Etihad Airways has taken a dramatic leap in redefining short and medium-haul air travel, launching the first commercial flight of its all-new Airbus A321LR. Departing from Zayed International Airport to Phuket, this debut flight marks a milestone: widebody luxury is now available on a single-aisle aircraft, and the inaugural journey sold out across First, Business, and Economy classes.

The new A321LR brings Etihad’s famed premium experience previously reserved for its largest aircraft to a next-generation single-aisle jet. This sets a new benchmark for travelers seeking exclusivity typically found only on long-haul routes.

Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial Officer at Etihad Airways, described the A321LR as “our ambition to deliver extraordinary experiences on every route we serve. It allows us to bring the sophistication of our widebody cabins, including our renowned First experience, to more destinations, and to more travellers, than ever before.”

The cabin features include:

First Suites: Two fully enclosed, private suites with sliding doors, 20-inch 4K screens, flat beds, wireless charging, Bluetooth pairing, and space for companion dining that reflect the airline’s award-winning service and attention to detail.

Business Class: Fourteen lie-flat seats in a 1-1 herringbone configuration, each equipped with a 17.3-inch 4K display, wireless charging, direct aisle access, and window views.

Economy Class: 144 ergonomically designed seats with 13.3-inch 4K touchscreen displays, USB charging, and Bluetooth headphone connectivity, ensuring premium entertainment access for all passengers.
All cabins benefit from high-speed Wi-Fi supporting video conferencing, streaming, and gaming, along with enlarged overhead bins to enhance convenience throughout the journey.

 The A321LR’s introduction marks the first of 30 such aircraft Etihad is set to add to its fleet, each configured to raise standards for regional air travel.

With this launch, Etihad continues to combine design innovation with service excellence, elevating comfort and style across every flight, no matter the distance.

Dubai is swiftly cementing its position as a premier global tourism hub, welcoming over 9.88 million international visitors in the first half of 2025—a 6 percent rise from the same period last year. This robust growth underscores the city’s ongoing appeal and strategic vision to rank among the top three global tourism destinations, as articulated in the Dubai Economic Agenda D33.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Defence, attributed this success to the forward-looking vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Hamdan emphasized the role of strong public-private partnerships and an effective global marketing strategy in propelling Dubai’s tourism sector forward. “A warm welcome to all our visitors, from the heart of the world — Dubai,” he wrote on X.

Building on a record-breaking 18.72 million international overnight visitors in 2024—which marked a 9 percent year-on-year increase surpassing the previous 17.15 million in 2023—Dubai’s tourism pulse remains exceptionally vibrant. The city’s world-class infrastructure, strategic crossroads location bridging East and West, and seamless global connectivity continue to attract a diverse array of tourists.

Hotel occupancy rates reflect this booming sector, standing at over 80 percent, complemented by strong performances in average daily rates and revenues per available room. This thriving hospitality scene, alongside a dynamic calendar of business, leisure, cultural, and retail events, fortifies Dubai’s reputation as a preferred destination for travelers worldwide.

In essence, Dubai’s first half of 2025 tourism figures highlight not only the city’s resilience but also its bold ambition to be a crown jewel on the global travel map, welcoming millions with unmatched hospitality and unforgettable experiences.

For the first time, Air New Zealand’s iconic koru logo will land in Nova Scotia, as the airline’s latest Airbus A321neo forgoes its usual route through the Middle East, opting for a transatlantic trek fueled by shifting global tensions and logistical opportunity.

When Air New Zealand acquires new aircraft from Airbus’s German factories, delivery flights have traditionally threaded through aviation hubs in the Middle East and Asia common pitstops include Oman, Malaysia, and Australia. But ongoing hostilities and rising risk near Iran and Israel have forced the carrier to chart an entirely different path.

This week, the carrier’s shiny new A321neo (registration ZK-NNI) will swap its routine desert stopovers for the unfamiliar runways of Halifax, Canada, marking a historic first for the airline.

The geopolitical tremors shaking the Strait of Hormuz led Air NZ to reroute. While the skies above Dubai and Doha still thrum with flight traffic, the airline’s chief safety and risk officer, Nathan McGraw, says the ongoing unpredictability in the region isn’t worth the gamble.

“We continuously conduct risk and safety assessments for our flights and with the ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, and some airspace restrictions, we made the decision to fly the aircraft home via Canada and the United States,” says McGraw.

Choosing North America wasn’t just about safety. Air NZ has daily operations in North America, giving the carrier a reliable support network for its newest jet.

Some delivery flights in recent years have stopped in Gander, Newfoundland—the small Canadian airport immortalized in the musical Come From Away. This time, Halifax gets the nod. McGraw points to Swissport, a trusted ground handler already stationed in Halifax, and the carrier’s existing presence in Vancouver, as logistical reasons for the switch.

Navigating the North Atlantic’s buzzing flight paths, Air NZ relies on advanced planning software to map the most efficient route. “It’s like a highway in the sky, with several lanes of traffic,” McGraw explains. “Our tool, FlightKeys, picks the best track factoring in winds, fuel, and traffic, helping us cross over safely to Halifax.”
The new route stretches 21,078 km—about 1,000 km longer than the familiar Muscat-to-Auckland journey. That solitary stretch means burning an additional 2.7 tonnes of fuel. “We’ll be carrying a full tank for each leg—except the shortest, between Samoa and Auckland,” states McGraw.

Getting the plane home takes nearly a week due to mandatory rest periods. The trip starts with four pilots from Hamburg to Halifax, then three pilots cover the remaining legs, stopping in Vancouver, Honolulu, Apia, and finally landing in Auckland. Alongside the crew, only engineers and a programme manager hitch a ride, as the jet’s empty cabin speeds climbs and eases logistics.

As the A321neo arcs over unfamiliar North American skies and touches down in the maritime chill of Nova Scotia, Air New Zealand reaffirms its deep commitment to safety—even if it means rewriting the flight plan. With its homeland in sight at the end of a longer journey, this latest delivery flight is a high-tech testament to adapting in an unpredictable world.

Qatar Navigation (Milaha) and Qatar Airways Group have cemented a strategic alliance by signing a five-year agreement for comprehensive warehousing and logistics services—a key milestone in the collaboration between these two national champions of Qatar. Under this partnership, Milaha will deliver end-to-end supply chain solutions encompassing warehousing, inventory management, and distribution support, leveraging advanced logistics technologies and real-time visibility tools tailored to Qatar Airways Group’s evolving needs.

The partnership highlights a mutual commitment to operational excellence and superior service quality, reinforcing Milaha’s standing as the preferred logistics partner for major entities in Qatar and the region. Qatar Airways Group selected Milaha after a competitive evaluation process, impressed by Milaha’s robust digital infrastructure, integrated systems, and consistent track record in providing reliable and customer-centric logistics solutions.

Cutting-edge technologies, including automated inventory tracking, data-driven performance analytics, and sophisticated warehouse management systems, will underpin seamless coordination and enhance service delivery across Qatar Airways’ supply chain. This technological edge represents a significant step forward in creating resilient, efficient logistics operations aligned with Qatar National Vision 2030’s goals of building world-class, technology-enabled, and sustainable supply chain capabilities.

Milaha Group CEO Fahad bin Saad al-Qahtani expressed pride in the partnership, emphasizing the foundation of mutual trust and a shared vision for service excellence. He highlighted the agreement’s role in positioning Milaha as a strategic enabler of national connectivity and global competitiveness through dependable logistics solutions. Meanwhile, Qatar Airways Group CEO Badr Mohammed al-Meer noted that the collaboration strengthens supply chain resilience and supports the airline’s global expansion, further contributing to the nation’s vision for sustainable growth.

This long-term agreement not only deepens the strategic alliance between two of Qatar’s flagship companies but also underscores their dedication to innovation, infrastructure investment, and human capital development. Together, Milaha and Qatar Airways are driving forward Qatar’s ambitions to be a leading regional and international hub for logistics and aviation services, delivering world-class operational standards and continuing the nation’s journey towards economic diversification and sustainability.

Shares of Singapore Airlines (SIA) took a sharp tumble in early trading on July 29, plunging as much as 8.6 percent following the announcement of a steep 59 percent decline in the group’s first-quarter net profit for the financial year 2025/26. The stock closed down 7.4 percent at $7.04, marking the largest intra-day drop since August 2024, with heavy trading volume of 38.5 million shares.

SIA reported net profit of S$186 million for the three months ended June 30, down from S$452 million a year earlier. This sharp fall was driven primarily by lower interest income and significant losses shared from associates, chiefly Air India, in which SIA owns a 25.1 percent stake. Air India’s financial results were newly included from December 2024 after the full integration of Vistara into Air India, whereas they were absent from the prior year’s first quarter results, explaining part of the steep decline.

Despite the profit setback, the group recorded strong operational performance: total revenue rose 1.5 percent to S$4.79 billion, supported by record passenger numbers. SIA and its subsidiary Scoot carried a combined 10.3 million passengers in the quarter, a 6.9 percent increase year-on-year, with passenger load factor improving slightly to 87.6 percent as growth in traffic outpaced capacity expansion.

 However, passenger yields fell 2.9 percent due to intensified competition amid capacity increases by other airlines. Cargo revenue also declined amid falling yields and wider capacity over cargo demand.

Analysts pointed to the drag on SIA’s bottom line from Air India’s continued losses and the lingering impact from the Air India Flight 171 crash in June, which led to flight cuts and a reported 20 percent drop in bookings on domestic and international routes. Market reactions included downgrades by several analysts, with target prices lowered and warnings of potential further losses from Air India.

Nonetheless, some experts remain cautiously optimistic about SIA’s outlook, noting stabilizing passenger yields and ongoing strengths in brand, service, and innovation that should help the airline to navigate current market challenges and transition towards renewed growth.

In summary, Singapore Airlines faces near-term headwinds from associate losses and competitive pressure on yields despite solid travel demand and record passenger traffic, reflecting a mixed outlook amid volatile global and regional aviation market conditions.

The US Department of State has rolled out a significant update to its visa policies, tightening the rules for those seeking entry into the country. As of September 2, 2025, nearly all nonimmigrant visa applicants  including children under 14 and adults over 79   will be required to appear in person for a consular interview, a sharp reversal from the previous, more lenient waiver provisions.

Until now, many applicants could bypass the rigorous in-person interview step by qualifying for a visa interview waiver   often through an online eligibility screening, followed by the convenience of mailing in application materials rather than scheduling a visit to the Embassy.

That changes with the new directives, which supersede policies introduced just months ago in February. Now, only select categories of travelers will remain eligible to apply without the standard interview, marking a tightened security and verification protocol by US authorities.

There are exceptions to the tougher rules. The following applicants may still qualify for the interview waiver under specific criteria:

• Diplomats and Foreign Government Officials: Those applying under classifications such as A-1, A-2, C-3 (excluding certain attendants and staff), G-series, NATO categories, or TECRO E-1 for official or diplomatic missions.
• Renewals of B-1, B-2 Visas or Border Crossing Cards: Travelers renewing a full-validity B-1, B-2, B1/B2 visa, or Mexican Border Crossing Card within 12 months of expiration provided they were at least 18 years old when the last visa was granted. Additional conditions include applying from their home country or residence, a clean visa refusal history (unless previously remedied), and no signs of ineligibility.

Despite these exceptions, consular officers retain the authority to request an interview for any applicant at their discretion, further emphasizing the department's commitment to rigorous immigration screening.
For the vast majority of nonimmigrant visa hopefuls, planning an in-person Embassy visit will now be standard. The overhaul aims to enhance security, but it will also likely increase wait times and logistical demands for travelers and families seeking entry to the United States.

As always, applicants are advised to check eligibility during the online registration process. The site’s updated questionnaire will determine whether a person will be directed to schedule an interview or can proceed via the waiver program  now reserved for the narrow categories outlined above.

Visa seekers are urged to review the new guidelines thoroughly and prepare for in-person interviews as the default pathway to US entry starting this September.