Riyadh Air, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s new national carrier, has signed a landmark agreement with Rolls-Royce for 100 Trent XWB-97 engines to power its fleet of up to 50 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft. The deal, announced during the 55th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget, follows Riyadh Air’s order for 25 Airbus A350-1000 aircraft with options for 25 more, marking a major step in the airline’s ambitious growth strategy.

The Trent XWB-97 is recognized as the world’s most efficient large aero-engine, delivering 97,000 pounds of thrust and specifically engineered for the A350-1000. This partnership is set to support Riyadh Air’s goal of connecting over 100 global destinations by 2030, with the airline’s total fleet orders now reaching up to 182 aircraft across three types.

In addition to the engine deal, Riyadh Air and Rolls-Royce signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the comprehensive TotalCare service package, ensuring the health and maintenance of the engines throughout their lifecycle.

The agreement was formalized by Adam Boukadida, Chief Financial Officer of Riyadh Air, and Ewen McDonald, Chief Customer Officer at Rolls-Royce, in the presence of Tony Douglas, Riyadh Air CEO, and Rob Watson, President of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce.

Adam Boukadida, CFO of Riyadh Air, emphasized the significance of the partnership: “Selecting world-class companies like Rolls-Royce to power our future Airbus wide-body fleet ensures we have the right partners to achieve our ambitions. This deal brings us closer to realizing our long-term vision of enhanced connectivity for Riyadh and delivering an unrivalled guest experience.”

Rob Watson, President of Civil Aerospace at Rolls-Royce, added:
“We’re looking forward to supporting the significant growth ambitions of Riyadh Air in its launch year. The Trent XWB-97 is an incredible engine, and our TotalCare package will provide operational certainty across the fleet.”

The new A350-1000 aircraft, powered by the Trent XWB-97 engines, will enable Riyadh Air to expand its network globally, supporting Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 to transform Riyadh into a leading aviation hub. With its Air Operator Certificate secured earlier this year, Riyadh Air is on track to commence operations later in 2025.

Launched in March 2023, Riyadh Air is a digitally led, full-service airline committed to sustainability, safety, and premium guest experiences. The carrier aims to connect guests to over 100 destinations worldwide by 2030, featuring advanced cabin interiors and next-generation in-flight entertainment.

Rolls-Royce is a global leader in power and propulsion, supporting a wide range of industries and customers in over 100 countries. In 2024, the company reported annual underlying revenue of £17.8 billion and an underlying operating profit of £2.46 billion. Rolls-Royce Holdings plc is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange.

This collaboration underscores Riyadh Air’s commitment to innovation and world-class service, positioning the airline as a key player in the future of global aviation.

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

The UK Foreign Office has issued a new travel advisory warning of potential disruptions due to escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. The warning highlights the risk of rapid escalation and security threats across the wider region, which could lead to short-notice airspace closures, flight delays, cancellations, and other unexpected travel impacts.

Travelers are advised to:

• Monitor local and international media for the latest updates
• Stay vigilant and follow instructions from local authorities
• Check with airlines for current flight information before traveling

This alert comes as airlines suspend flights to the UAE and other Middle Eastern destinations amid rising tensions. American Airlines has suspended its only Middle East route, Flight AA120 between Philadelphia and Doha, Qatar, citing safety concerns. The suspension is in effect until June 22, with several flights already cancelled on June 18, 19, and 20.

United Airlines has also halted daily flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and Dubai as of June 19, stating it will resume service "when it’s safe," without specifying a return date. Passengers flying to the UAE are strongly advised to verify their flight status with their airline before departure.

The ongoing conflict has led to widespread airspace closures and airport shutdowns in the region. Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport remains closed indefinitely, and Iran has suspended flights to and from Khomeini International Airport. Neighboring countries including Iraq, Jordan, and Syria have also closed their airspace, causing major disruptions to international flight routes.

Travelers should prepare for potential delays and rerouted flights, with some airlines diverting flights through alternative hubs such as Vienna, Jeddah, or Frankfurt. The UK Foreign Office continues to monitor the situation closely and urges all travelers to exercise caution and stay informed as the situation develops.

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.