beOnd, the world’s first premium leisure airline, is expanding its network with the addition of 18 new destinations from its hub in the Maldives. The new routes, launching through 2025 and into 2026, will connect the Maldives to cities across Europe, Asia, India, and the Middle East. This expansion is a response to increasing demand from premium leisure travellers seeking more elevated travel to the Maldives — one where the journey itself is part of the experience. Schedules are carefully tailored to maximise comfort, convenience, and the unique experiences that define the beOnd brand. New Destinations, Luxurious Journeys Planned service from the Maldives include: Europe Asia India Middle East 1. Paris 2. Vienna 3. Düsseldorf 4. Rome 5. Warsaw 1. Bangkok 2. Seoul 3. Beijing 4. Shanghai 5. Guangzhou 1. Mumbai 2. Delhi 3. Bangalore 4. Hyderabad 1. Kuwait 2. Bahrain 3. Jeddah 4. Abu Dhabi Certain planned services....
Emirates has signed eight Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) on the first day of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) with the Tourism Boards of Sharjah, The Philippines, Maldives, Visit Britain, Thailand, Japan National Tourist Organization (JNTO), Uganda and Hungary. These agreements demonstrate the airline’s commitment to attract more travelers across its extensive network of more than 140 destinations to experience each locale's distinctive sights, culture and attractions, as well as boosting tourism to the wider UAE through strategic collaborations. Emirates and Sharjah Commerce & Tourism Authority (SCTDA), will work together to jointly promote tourism and boost visitor arrivals to the UAE emirate of Sharjah. The new partnership, which takes effect today, will see Emirates and SCTDA explore and implement promotional activities and offer bespoke packages for tour operators and the wider travel trade in key markets. Emirates and SCTDA will also explore opportunities to create unique products and packages marketed directly to Emirates’ customers via ‘Dubai Experience’ on....
Changi Airport Group (CAG) awarded IndiGo the *Partner of the Year* title at the 18th Changi Airline Awards, held at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore. The annual event recognizes airlines and aviation partners that play a key role in advancing the Changi air hub. The award recognizes IndiGo's impressive growth at Changi Airport since launching services to Singapore in 2011, with the airline now ranking as Changi’s fifth largest foreign carrier by passenger traffic. As a key partner, IndiGo has collaborated closely with CAG and contributed significantly to boosting traffic between India and Singapore. IndiGo now operates 75 weekly services between India and Singapore, which is 53% more compared to pre-Covid levels. Besides direct services to Singapore, IndiGo has, through its codeshare partnership with Qantas, facilitated seamless connectivity between India and Australia via Changi, registering a nine-fold increase in transfer traffic in the last year. IndiGo also partnered CAG on a....
Saudia Group has disclosed an order with Airbus for 10 A330-900 aircraft for its subsidiary flyadeal. It marks the first widebody order for the subsidiary and paves the way for new long-haul services and enhanced passenger experience, whilst advancing the airline’s goal of operating the youngest fleet among the Middle East’s low-cost airlines. The agreement was announced at a signing ceremony held at Airbus’ facilities in Toulouse in the presence of His Excellency Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar, Director General of Saudia Group, Christian Scherer, CEO Commercial Aircraft at Airbus, Saleh Eid, Vice President of Fleet Management and Agreements at Saudia Group and Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales Commercial Aircraft at Airbus. H.E. Engr. Ibrahim Al-Omar stated: "This deal marks a pivotal milestone in our ambitious strategy to modernise and expand our fleet. It builds on last year’s historic deal with Airbus for 105 aircraft. This step aligns with our national strategies....
The British government has awarded a £165 million contract extension to Italian defense firm Leonardo for maintaining the Royal Navy's fleet of 54 Merlin helicopters. This move reflects the UK's commitment to increasing defense spending. Under Keir Starmer's administration, the UK plans to raise military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027. The deal with Leonardo is seen as a step towards enhancing national security. "This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to maintaining cutting-edge defense capabilities that keep us safe, while utilizing defense as an engine for economic growth," stated Maria Eagle, the minister for defense procurement and industry. Leonardo announced that the contract extension will support 1,000 jobs, including 200 at its Yeovil factory in Somerset and 800 across the broader UK supply chain. It will also sustain jobs at the Royal Navy's airbase in Culdrose, Cornwall. The Ministry of Defence describes the Merlin helicopters as "submarine hunters" capable....
Bombardier Defense is pleased to announce that Principle Finance, a renowned provider of customized operating lease for aircraft in Australia, has acquired two Bombardier Challenger 650 aircraft destined for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions in Australia. The delivery of both aircraft is planned for 2026. “This purchase represents a major milestone for Bombardier Defense, increasing our presence in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Our aircraft are the platform of choice not only due to their reach, persistence and performance, but also due to the large accessibility of our services and support ecosystem in the country,” says Jean-Christophe Gallagher, Executive Vice President, Aircraft Sales & Bombardier Defense. “We are excited to integrate the Bombardier Challenger 650 into our fleet, leveraging its exceptional performance and reliability, which will play a crucial role in our future operations. This platform allows us to enhance our surveillance reach and effectiveness, ensuring we stay ahead in the rapidly evolving defense landscape,”....
AAR CORP., a leading provider of aviation services to commercial and government operators, MROs, and OEMs, and the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation’s Supply Center in Richmond, Virginia, signed a Supply Chain Alliance charter to formalize their commitment to strengthening joint support for the nation’s warfighter. AAR is the first Supply Chain Alliance partner for DLA Richmond. The charter is intended to maximize efficiencies during the DLA procurement process by providing AAR with a centralized resource for contract quote, award, and execution. AAR focuses on partnerships that enhance agility and resilience in logistics support. Through its comprehensive distribution services, AAR will effectively manage the supply chain to meet DLA Aviation’s critical needs in support of warfighter readiness. Also Read: Spain’s First Airbus A330 MRTT Enters Service. This charter follows a Supply Chain Alliance executed by AAR and DLA Maritime in September of 2024, under which the partners are striving....
The first Airbus A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport) for the Spanish Air and Space Force has entered service with the 45th Wing. This is the first of three multi-mission tanker and transport aircraft acquired by the Spanish Ministry of Defence in November 2021. The aircraft, which will operate from Torrejón de Ardoz Air Base, Madrid (Spain), has been delivered from the Airbus facilities in Getafe (Madrid), where the A330 MRTT aircraft conversion center is based. "With the entry into service of this first A330 MRTT, the Spanish Air and Space Force now has the world's best tanker aircraft in its fleet,” said Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Air Power at Airbus Defence and Space. “The MRTT will not only provide interoperability with allied nations and strategic autonomy, but will also significantly increase projection, aerial evacuation and in-flight refuelling capabilities." The Airbus A330 MRTT for Air and Space is equipped with a....
Lockheed Martin recently completed the delivery of the 51st and 52nd F-35As to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, making Norway the first F-35 partner nation to fulfill its program of record. "The F-35 is the world's best fighter jet and I am very pleased that we will receive the last of the 52 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin that Norway has ordered," said Tore O. Sandvik, Norwegian Minister of Defence. "The aircraft ensure that we can safeguard Norwegian sovereignty and maintain even better control over our areas on land, at sea and in the air." The advanced capabilities and increased interoperability of the F-35 enhances Norway's sovereign defense and cooperation with key allies across Europe, including its closest neighbors in the Nordic region. The F-35 fleet will play a critical role in protecting the High North and supporting NATO missions. "Norway's F-35 fleet enhances interoperability across the Norwegian Armed Forces' defense systems, improving situational awareness of the entire force....
British in-orbit manufacturing company Space Forge has appointed technology expert Atul Kumar to establish a semiconductor business in the United States, aiming to enhance domestic chip production amid growing efforts to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. Kumar, a materials scientist with over 20 years of experience, will lead the development of manufacturing operations under Space Forge’s U.S. subsidiary. This initiative supports both terrestrial and in-space growth of semiconductor substrates, as announced by the company on April 10. This strategic move aligns with the U.S.'s increasing efforts to lessen its dependence on foreign chips, driven by supply chain disruptions, national security concerns, and rising trade tensions, particularly with China. The CHIPS and Science Act, enacted in 2022, is investing billions to bring advanced semiconductor production back to the U.S. and foster domestic innovation. "Our ultimate goal is to bring in-space manufacturing of advanced semiconductor materials," Kumar stated. "We also plan to....
beOnd Expands Global Network with New Destinations from Maldives
Emirates Expands Tourism Ties with MoUs Signed at ATM 2025
IndiGo Named ‘Partner of the Year’ by Changi Airport Group at 2025 Awards
Saudia Group Orders 10 Airbus A330neo Jets for flyadeal
UK Boosts Defense with £165M Leonardo Helicopter Deal
Australia Acquires Bombardier Jets for ISR Missions
AAR and DLA Aviation Sign Supply Chain Alliance to Support Warfighters
Spain’s First Airbus A330 MRTT Enters Service
Norway Completes F-35 Fleet with Final Deliveries
Atul Kumar to Lead Space Forge’s U.S. Chip Manufacturing
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