The recent transfer of two aircraft from Nigeria to Iran has raised serious concerns within the international community due to the apparent violation of sanctions against Iran.
As reported by Business Day, the aircraft, an Airbus A340-600 registered as 5N-AAM and a Boeing 737-300 registered as 5N-YSM, were allegedly smuggled to Mahan Air by Azman Air without the knowledge of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).
Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection at the NCAA, stated that the agency intends to contact the Civil Aviation Authority of the Islamic Republic of Iran (CAA.IRI) to clarify the status of the aircraft.
Achimugu also mentioned that the NCAA will investigate Azman Air for the alleged deactivation of aircraft transponders, although such an action did not take place under Nigerian jurisdiction, according to a report by <a href="https://aeroin.net/avioes-que-desligaram-o-transponder-para-sumir-no-ira-preocupam-autoridades-nigerianas/">Aeroin</a>.
The incident highlights a concerning possible circumvention of international restrictions by Mahan Air, representing an evasion of sanctions imposed on Iran. The aircraft, now stored in Tehran and Mehrabad, were sold without regard for existing international sanctions.
Reports from the Middle East Forum Observer indicated that Azman Air is just one of several companies involved in sanction-evasion operations across the African continent.
Companies like Macka Invest in Gambia and PT Asia Global Airlines in Indonesia have assisted Iranian airlines linked to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in acquiring aircraft, registering them in countries such as the Republic of Congo, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, and Gambia before smuggling them into Iran.
The A340-600 model is particularly attractive to Mahan Air due to its ease of maintenance, partly because of its use of Rolls Royce Trent 556-61 engines, which are easier to maintain compared to the U.S.-manufactured General Electric CFM56-5C4 engines used in smaller variants of the A340.
This dynamic reflects an ongoing challenge for the U.S. intelligence community, which needs to strengthen surveillance of aircraft movements in sub-Saharan Africa to prevent future sanctions evasions. The situation underscores the complexity of smuggling networks and the need for enhanced vigilance and international cooperation to reinforce sanctions enforcement.

Two aircraft illegally transferred from Nigeria to Iran by turning off their transponder

A historic flight, operated by an exclusively female crew, landed in the holy city of Mashhad, Iran, last Sunday. The flight, conducted on an Aseman Airlines Fokker 100 and piloted by Shahrzad Shams, one of the country’s pioneering aviators, carried 110 passengers on a journey significant for both the aviation sector and Iranian society.
Dubbed “Iran Banoo” (“Lady of Iran”), the flight marked the first occasion that an air journey to Mashhad, home to the revered Imam Reza sanctuary, was staffed exclusively by female crew and passengers, as reported by international media outlets.
This event coincided with the anniversary of the birth of Fatima al-Zahra, daughter of the Prophet Muhammad, a date celebrated as National Women’s/Mother’s Day in Iran. The initiative highlights the growing participation of women in Iran’s aviation sector, although the country remains in a state of alarm. Despite progress, women pilots remain a minority, according to the affiliated outlet <a href="https://aeroin.net/voo-historico-so-com-mulheres-a-bordo-aterrissou-na-cidade-sagrada-de-mashhad-no-ira/?amp">Aeroin</a>.
The progress of women in this field is exemplified by the career of Shahrzad Shams, recognized for her groundbreaking role as one of Iran’s first female pilots. This achievement follows the legacy of previous milestones, such as those of Neshat Jahandari and Forouz Firouzi, who made history in 2019 as the first women to operate a commercial flight in the Islamic Republic.
In a different context, Iran also recently witnessed the arrest of 27-year-old singer Parastoo Ahmady following a virtual YouTube concert where she performed without a hijab, defying the country’s strict moral laws. The concert, broadcast without dress restrictions, quickly drew public attention despite YouTube being restricted in Iran.
This event unfolds amid ongoing discussions about social regulations in the country, particularly after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s statements promising that the morality police would no longer “harass” women, delivered in a speech marking the second anniversary of Mahsa Amini’s death in custody.
These events reflect both the progress and current challenges within Iranian society, where issues of gender and individual freedoms remain central topics of transformation and debate.

Historic All-Female Crew Flight Lands in Mashhad, Iran

Beirut could become a new hub for the delivery of Iranian weapons to groups like Hezbollah, following the disruption of traditional land routes used by Tehran due to the fall of the Syrian regime.
<a href="https://www.thetimes.com/world/middle-east/article/iran-considers-airborne-supply-routes-for-proxy-forces" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to The Times</a>, Iran is reportedly considering the possibility of sending weapons directly through flights to Beirut&#8217;s Rafic Hariri International Airport. This strategic shift arises after direct flights between Tehran and Beirut were recently resumed, bypassing Syrian airspace due to rebel control in Damascus.
This potential aerial route, which would involve the smuggling of ballistic missiles and advanced weaponry, could constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon, jeopardizing the region&#8217;s fragile stability. According to reports cited by The Times, Beirut airport is already being used as a weapons depot by Hezbollah, raising concerns among airport employees and the international community.
In response, Israel has intensified its aerial surveillance and has warned that it will not permit the use of civilian facilities for military activities. According to statements by Israeli army spokesperson Daniel Hagari, any attempt to transport weapons via flights to Beirut will be treated as a direct threat. Additionally, there has been a reported increase in Israeli aerial patrols near the Lebanese airport.
The fall of Bashar al-Assad&#8217;s regime has dealt a blow to Iranian logistics, which historically relied on Syria as a land route to supply Hezbollah. However, Iran and its Lebanese ally are seeking new strategies to continue strengthening their alliance, thereby heightening tensions in a region already marked by prolonged conflicts. Analysts warn that transforming Beirut airport into a logistics hub could make it a military target, further impacting Lebanon&#8217;s fragile economy and security.

Beirut Airport: Iran’s Potential New Hub for Weapon Deliveries to Hezbollah

The ongoing issues with British Airways&#8217; (BA) Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet have forced the airline to suspend its flights to Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, as the popular connection to the Middle East will be removed from the airline&#8217;s network for the summer 2025 season.
British Airways had relaunched the London-Heathrow-Abu Dhabi route in April after a four-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, the company operates the route with a daily flight using the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
According to London Air Travel, British Airways will suspend its direct flight to Abu Dhabi for the entire summer 2025 season, which runs from March 30 to October 25, 2025. The company stated that it has been forced to cut several routes due to persistent issues with the Rolls-Royce Trent engines powering its fleet of 787 Dreamliners, <a href="https://aeroin.net/em-meio-a-crise-do-boeing-787-abu-dhabi-entra-na-lista-de-cortes-da-ba/">Aeroin</a> reported.
These reliability issues require engine maintenance earlier than expected, and supply chain challenges have exacerbated the situation, leaving aircraft grounded for much longer than planned, according to Paddle Your Own Kanoo.
British Airways tried to maintain its schedule by operating older Boeing 777s more frequently, but since the Rolls-Royce engine problems remain unresolved, the airline needed to allocate time for maintenance of these aircraft.
In November, the airline stated that problems with the Dreamliners were the reason for indefinitely suspending two popular routes between London Heathrow and Bahrain and Kuwait. Following public outcry, British Airways partially reversed this decision and will continue to operate three weekly flights to Bahrain at the start of the summer 2025 season.
Additionally, the airline will withdraw from Dallas-Fort Worth at the end of March 2025, but capacity will be absorbed by American Airlines, its partner in the transatlantic joint venture. At the same time, British Airways will reduce flights to Miami, has already suspended the route to Beijing, and has decreased its offerings to Hong Kong.
Last week, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) warned that supply chain issues had caused a 30% drop in new aircraft deliveries compared to a peak of 1,813 units in 2018.
The backlog of undelivered orders has reached an unprecedented figure of 17,000 aircraft, meaning airlines are operating fleets with a much higher average age than in previous years. If the delivery rate does not improve, IATA estimates it will take 14 years to clear this backlog of unfulfilled orders.

British Airways Halts Abu Dhabi Flights Amid Boeing 787 Dreamliner Issues

The Air Transport and Aerocommercial Affairs Directorate of the Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics (Aerocivil) of Colombia confirmed that Qatar Airways has requested authorization to operate regular flights between Doha (DOH) and Bogotá (BOG), with a technical stop in Caracas (CCS). The airline proposed two weekly frequencies on this route, relying on traffic rights up to the fourth freedom of the air.
According to the document issued by Aerocivil, the service would be operated using Boeing 777-300ER and Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. This step is part of the administrative process to evaluate the viability of the operation, subject to current regulations and the requirements established by the Colombian entity.
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/solicitud-qatar-bogota.jpeg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-349404" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/solicitud-qatar-bogota.jpeg" alt="" width="1232" height="1639" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/solicitud-qatar-bogota.jpeg 1232w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/solicitud-qatar-bogota-226x300.jpeg 226w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/solicitud-qatar-bogota-677x900.jpeg 677w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/solicitud-qatar-bogota-768x1022.jpeg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/solicitud-qatar-bogota-1155x1536.jpeg 1155w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/solicitud-qatar-bogota-150x200.jpeg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1232px) 100vw, 1232px" /></a>
This request marks progress in Qatar Airways&#8217; plans to expand its presence in Latin America. In November 2024, the airline requested slots at Bogotá&#8217;s El Dorado International Airport to begin operations in June 2025. Although initially planning four weekly frequencies, the request submitted to Aerocivil contemplates two weekly flights, indicating an adjustment in the airline’s operational strategy.
If approved, this route would be Qatar Airways&#8217; first regular passenger operation in Colombia, enhancing connectivity options with the Middle East.
Currently, Qatar Airways operates two daily flights between Doha and São Paulo/Guarulhos, one with an Airbus A350-1000 and the other with a Boeing 777-200LR. Additionally, the airline serves multiple cities in North America, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington-Dulles, Houston-Intercontinental, New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago-O’Hare, Seattle, San Francisco, and Montreal.
Before the pandemic, Qatar Airways also operated flights to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a stop in São Paulo. However, despite announcing in March 2023 that it would return in December, the airline <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2023/09/qatar-airways-postpones-return-to-argentina-and-trims-capacity-to-brazil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ultimately postponed this decision without setting a new date</a>.
<div class="entry-content">
It is worth noting that Qatar Airways and LATAM maintain a codeshare agreement, which could open LATAM’s Latin American destinations to the Middle Eastern airline, expanding its network in the region. This would create a competitive offer against the current market penetration of Emirates in Latin America, which operates flights to <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/emirates-llega-con-clase-premium-economy-a-ee-uu-y-colombia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colombia</a>, Brazil, and Argentina.
</div>
<h3>Administrative process and next steps</h3>
In line with the publicity principle established by Aerocivil, information related to this request will be available for three business days on the entity’s website, allowing interested parties to submit observations or comments.
The final decision will depend on a technical evaluation and the terms of the bilateral agreement between Colombia and Qatar, which governs traffic rights and air frequencies between the two countries.

Doha-Bogota Flights: Qatar Airways Submits Route Proposal to Aerocivil

<a style="color: #800080;" href="https://www.qatarairways.com/en/homepage.html?CID=SXALL23456934M&amp;account=Google-Global-Global-EN-Brand&amp;campaign=Global-Brand-Hero-EN_exact&amp;adgroup=qatar+airways&amp;term=qatar+airways&amp;&amp;&amp;&amp;&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiAvP-6BhDyARIsAJ3uv7ZsSuXZdhcn0LACVtRHhRoWbe_6J7RRtNsGK1SUGilM0VyMZN88DysaAlIeEALw_wcB&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Qatar Airways</a> will resume its operations to Canberra, enhancing connectivity and increasing competition to the benefit of travelers in the Australian capital. This service had been suspended due to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Gulf carrier will be the second foreign airline to offer flights to Canberra, following Fiji Airways.
The Doha-Canberra route will operate daily with a stop in Melbourne, providing access to over 170 destinations through Qatar Airways&#8217; global network. Flights will begin in December 2025 and will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, equipped with the Q-suite product and Starlink Wi-Fi.
«We are delighted to once again serve Canberra. The nation’s capital, Australia’s political heart, rightly expects a variety of international airlines to service it, and I am proud that we can play our part in that. Whether traveling for business, government services, or leisure, our commitment to Australia and Canberra will bring much-needed healthy competition to the market and greater choice for passengers,» said Mohammed Al-Meer, Chief Executive of Qatar Airways Group.
«The return of Qatar Airways marks an exciting and pivotal moment for Canberra and our surrounding regions. This service not only provides more than a million residents with access to a global network spanning over 170 destinations but also invites the world to rediscover Canberra’s unique cultural, educational, and tourism offerings,» noted Stephen Byron, Chief Executive of Canberra Airport.
The resumption of flights to Canberra adds to the recent launch of new Virgin Australia flights from Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, and Melbourne to Doha, connecting to more than 100 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. These services will be operated using Qatar Airways aircraft.
The partnership between Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia is pending final regulatory approval. Among the benefits of this alliance are greater opportunities to earn and redeem miles in the Velocity Frequent Flyer and Qatar Airways Privilege Club loyalty programs. Additionally, eligible passengers will have access to mutual lounge benefits.
Qatar Airways continues to work closely with Virgin Australia to advance the remaining regulatory approvals for this partnership.
<h4>Current Qatar Airways schedule in Australia</h4>
<ul>
<li>Melbourne: two daily flights on Boeing 777-300ER</li>
<li>Sydney: daily flights on Airbus A380</li>
<li>Adelaide: daily flights on Airbus A350-900</li>
<li>Brisbane: daily flights on Boeing 777-300ER</li>
<li>Perth: daily flights on Airbus A380</li>
</ul>
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/qatar-airways-launches-non-stop-flights-to-toronto-with-starlink-equipped-aircraft/">Qatar Airways launched its nonstop flights to Toronto offering Starlink Wi-Fi</a>

Qatar Airways Expands Australian Operations: New Route to Canberra with Q-suite Service

Qatar Airways is considering canceling an order for twenty-five B737-10 aircraft, according to Bloomberg. This order was placed in mid-2022, amid a conflict between the airline and Airbus.
However, since then, the relationship between Qatar Airways and Airbus has improved, and the 737 MAX 10 variant is no longer considered necessary. Currently, the 737-10 is expected to enter service only by the end of 2025, as its certification has been delayed for several years.
Instead, the airline might opt to exchange the B737-10s for B737-8s, which could be delivered to RwandAir, a company in which Qatar Airways recently acquired a 49% stake, and Virgin Australia, in which Qatar Airways seeks to acquire a 25% stake. Both airlines currently operate B737-8 aircraft.
The order for the B737-10s, as reported by our partner outlet <a href="https://aeroin.net/qatar-esta-considerando-cancelar-pedido-de-vinte-e-cinco-aeronaves-boeing-737-10/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AEROIN</a>, was placed amid a dispute between Qatar Airways and Airbus over peeling paint issues on the A350. At that time, the airline&#8217;s refusal to accept deliveries led the manufacturer to cancel an order for fifty A321neos and twenty-three A350-900s. Later, both parties resolved the disagreement, and the order was reinstated.
In addition to the B737-10s, Qatar Airways currently has 175 aircraft on order. These include fifty A321neos, eighteen A350-1000s, one 777-300ER, one 777-8F, sixty 777-9s, and twelve B787-9s.
Qatar Airways primarily operates wide-body aircraft. Its narrow-body fleet is limited to twenty-nine A320s used on regional routes. The airline also has nine B737-8s, introduced in mid-2023. However, none of these operate directly for Qatar Airways: six are leased to IndiGo Airlines, while the other three are in storage.

Qatar Airways Considering Canceling Order for 25 Boeing 737 MAX 10

<a href="https://www.qatarairways.com/en/homepage.html?CID=SXALL23456934M&amp;account=Google-Global-Global-EN-Brand&amp;campaign=Global-Brand-Hero-EN_exact&amp;adgroup=qatar+airways&amp;term=qatar+airways&amp;&amp;&amp;&amp;&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gclid=CjwKCAiAmfq6BhAsEiwAX1jsZ-haAbqz-gfrqmEtzOQfjSfP5xiZBx5RTkNceB223Ld0Qc_ENl6WZhoCeYcQAvD_BwE&amp;gclsrc=aw.ds">Qatar Airways </a>has commenced non-stop flights to Toronto-Pearson, introducing the novelty of operating with aircraft equipped with internet access via Starlink. This new route complements the airline&#8217;s daily operations to Montreal, a destination it has served since 2011, having already transported 1.6 million passengers.
Flight QR 767 was operated by a Boeing 777 registered as A7-BAF, which departed from Hamad International Airport at 08:39 local time on December 11 and landed at Lester B. Pearson International Airport at 14:29 after a flight time of thirteen hours and fifty minutes. With this service, all three major Gulf airlines now operate in Toronto.
The new route to Toronto provides customers in Canada and other countries access to the destinations within Qatar Airways&#8217; extensive global network. The airline completed the installation of Starlink on twelve Boeing 777 aircraft ahead of the scheduled completion date of late 2024, with fourteen aircraft upgraded in under 55 days.
“Qatar Airways extends a warm welcome to the vibrant and diverse city of Toronto as the latest destination to join our extensive network of over 170 destinations. As our second gateway in Canada, this launch underscores our unwavering commitment to offering Canadian travelers unparalleled service and seamless connectivity,” said Badr Mohammed Al-Meer, Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive.
«We are excited to have Qatar Airways begin operations at Toronto Pearson. This highly anticipated route from Toronto Pearson opens up an exciting range of destinations for passengers looking to travel to the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Global connectivity is strategically important for Canada and for Pearson, as international travel demand grows rapidly, and this route adds to the variety of convenient and accessible flight options for our passengers,” added Deborah Flint, President and CEO of Toronto Pearson.
Toronto-Pearson is Canada’s leading airport in terms of passenger traffic and offers the largest number of international destinations of any airport in North America, making it a key hub for travelers. Toronto, as Canada’s largest city and the fourth-largest in North America, is home to a variety of communities originating from China, India, Pakistan, and the Philippines.
In addition to Toronto, Qatar Airways offers regular passenger services to Atlanta, Boston, Chicago O’Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston-Intercontinental, Los Angeles, Miami, New York-JFK, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, and Montreal.
<h4>Flight schedule between Doha (DOH) and Toronto (YYZ)</h4>
<ul>
<li>Flight QR 767: DOH 08:10 &#8211; YYZ 14:15 Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Flight QR 768: YYZ 20:00 &#8211; DOH 16:30+1 Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday.</li>
</ul>
See also: <a style="color: #ffcc00;" href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/12/virgin-australia-launches-new-flights-to-doha-with-qatar-airways-qsuites/">Virgin Australia begins selling its flights to Doha in partnership with Qatar</a>

Qatar Airways Launches Non-Stop Flights to Toronto with Starlink-Equipped Aircraft

Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) is facing a severe crisis, with half of its fleet of 34 aircraft currently grounded due to the lack of essential parts and components.
According to the Indian press, among the affected aircraft, seven of the 12 Boeing 777s and seven of the 17 Airbus A320s are out of service. The airline’s small ATR fleet is also under pressure, with only two of five aircraft in operation, reported <a href="https://aeroin.net/enfrentando-crise-grave-pia-tem-metade-da-frota-de-avioes-inoperante-devido-a-falta-de-pecas/">Aeroin</a>.
The lack of critical parts such as engines, landing gear, and auxiliary power units (APU) is the main reason for the grounding. PIA sources indicate that the shortage of funds and the absence of proper agreements by the relevant ministries are the primary causes of this components deficit.
<h4>Operational efficiency affected</h4>
This situation severely impacts the operational efficiency of PIA, which is attempting to resume flights to Europe on January 10 after a four-year ban. However, the current situation could cause delays in planning the resumption of services, initially scheduled with two weekly flights to Paris.
This is not the airline’s only concern. The lack of components further complicates the privatization process of the state-owned company, whose commission had been trying to sell 60% of the shares to private investors.
Earlier this year, the privatization attempt failed, attracting only one bid of 10 billion PKR, far below the reserve price, which led to the proposal&#8217;s rejection and the decision to hold a new bidding round.
<h4>Symbol of national pride</h4>
PIA, launched in the 1960s as a symbol of national pride, has struggled for years with mismanagement, political interference, and overstaffing, accumulating debts of around $3 billion.
Last year, the company reported losses of $270 million. Additionally, the aging of its fleet is also a persistent issue, causing flight cancellations and rescheduling due to debts owed to the state-owned oil company, Pakistan State Oil.

PIA’s Operational Struggles: Aging Fleet and Critical Component Shortages

Virgin Australia resumes its long-haul flights in partnership with Qatar Airways, offering Australian customers more travel options with access to over 100 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. At the end of November, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission granted temporary authorization to the partnership between the two airlines.
The company has started selling tickets for flights from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha starting in June 2025, with a connection to Melbourne expected to commence later next year. These services will be operated by the Australian airline using Qatar Airways Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, featuring the QSuites product in Business Class.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-348487 size-full" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/VADOH.gif" alt="" width="720" height="360" />
The alliance between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways, pending final regulatory approval, positions Virgin Australia to compete strongly in the international travel market while simultaneously enhancing its strategic position domestically, offering greater competition, improved connectivity, and a broader range of options for customers.
Not only do travelers benefit; the new Virgin Australia services also promote tourism, employment, and Australian businesses. It is projected that over the next five years, due to the increase in visitors, more than 3 billion dollars will be injected into the economy, generating more jobs and opportunities along the way.
<h4>Flight schedule between Brisbane (BNE) and Doha (DOH)</h4>
Starting June 19, 2025
<ul>
<li>Flight VA 15: BNE 15:10 &#8211; DOH 23:00 daily flights</li>
<li>Flight VA 16: DOH 01:40 &#8211; BNE 22:45 daily flights</li>
</ul>
<h4>Flight schedule between Perth (PER) and Doha (DOH)</h4>
Starting June 26, 2025
<ul>
<li>Flight VA 21: PER 15:20 &#8211; DOH 21:50 daily flights</li>
<li>Flight VA 22: DOH 19:50 &#8211; PER 11:55+1 daily flights</li>
</ul>
<h4>Flight schedule between Sydney (SYD) and Doha (DOH)</h4>
Starting June 12, 2025
<ul>
<li>Flight VA 1: SYD 14:50 &#8211; DOH 22:50 daily flights</li>
<li>Flight VA 2: DOH 09:15 &#8211; SYD 06:15+1 daily flights</li>
</ul>
“For Virgin Australia, this gives us the opportunity to begin long-haul flights, something we haven’t been able to do in the last four and a half years. Our 28 new weekly services to Doha will open up a world of opportunities for those looking to travel abroad, as more passengers will be able to connect to over 100 destinations worldwide through Qatar&#8217;s network”, said Jayne Hrdlicka, CEO of Virgin Australia.
See also: <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/virgin-australia-and-qatar-airways-secure-accc-approval-for-new-alliance/">The Competition Commission authorizes the Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways alliance</a>

Virgin Australia Launches New Flights to Doha with Qatar Airways’ QSuites

<a href="https://www.saudia.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Saudia</a> and the Air France-KLM Group signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening cooperation in maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO), as well as in commercial agreements.
The signing ceremony took place in the presence of French President Emmanuel Macron and included various authorities, such as the Chairman of the Board of Saudi Arabian Airlines Corporation, Eng. Saleh Al-Jasser, and the CEO of the Saudia Group, Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar. On behalf of the companies, the agreement was signed by Captain Fahd Cynndy, CEO of Saudia Technic, and Anne Brachet, Executive Vice President of Air France-KLM Engineering &amp; Maintenance.
<a href="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-347413" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron.jpg" alt="" width="1500" height="1000" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron.jpg 1500w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron-300x200.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron-1350x900.jpg 1350w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron-768x512.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/12/saudia-air-france-macron-150x100.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></a>
Location of MRO capabilities in the Kingdom
According to Saudia, the agreement aims to strengthen its local maintenance capabilities, including GE90 engine module assembly and disassembly tasks, used on Boeing 777 aircraft. The Saudi airline details that it will assign at least 50% of these work orders to Air France-KLM in exchange for localization processes in Saudi Arabia. In addition, both parties will explore the creation of a joint venture for GEnx engines, installed on Boeing 787s.
Saudia also highlights its current capability to maintain CFM LEAP-1A engines, used on the Airbus A320neo family, as a demonstration of its development in the MRO sector.
Expansion of commercial agreements and connectivity
In the commercial field, the MOU includes the expansion of the codeshare agreement between Saudia and Air France-KLM, members of the SkyTeam alliance. This effort will increase available domestic and international routes, as well as improve connectivity and flight frequency. Additionally, it aims to optimize Saudia&#8217;s operations at Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, with the goal of enhancing operational efficiency and passenger experience.
Strategic vision aligned with Saudi Vision 2030
Eng. Ibrahim Al-Omar, CEO of Saudia Group, stated that “this agreement reflects the visionary leadership of the Saudia Group board, led by its chairman, H.E. Engr. Saleh Al-Jasser, Minister of Transport and Logistics. It is aligned with the Saudi Aviation Strategy and demonstrates our commitment to advancing the Kingdom’s aviation sector.”
For his part, Benjamin Smith, CEO of Air France-KLM, emphasized that “Saudia is a historic partner of Air France-KLM. In the context of Saudi Arabia&#8217;s accelerated development, we see a mutual interest in expanding our commercial cooperation and sharing expertise, especially in strategic activities like MRO.”
<h4>Flights between France, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia</h4>
Currently, air connectivity between France, the Netherlands, and Saudi Arabia is covered by KLM, Saudia, Transavia France, and Flynas.
Saudia
<ul>
<li>Jeddah &#8211; Paris-CDG: one daily flight with Boeing 787-8 / 787-9</li>
<li>Madinah &#8211; Paris-CDG: one weekly flight with Boeing 787-9.</li>
<li>Riyadh &#8211; Paris-CDG: one daily flight with Boeing 777-300.</li>
<li>Jeddah &#8211; Amsterdam: four weekly flights with Boeing 787-8 / 787-9.</li>
</ul>
Transavia France (part of the Air France-KLM group)
<ul>
<li>Lyon &#8211; Jeddah: one weekly flight with Boeing 737-800.</li>
<li>Paris-Orly &#8211; Jeddah: two weekly flights with Boeing 737-800.</li>
</ul>
Flynas
<ul>
<li>Jeddah &#8211; Marseille: three weekly flights with Airbus A320neo.</li>
</ul>
KLM
<ul>
<li>Amsterdam &#8211; Riyadh: six weekly flights with Airbus A330-200 / A330-300.</li>
</ul>
This represents a total offer of around 18,000 seats per week.
&nbsp;

Saudi Arabian Airlines and Air France-KLM Forge New Strategic Aviation Agreement

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has granted a temporary authorization to Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways, facilitating participation in collaborative behavior within the framework of a unified alliance.
Additionally, the ACCC has accepted a court-enforceable undertaking from Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways regarding the behavior. With the provisional permission, both airlines have the possibility to begin marketing 28 weekly round-trip flights scheduled between Doha and Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.
The new services will complement Qatar Airways&#8217; existing operations. The airlines requested urgent authorization to allow Virgin Australia to start operating its new Australia-Doha services from Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane in June 2025, with services from Perth estimated to commence in November 2025.
«We consider that granting provisional authorization now will give Qatar Airways and Virgin Australia the necessary time to conduct planning, marketing, sales, and system alignment discussions in preparation for Virgin Australia to begin operating the new services in June 2025,» said Keogh Chair, ACCC Deputy Chair.
The new services will be provided under the final regulatory approval of the ACCC and other government entities. The commitment accepted by the ACCC ensures that, if final regulatory approval is not ultimately granted, customers who have booked these proposed new services will be protected.
The ACCC has not reached a definitive decision regarding the authorization request. The parties argue that the agreements will generate public benefits in terms of optimized products and services. This includes an increase in capacity between Qatar and Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth. The ACCC must evaluate the benefits and balance them against potential public harm to make a final decision.
According to the proposed agreements, Virgin Australia would use Qatar Airways aircraft and equipment to operate the new services via Wet Lease.

Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways Secure ACCC Approval for New Alliance

Despite the celebratory framework <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/emirates-welcomes-its-first-airbus-a350-900-a-new-era-for-the-airlines-fleet/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surrounding the delivery of Emirates&#8217; first Airbus A350</a>, the airline&#8217;s president, Tim Clark, also took the opportunity to renew his criticism of Boeing over the delays in the entry into service of the Boeing 777X.
In statements made to the press on-site, and as reported by Reuters, Clark described Emirates as a «frustrated entity«, given that by now they should have a fleet of 86 Boeing 777-9s if Boeing had met its delivery commitments. He emphasized that, as an airline with an expansionist character, this situation has «clipped their wings.»
Focusing solely on the new generation of the 777, <a href="https://www.emirates.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emirates</a> has orders for 170 B777-9s and 35 B777-8s, in addition to pending deliveries from Boeing for another 16 B787-8s, 15 B787-10s, and 18 B777-200LRFs. Reuters reported that when asked if they planned to reevaluate their orders with Boeing given the delays (further worsened by the strike that paralyzed Boeing’s plants in the Seattle area), Clark said that for now, they are simply waiting and observing.
«I hope that with the $21 billion they just injected into the company and the end of the strike, they are now working over the coming months to figure out what they’re going to do. We are watching this very closely,» added Clark. Boeing&#8217;s latest information indicates that the first 777X delivery will occur in 2026.
Last month, Tim Clark had already stated that «Emirates has had to make major and extremely costly modifications to our fleet plans as a result of Boeing’s multiple contractual breaches,» and that «given Boeing’s current situation, I don’t see how they can make realistic projections about delivery dates.» The executive had previously mentioned in July, during the Farnborough Airshow, that he did not foresee the 777X entering commercial service before 2026.
According to data collected by Aviacionline via Cirium Fleets Analyzer, both versions of the 777X have accumulated 481 firm orders, in addition to options and letters of intent for another 202 aircraft. Emirates Airlines is the main customer, followed by Qatar Airways with 104 aircraft and Lufthansa with 27.

Tim Clark Criticizes Boeing Over 777X Delays Amid Emirates’ A350 Celebration

Qatar Airways will continue operating year-round flights to Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport (AGP), Spain. It will be the only airline from the Middle East to offer this schedule.
Since its launch in 2019 and <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2021/06/qatar-airways-regresa-a-malaga/">return in 2021</a>, the route has grown from two weekly flights to daily flights, although only during the summer season. In a new step forward, Qatar Airways will now maintain Doha (DOH) &#8211; Málaga year-round with three weekly flights using Boeing 787-8 aircraft configured for 254 passengers. This information was observed in the company’s reservation system.
During the summer season, Qatar Airways will increase it&#8217;s offering to five weekly flights in June and September, and seven weekly flights in July and August, thus providing 100,000 seats annually.
According to Aena Estadísticas, between March and October 2024, the airline carried 57,573 passengers in Málaga.
<h4>Middle Eastern airlines booming in Málaga</h4>
Following the COVID-19 health crisis, <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2021/07/auge-en-malaga-cinco-aerolineas-del-golfo-compiten-en-el-aeropuerto-costa-del-sol/">Málaga has attracted a wide variety of Middle Eastern airlines</a>, becoming their third-largest market in Spain after Madrid (MAD) and Barcelona (BCN). Each summer season, five major Gulf airlines have launched operations at Málaga-Costa del Sol Airport, showcasing the market’s significant potential.
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-346374" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Flightmap-DOH-AGP-BAH-AUH-AGP-JED_KWI-AGP.png" alt="" width="1200" height="600" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-DOH-AGP-BAH-AUH-AGP-JED_KWI-AGP.png 1200w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-DOH-AGP-BAH-AUH-AGP-JED_KWI-AGP-300x150.png 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-DOH-AGP-BAH-AUH-AGP-JED_KWI-AGP-768x384.png 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/Flightmap-DOH-AGP-BAH-AUH-AGP-JED_KWI-AGP-150x75.png 150w" sizes="(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px" />
&nbsp;
Qatar Airways will remain, for now, the only airline maintaining year-round flights. Etihad Airways, operating from Abu Dhabi, ranks as the second most important and is set to <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/11/vuelos-a-espana-etihad-airways-proyecta-un-importante-incremento-en-su-oferta-de-asientos/">increase its operations from three to five weekly flights</a> with Boeing 787-9 aircraft by 2025. Following that, <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/02/kuwait-airways-madrid-espana/">Kuwait Airways</a> offers three weekly flights, deploying its impressive Boeing 777-300 (ER). Gulf Air, based in Bahrain (BAH), and SAUDIA, based in Jeddah (JED), operate with Boeing 787-9 aircraft, offering three and four weekly flights, respectively. Together, they complete the roster of Middle Eastern airlines serving Málaga.
Lastly, Emirates remains notably absent. Operating from Dubai, it is one of the leading Middle Eastern airlines in Spain, even deploying Airbus A380s in Barcelona and Madrid. However, the company’s pending orders for Boeing 787-8 and -10 aircraft, which have a lower seating density compared to the A380, Boeing 777, and A350, may eventually allow it to serve Málaga.

Qatar Airways Becomes Sole Year-Round Middle East Carrier to Málaga

Emirates received its first Airbus A350-900, registered as A6-EXA, marking the initial unit of the 65 that will be incorporated into the airline in the coming years. This is the first new type of aircraft to join the Gulf carrier since 2008: prior to receiving this model, Emirates&#8217; fleet consisted of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s.
The aircraft was delivered to Emirates on November 25 and embarked on a ferry flight from Airbus’ plant in Toulouse at 4:00 PM local time bound for Dubai. Once the Emirates A350 arrives at its base, it will undergo inspections by Emirates Engineering before being officially unveiled in a special ceremony later this week.
The delivery flight of Emirates&#8217; A350 was powered by a blend of traditional fuel and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The aircraft is set to officially enter commercial service in January, with its inaugural flight to Edinburgh in the United Kingdom, followed by Kuwait and Bahrain in the Middle East; Lyon and Bologna in Europe; and Colombo, Ahmedabad, and Mumbai in South Asia.
The A350-900 has a capacity for 312 seats across three classes: 32 in Business Class, 21 in Premium Economy, and 259 in Economy.
&nbsp;

Emirates Welcomes Its First Airbus A350-900: A New Era for the Airline’s Fleet

As part of its long-term expansion plan, <a href="https://www.etihad.com/en/">Etihad Airways</a> expands its network with 10 new routes. Last week, the company announced that a major announcement was coming in this regard, although no hints were given about the destinations.
The introduction of the Airbus A321LR allows for the opening of new medium-haul services, as well as increasing flights on existing routes. The Gulf airline had previously announced three destinations: El Dabaa (El Alamein) (Egypt), Prague (Czech Republic), and Warsaw (Poland).
The opening of Terminal A at Zayed International Airport will allow Abu Dhabi to consolidate its position as a global hub, competing with Dubai and Doha. This new facility has the capacity to handle up to 45 million passengers per year.
“Today, the energy at Etihad&#8217;s headquarters was electrifying as we revealed the 10 new destinations that will join our route map. We want to extend a huge thank you to all the teams working behind the scenes to plan this. Their hard work is the reason we can make it happen. Transformation has never been this fun!” said Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer of Etihad Airways.
<h4>New Etihad routes for 2025</h4>
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Algiers (Algeria): four weekly flights on Airbus A321LR starting November 7</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Atlanta (United States): four weekly flights on Airbus A350-1000 starting July 2. This is the airline&#8217;s fifth destination in the U.S., complementing New York-JFK, Chicago O’Hare, Washington-Dulles, and Boston.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Chiang Mai (Thailand): four weekly flights on Airbus A321LR starting November 3</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Hanoi (Vietnam): six weekly flights on Airbus A321LR starting November 3</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Hong Kong: five weekly flights on Boeing 787-9 starting November 3</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Krabi (Thailand): one daily flight on Airbus A321LR starting October 9</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Medan Kualanamu (Saudi Arabia)</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Phnom Penh (Cambodia): four weekly flights on Airbus A321LR starting October 3</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Taipei (Taiwan): one daily flight on Boeing 787-9 starting September 7</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400">Tunis: three weekly flights on Airbus A321LR starting November 1</li>
</ul>

Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways Unveils New Destinations with Airbus A321LR

The Israeli airline El Al has acquired a Boeing 777 airframe to ensure the availability of spare engines for its fleet. This announcement was made during the presentation of its third-quarter financial results.
The company reported that the aircraft was purchased from a «foreign company» for $7.3 million, without disclosing the specific origin. The purpose of this acquisition is to dismantle the aircraft to increase the number of engines compatible with its current fleet.
Currently, El Al operates six Boeing 777-200ERs, all equipped with Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines. Of these, two are out of service. Initially, the airline had withdrawn these two units in 2021 but decided to reintegrate one of them into operations, as reported by our partner outlet, <a href="https://aeroin.net/em-meio-a-falta-de-avioes-aerea-de-israel-compra-boeing-777-mas-nao-vai-voar-com-ele-e-sim-desmonta-lo/?amp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AEROIN</a>.
The decision to reactivate the 777 is linked to the «lack of aircraft availability in the market,» which has hindered the progress of its commercial strategy. This situation is recognized worldwide, as supply chain issues and other factors have delayed deliveries from major manufacturers.
Additionally, El Al is upgrading other 777 models, reconfiguring them to accommodate 313 seats, and may consider extending this modification to another unit. The airline expects to receive an additional Boeing 787-9 before the end of the year, bringing its fleet of this model to 17 aircraft.

El Al Acquires Boeing 777 Airframe to Secure Spare Engines Amid Global Aircraft Shortage

According to information provided by the Civil Aeronautics of Colombia (Aerocivil), Qatar Airways has requested a daily slot at El Dorado Airport in Bogotá to start passenger flights between Doha and Bogotá beginning in May 2025. This request was made during the 155th IATA Slots Conference held this week in Singapore.
«This new route will facilitate the connection between both destinations, boosting tourism and trade. Additionally, it will provide Colombian travelers with direct access to Asia and the Middle East, becoming a new gateway for tourists to Colombia,» Aerocivil stated.
The agency confirmed that it will hold working sessions to ensure compliance with operational requirements and the necessary authorizations to materialize this flight. While the information from the Colombian aeronautical authority indicates that the route would be operated with the Boeing 777X, it is evident that the operations set to begin in May 2025 will require another aircraft, as the Boeing 777-9 (of which Qatar Airways has 60 units on order) has an uncertain certification and Entry into Service date, but not before 2026.
Currently, Qatar Airways operates two daily flights between Doha and São Paulo/Guarulhos, one with an Airbus A350-1000 and another with a Boeing 777-200LR. Additionally, the airline flies to several cities in North America, including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Washington-Dulles, Houston-Intercontinental, New York-JFK, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago-O&#8217;Hare, Seattle, San Francisco, and Montreal.
Before the pandemic, Qatar Airways also flew to Buenos Aires, Argentina, with a stop in São Paulo. However, despite announcing in March 2023 that it would resume service in December, <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2023/09/qatar-airways-postpones-return-to-argentina-and-trims-capacity-to-brazil/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">this decision was postponed indefinitely</a>, with no new date confirmed.
<figure id="attachment_345940" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-345940" style="width: 798px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-345940" src="http://aviacionline.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/qatar-airways-red-america-noviembre-2024.jpg" alt="Qatar Airways Network in the Americas - November 2024 (Cirium Schedule Mapper)" width="808" height="600" srcset="https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/qatar-airways-red-america-noviembre-2024.jpg 808w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/qatar-airways-red-america-noviembre-2024-300x223.jpg 300w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/qatar-airways-red-america-noviembre-2024-768x570.jpg 768w, https://aviacionlinecdn.eleco.com.ar/media/2024/11/qatar-airways-red-america-noviembre-2024-150x111.jpg 150w" sizes="(max-width: 808px) 100vw, 808px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-345940" class="wp-caption-text">Qatar Airways Network in the Americas &#8211; November 2024 (Cirium Schedule Mapper)</figcaption></figure>
It is worth noting that Qatar Airways and LATAM maintain a codeshare agreement, which could open LATAM&#8217;s Latin American destinations to the Middle Eastern airline, expanding its connection network in the region. This move would directly compete with the market penetration currently held by Emirates in Latin America, which flies to <a href="https://aviacionline.com/2024/09/emirates-llega-con-clase-premium-economy-a-ee-uu-y-colombia/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Colombia</a>, Brazil, and Argentina.

Middle East