Travellers eyeing affordable summer getaways are in for a treat as Wizz Air Abu Dhabi announces a 15% discount on select flights to and from the UAE capital. The offer is valid for bookings made for travel between May 1 and June 30, 2025.

The ultra-low-cost carrier, a joint venture between Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding Company (ADQ) and Hungary-based Wizz Air, is rolling out the promotion to fuel summer travel demand. Bookings can be made exclusively via the airline’s official website and mobile app.

While Wizz Air hasn’t released a complete list of discounted routes, the offer includes several popular regional and European destinations, targeting budget-savvy flyers looking to explore more for less during the peak travel season.

The promotion aligns with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi’s ongoing expansion strategy, reinforcing its commitment to growing a cost-effective network out of the UAE capital. Since its launch in 2021, the airline has focused on short- and medium-haul destinations, aiming to make travel accessible for all.

Travellers are encouraged to act fast—discounted seats are limited and only available within the promotional booking window.

The interim government of Bangladesh has accelerated plans to elevate Cox’s Bazar Airport to full international status by the end of July 2025, aiming to transform the airport into a key regional hub for air traffic and aircraft refueling in South Asia. This strategic move aligns with broader ambitions to boost tourism, enhance connectivity, and position Bangladesh prominently in the regional aviation sector.

Following government directives, the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) convened a coordination meeting with customs, immigration, ground handling agencies, and other stakeholders to ensure the airport’s operational readiness. The meeting confirmed that international flights are tentatively scheduled to commence in the last week of July, initially operating from the existing domestic terminal if the new international terminal is not completed on time.

Currently, approximately 85% of the airport’s development work has been completed. The airport’s runway has undergone significant upgrades under the Cox’s Bazar Airport Development Project (Phase 1), including widening from 127 feet to 200 feet and extension from 6,775 feet to 9,000 feet. A further extension to 10,700 feet is underway, with the runway expanding toward the sea to accommodate wide-body aircraft safely at full capacity.

The new international terminal building, spanning nearly 18,000 square meters, is nearing completion and will significantly increase passenger handling capacity. In parallel, advanced navigational and operational systems such as Instrument Landing System (ILS), Distance Measuring Equipment (DME), Doppler VHF Omni-Range (DVOR), Flight Information Display System (FIDS), and Public Address (PA) systems are being installed to meet international standards.

 An Airfield Ground Lighting System (AGL) is also being set up to enable night and low-visibility operations, complemented by the procurement of firefighting vehicles to enhance safety.

Project Director Yunus Bhuiyan highlighted that the runway upgrades enable the safe takeoff and landing of fully loaded wide-body jets, a critical factor for international operations. Meanwhile, the airport has already been equipped with aircraft refueling facilities since 2017, further supporting its role as a regional refueling hub.

Currently, Cox’s Bazar Airport operates 19 domestic flights daily on the Dhaka–Cox’s Bazar route, served by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, US-Bangla Airlines, Novoair, and Air Astra. Looking ahead, Middle Eastern carrier Air Arabia plans to launch at least one weekly international flight from Cox’s Bazar, expanding the airport’s international connectivity.

CAAB Chairman Air Vice Marshal Md Monjur Kabir Bhuiyan confirmed that discussions with interested airlines will finalize the international flight schedule by July’s end. Airport Director Golam Mortoza Hossain noted that the chief adviser’s recent site inspection reinforced the July deadline, with all stakeholders committed to completing the necessary work on time.

Once operational, Cox’s Bazar International Airport is expected to serve as a vital gateway for tourism and commerce, enhancing Bangladesh’s stature in South Asia’s aviation landscape and supporting the country’s broader economic development goals.

About to jet off for your summer holiday? You might be flying with one of the world’s best airlines, according to the prestigious 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, announced on June 18. Known as the ‘Oscars of aviation,’ these awards are based on extensive customer surveys evaluating over 350 airlines worldwide, culminating in a ranking of the top 100 carriers.

For the ninth time in its 26-year history, Qatar Airways claimed the coveted title of World’s Best Airline, reaffirming its dominance in global aviation. The Qatari national carrier also secured top honors for Best Business Class, Best Airline in the Middle East, and Best Business Class Lounge, underscoring its commitment to premium service and innovation.

While no UK airline broke into the top 10, two British carriers made a strong showing in the top 20—a remarkable feat given the fierce international competition. British Airways held steady at 13th place, maintaining its position from 2024, while Virgin Atlantic climbed one spot to 16th. Virgin Atlantic also earned a special accolade for the World’s Best Premium Economy Class, highlighting its excellence in passenger comfort and service.

The full top 10 list featured other global heavyweights such as Singapore Airlines, which ranked second and was recognized for the World’s Best Airline Cabin Staff and Best First Class, and Cathay Pacific Airways, which took third place. The awards ceremony, held during the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget’s Air and Space Museum, celebrated the crème de la crème of the skies, with winners spanning full-service, low-cost, and regional airlines.

So, as you prepare for your summer getaway, take pride in knowing that if you’re flying with Qatar Airways, British Airways, or Virgin Atlantic, you’re in the hands of some of the world’s finest airlines, as voted by millions of global travelers.

A Ryanair Boeing 737 operating flight FR6080 from London Stansted to Kalamata International Airport collided with a perimeter barrier while taxiing after landing on June 18, 2025, causing significant damage to the right wingtip. The incident followed a flight marked by severe turbulence during descent, with passengers reporting intense shaking and no prior seatbelt warning.

 The captain had cautioned about a rough landing due to adverse weather conditions. Despite the turbulence, the aircraft landed safely on the runway.

During taxiing to the parking stand, the aircraft deviated and struck a red-and-white perimeter fence, resulting in a loud bang heard by passengers and visible tearing of the wingtip metal, as confirmed by photographs shared online. No injuries were reported among the 179 passengers and six crew members.

Passengers remained onboard under crew instructions while airport emergency services assessed the damage and potential fire risk. Some passengers expressed concern about the delay in evacuation given the visible wing damage and proximity to fuel systems, but Ryanair stated that the aircraft completed taxiing safely before passengers disembarked normally.

The airline confirmed that the aircraft underwent a full maintenance inspection and necessary repairs before returning to service.

The Boeing 737 remained on the ground for approximately five and a half hours during inspection and repair. Afterward, it resumed operations, flying to Milan-Bergamo Airport and continuing its scheduled rotations, including a return flight to London Stansted. Ryanair reported no disruption to its flight schedule and has not announced any formal investigation into the incident.

The event has prompted discussions about ground movement safety protocols and turbulence management, especially regarding communication with passengers during severe weather and post-landing procedures. Passengers highlighted the lack of seatbelt alerts before turbulence and questioned the safety decisions made after the collision.

Aviation experts and authorities are monitoring the situation, though no official inquiry has been launched as of this writing.

Ryanair operates a large fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft across Europe and emphasized that safety remains a top priority. The airline reassured that all required inspections and maintenance were completed before the aircraft returned to active service.

The United States has quietly withdrawn nearly 40 military aircraft from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, its largest airbase in the Middle East, amid escalating fears of potential Iranian strikes as tensions rise between Iran and Israel.

Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC, analyzed by multiple news agencies, show that between June 5 and June 19, the previously crowded tarmac—home to C-130 Hercules transport planes and advanced reconnaissance jets—was largely emptied, with only three aircraft visible by June 19.

The move is widely seen as a preemptive measure to protect US military assets from possible Iranian attacks, especially as Washington weighs whether to support Israel’s ongoing military operations against Iran.

US officials, speaking to Reuters on condition of anonymity, confirmed that the aircraft were removed due to their vulnerability to potential Iranian missile or drone strikes, given the base’s proximity to Iran. In addition to the aircraft, some US naval vessels have also been repositioned from the region as a precaution.

The US Embassy in Qatar has responded by restricting access to the base, citing “an abundance of caution and in light of ongoing regional hostilities,” and has urged personnel to exercise increased vigilance.

Meanwhile, public flight tracking data shows that at least 27 US military refueling aircraft, such as the KC-46A Pegasus and KC-135 Stratotanker, were redeployed from the US to Europe between June 15 and 18, with most remaining in Europe as of June 19—an indication that the US could be preparing for extended operations or repositioning assets for greater security.

Al Udeid Air Base, located near Doha and established in 1996, houses around 10,000 US troops and serves as the forward headquarters for US Central Command (CENTCOM). It has played a pivotal role in US operations across Iraq, Syria, and Afghanistan.

The current redeployment comes as US forces across the Middle East are placed on high alert, with military families offered voluntary evacuation from bases in the region due to the heightened risk of Iranian retaliation.

President Donald Trump has not yet decided whether the US will join Israel’s campaign against Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, but a decision is expected within the next two weeks, according to White House officials. Iran has warned that any US involvement in the conflict would trigger direct attacks on American bases in the region

Oman has intensified its efforts to repatriate citizens from northern regions of Iran, as part of a wider response to ongoing regional tensions. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Omani Embassy in Tehran, has launched a multi-phase evacuation plan utilizing key land border crossings with Turkey, Iraq, and Turkmenistan.

These routes include the Razi-Kapiköy crossing into Turkey, the Shalamcheh-Basra crossing into Iraq, and the Bagiran-Ashgabat route for those near Mashhad heading into Turkmenistan.

In the latest phase of this operation, 123 Omani nationals were safely returned home via Bandar Abbas following careful coordination with relevant authorities. Ten coaches were dispatched to transport citizens from northern Iran to the Turkish border, while three coaches were sent towards the Shalamcheh crossing with Iraq, reflecting the Ministry’s commitment to secure and orderly travel arrangements.

The Ministry has established assembly points in Shiraz and Bandar Abbas and urges all citizens in Iran to remain in their current locations, cooperate with embassy field teams, and await instructions regarding departure schedules. Omani authorities have expressed gratitude to Iranian officials for their cooperation and reaffirmed their round-the-clock efforts to ensure the safety of all citizens.

These repatriation measures come amid heightened regional instability, with Oman also intensifying diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, particularly following Israeli military actions against Iran. His Majesty and senior officials have emphasized the importance of dialogue, international law, and peaceful negotiation as the only viable path to lasting regional security and stability.
To date, more than 300 Omani citizens have been repatriated from Iran under this coordinated operation, and the Ministry continues to call on all nationals in affected areas to maintain contact with Omani representatives and register their details for support.