Riyadh Air, Saudi Arabia’s new flagship airline, and Blacklane, the global chauffeur service, have announced a strategic partnership at the 2025 Paris Airshow, showcased alongside a Riyadh Air-liveried A321 aircraft and a Blacklane-wrapped vehicle. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Riyadh Air’s commitment to delivering best-in-class service throughout the entire customer journey.

Under the new agreement, Riyadh Air’s Business Elite and Business Class passengers, as well as eligible loyalty members, will benefit from complimentary luxury chauffeur services provided by Blacklane within a 50-kilometer radius of Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport. The service features elegant, high-end vehicles and is seamlessly integrated into Riyadh Air’s booking platform, allowing guests to arrange their chauffeur as part of their travel experience.

Beyond airport transfers, travelers will have access to Blacklane’s chauffeur services for city-to-city travel, in-city rides, and hourly bookings, both in Riyadh and at any of Riyadh Air’s global destinations. This partnership sets a new standard in the airline industry within Saudi Arabia and internationally, reflecting the shared dedication of both companies to exceptional hospitality and attention to detail.

Tony Douglas, CEO of Riyadh Air, highlighted the importance of the partnership: “Our partnership with Blacklane reinforces our ethos of ensuring our customers experience Saudi hospitality with world-class service standards. We revealed our stylish new Business Elite and Business Class seats recently, and this is the next step in keeping our promises to deliver an exceptional premium experience to our guests.

Riyadh Air and Blacklane are two outstanding brands with hospitality and an attention to detail at heart, and our relationship will offer our guests a truly elevated travel itinerary, from the first mile to the last.”Dr. Jens Wohltorf, CEO and Co-Founder of Blacklane, added, “This partnership is more than a service it’s a promise.

 Together, Riyadh Air and Blacklane will offer guests a thoughtfully curated journey, marked by reliability, sophistication, and genuine care. We look forward to welcoming Riyadh Air guests and ensuring every moment of their journey is unique.”

This partnership not only enhances Riyadh Air’s premium offering but also reinforces Blacklane’s position as a leader in luxury chauffeur services worldwide. It promises travelers a seamless, sophisticated experience that begins long before boarding the aircraft and continues well beyond arrival, embodying the future of elevated travel.

Bahrain has swiftly enacted a remote work policy affecting 70% of government employees, a move prompted by escalating regional tensions and security concerns. The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) announced that this measure, effective immediately and until further notice, applies to all ministries and government agencies except for sectors that require physical presence due to the nature of their duties or emergency protocols.

The remaining 30% of staff, primarily in essential and emergency services, will continue to report to their workplaces to ensure uninterrupted delivery of critical public services.

This decision comes as part of Bahrain’s broader strategy to safeguard public health and safety while maintaining the continuity of government operations amid ongoing instability in the region. Ministries and agencies have been instructed to coordinate internally to ensure smooth workflow and operational efficiency under the new arrangement.

The CSB emphasized that the remote work directive aligns with national safety measures and will be continually assessed as the situation evolves, with further guidance to be provided as necessary.

Bahrain has been adapting to more flexible work models in recent years, supported by robust technological infrastructure and evolving labor practices. Employers are expected to clearly define remote work terms, ensure data security, and provide necessary equipment and IT support to remote staff.

The government’s proactive approach in activating remote work underscores its commitment to minimizing risks to employees and the public during periods of heightened caution, while leveraging advanced connectivity and digital tools to sustain essential services

Qatar Airways has issued a travel alert announcing that, effective June 22, 2025, several flights have been retimed to enhance connectivity and minimize disruptions across its global network. Some departure times may now be earlier than originally scheduled as part of the airline’s efforts to preserve operational reliability, network integrity, and resilience.

Passengers are strongly advised to verify their updated flight times ahead of travel via the official Qatar Airways website or the mobile app to ensure a smooth journey. The airline also urges travel agents to monitor their GDS queues closely for schedule changes and to promptly inform affected clients, ensuring bookings include accurate contact details for timely communication.

In addition to the flight retimings, Qatar Airways continues to comply fully with international aviation safety regulations, underscoring that passenger and crew safety remains the highest priority.

The flight schedule adjustments come amid broader strategic modifications in Qatar Airways’ Northern Summer 2025 schedule, which includes aircraft swaps, frequency changes, and seasonal service adjustments across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Specific route changes include increased frequencies on some routes such as Doha to Bangkok and Entebbe, and reductions or cancellations on others, including seasonal cancellations on routes to Türkiye and adjustments on flights to Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, where some flights have been temporarily cancelled or rebooked with flexible options for passengers.

Passengers holding tickets for affected flights to or from these regions are permitted two free reissues within 21 days of their original travel dates, with flexible rerouting options to accommodate travel plans.

Qatar Airways thanks its passengers and partners for their understanding and cooperation as it implements these changes to maintain a reliable and safe travel experience worldwide.

Passengers are encouraged to stay informed by checking their flight status at qatarairways.com or by using the Qatar Airways mobile app for real-time updates. Qatar Airways remains committed to delivering seamless and safe travel for all its customers.

Major international airlines are continuing to divert their flights to avoid Middle Eastern airspace after the recent U.S. military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, escalating regional tensions and disrupting global air travel.

Flight tracking data from FlightRadar24 shows that airlines including United Airlines and American Airlines are steering clear of high-risk zones encompassing Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel. Instead of the usual direct routes, flights are now detouring north over the Caspian Sea or south through Egypt and Saudi Arabia. These longer paths increase fuel consumption, crew expenses, and overall operating costs for airlines.

The rerouting follows a series of military escalations beginning June 13, when Israel launched retaliatory strikes against Iranian targets. The situation intensified after the U.S. conducted coordinated airstrikes on three key Iranian nuclear sites Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan using advanced bunker-buster bombs. These strikes, described by President Trump as “completely obliterating” Iran’s nuclear enrichment capabilities, have heightened fears of further conflict and retaliation.

In response to the volatile security environment, airlines have suspended flights to several Middle Eastern destinations. American Airlines halted services to Qatar, United Airlines paused flights to Dubai, and Israel’s main carriers El Al, Arkia, and Israir have suspended both commercial and rescue flights until at least June 27.

 Israel has closed its airspace, though land borders with Egypt and Jordan remain open, leaving tens of thousands of travelers stranded. The Israeli Tourism Ministry is facilitating their departure through alternate routes such as transit via Amman or ferry services to Cyprus.

The ripple effects extend beyond flight disruptions. Several countries have initiated evacuation efforts for their citizens. Japan successfully evacuated 21 people from Iran overland to Azerbaijan, marking its second such operation in recent days. New Zealand announced plans to deploy a Hercules military transport aircraft to the region to assist with potential evacuations.

Aviation safety organizations like Safe Airspace have warned of increased risks to commercial flights operating near the conflict zones, urging caution as missile and drone attacks continue to threaten the region. Airlines are now treating airspace over multiple Middle Eastern countries as restricted, even those not directly involved in the conflict, impacting long-haul flights connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The U.S. strikes have triggered a complex political fallout. While some U.S. politicians praised the military action, others criticized it for bypassing congressional approval. Iran has vowed “everlasting consequences” and retains capabilities for missile retaliation, potentially targeting U.S. military bases and critical energy transit routes like the Strait of Hormuz, through which a significant portion of the world’s oil supply passes.

Recent Iranian missile salvos targeting Israeli cities underscore the risk of sustained regional escalation.
This evolving crisis has forced airlines worldwide to balance operational challenges with passenger safety amid one of the most volatile periods in Middle Eastern aviation history.

Israel’s main international airport, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport, has been closed for over six days, marking the longest shutdown in Israel’s 76-year history due to the ongoing conflict with Iran. The closure began shortly after Israel launched strikes on Iranian military and nuclear enrichment sites on the night of June 12-13, 2025, prompting the closure of airspace across the Middle East.

The airport’s shutdown has created significant travel disruptions, stranding thousands of Israeli citizens abroad and foreign visitors in Israel. Israeli flag carrier El Al was authorized on June 17 to operate recovery flights to bring citizens home. The airline reported its first repatriation flights landed on June 18 and announced that over 70,000 people had registered for these flights.

Recovery flights are being gradually operated from destinations including Larnaca, Paphos, Budapest, Athens, Milan, Rome, and London (Luton), subject to government approval.

The closure follows an intensification of military operations in the region. Israeli airstrikes targeted key Iranian nuclear and military sites, including a centrifuge manufacturing workshop in Isfahan province and military installations in Shiraz and Khuzestan province. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed strikes on Iran’s Natanz nuclear site, noting no radiological consequences.

Iran retaliated with multiple missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Jerusalem, resulting in casualties and damage to civilian infrastructure.

The conflict has escalated to include proxy groups such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, who have launched attacks on Israeli territory. The United States has been involved in defensive operations, shooting down Iranian missiles and drones, and on June 21, it conducted strikes on three Iranian nuclear sites, further intensifying the conflict. President Donald Trump has reviewed military options but has delayed further action, awaiting Iran’s response to diplomatic pressure.

Major international airlines, including U.S. carriers Delta and United, have suspended flights to Israel due to the airspace closure and security concerns. The last full closure of Ben Gurion Airport was on October 1, 2024, following a missile attack from Iran, but the current shutdown is unprecedented in length and impact.
Israeli authorities have indicated preparations to resume outbound flights with strict passenger limits, prioritizing humanitarian and security-related travel.

The airspace was temporarily reopened on June 22 to facilitate repatriation flights, reflecting ongoing efforts to restore normalcy amid the conflict.

This prolonged airport closure underscores the severe disruption caused by the Israel-Iran conflict, which has rapidly escalated since mid-June 2025, involving extensive military strikes, drone activity, missile barrages, and international diplomatic maneuvers. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation affecting regional stability and global security.

 

Continuing its comprehensive repatriation operation, the Sultanate of Oman has successfully completed the fourth phase of its evacuation plan, welcoming 294 Omani citizens back from the Islamic Republic of Iran via the Republic of Turkiye. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing national efforts coordinated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, relevant Omani authorities, and Oman’s diplomatic missions abroad.

The fourth phase follows earlier successful stages, including the second phase which saw 245 citizens return via Bandar Abbas port, and the third phase which facilitated the safe transit of 193 Omanis from Bandar Abbas to Khasab port, alongside 158 nationals of other countries transiting through Oman. Additionally, 155 Omanis and other nationals were evacuated by air from Iraq, reflecting the Ministry’s multi-route evacuation strategy.

The Ministry expressed deep appreciation for the integrated efforts of all involved, particularly the support teams, field committees, and the constructive cooperation with Turkish authorities, which ensured the smooth and safe execution of this phase. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to continuing subsequent phases of the evacuation plan through ongoing coordination with relevant parties inside and outside Oman to guarantee the safe return of all citizens.

With this phase, the total number of Omani citizens repatriated from Iran has risen to 1,188, while the number of other nationals whose return was facilitated stands at 281. These figures highlight Oman’s humanitarian approach and its strong coordination with brotherly and friendly nations during a complex regional situation.

The evacuation operations are part of a broader regional and international response amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, where over 20 countries including the UAE, Bahrain, India, Japan, and the United States have accelerated efforts to repatriate their nationals from Iran and Israel. Oman’s efforts are aligned with these global humanitarian initiatives, emphasizing diplomacy and safety.

Looking ahead, the Ministry is already implementing the fifth phase, which recently saw 181 Omanis and other nationals evacuated from Mashhad, Iran, via Turkmenistan, arriving safely at Muscat International Airport. The Ministry continues to work closely with its missions abroad and relevant authorities to complete all remaining phases of the repatriation operation.

Oman’s evacuation plan reflects a comprehensive, multi-route approach involving land, sea, and air corridors, including transit through neighboring countries such as Turkey, Iraq, and Turkmenistan. This strategy ensures flexibility and maximizes the safety and efficiency of the repatriation process amid ongoing regional instability.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs urges all citizens still in Iran to remain in contact with Omani diplomatic missions and follow official guidance to facilitate their safe return.

For continuous updates on the evacuation plan and other official announcements, please follow the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Oman’s official communication channels.