Room rates in Dubai averaged $265.48 in November.

Dubai hotel room rates climb 19% in November

Average room rates at hotels in Dubai jumped 19% in November compared to the previous month a year ago boosted by a rise in corporate travellers to the emirate, according to a new report by TRI Hospitality.
Middle East: Sunday, January 08 - 2012 at 16:37
Air Arabia now flies to Moscow five times a week.

Air Arabia increases flights to Moscow

Air Arabia has expanded its services to Moscow via the carrier's primary hub in Sharjah, UAE.
United Arab Emirates: Sunday, January 08 - 2012 at 16:05
The proposed EU ETS has met with widespread industry criticism

Gulf carriers likely to raise fares to offset new EU carbon tax

A recent move by the European Union to impose a carbon tax - the EU Emission Trading Scheme - on airlines that use European airspace is likely to prompt Gulf carriers to boost fares on their flights to and within the continent.
Middle East: Thursday, January 05 - 2012 at 09:30
Flydubai adds its seventh route to Saudi Arabia.

Flydubai adds new route to Saudi Arabia

Low-cost carrier Flydubai has announced that it is launching a new service to the city of Taif in Saudi Arabia and increasing the frequency of flights to other localities in the kingdom.
Saudi Arabia: Thursday, January 05 - 2012 at 08:51
The deal gives Etihad access to 33 million new passengers.

Etihad ups stake in Air Berlin as part of European expansion

Etihad Airways has announced that it will spend $94.9m to boost its stake in Air Berlin, Europe's second largest airline, from 3% to more than 29% in a move that will give the Abu Dhabi-based carrier greater access to the European market.
United Arab Emirates: Monday, December 19 - 2011 at 16:31
Middle Eastern airlines face challenges finding pilots to match expansion plans

Rapid growth puts strain on pilot recruitment in Middle East

While Middle East carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways continue to place huge orders for aircraft as part of their global expansion strategies, they also face challenges finding qualified pilots to fly the new planes being added to their fleets.
Middle East: Sunday, December 18 - 2011 at 10:47
Emirates will launch Wi-Fi services across its A380 fleet

Emirates to launch Wi-Fi service on its A-380s

Dubai-based Emirates Airline has announced plans to launch Wi-Fi services across its fleet of A380 jumbo jets, becoming the latest carrier in the region to ramp up its in-flight entertainment offerings.
United Arab Emirates: Thursday, December 15 - 2011 at 08:49
Etihad has announced that it is buying 10 more Dreamliners

Etihad orders more Boeing Dreamliners as part of longer-term expansion plans

Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways announced this week that it is buying 10 more Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, making it the largest customer for that version of the much-delayed carbon fibre jet. The deal is seen as allowing Etihad to open up more nonstop routes given the 787-9's extensive range capability.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, December 14 - 2011 at 09:11
Libya has a number of historical sites of interest, including Leptis Magna

Mixed views on tourism potential for post-Gaddafi Libya

Despite offering unspoilt landscapes and a rich history dating back thousands of years, Libya's tourism sector languished during the reign of Colonel Gaddafi. However, while his ouster opens up new possibilities for attracting greater tourism revenues, the country faces a host of challenges in its efforts to rebuild its tourism industry.
Middle East: Monday, December 12 - 2011 at 08:53
IATA CEO and Director General Tony Tyler has warned of billions in potential losses

IATA cuts Middle East carriers' profit forecast by half

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has slashed its 2011 profit forecast for Middle East carriers by 50%, citing tighter margins on long-haul routes due to high fuel costs. The trade body also warned that failure to stem the Eurozone banking crisis could lead to heavy losses for the global aviation sector next year.
Middle East: Thursday, December 08 - 2011 at 09:00
Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways account for over 85% of the Airbus A350-1000 order book

Gulf carriers face challenges beyond the global economy

The scale of the economic fallout means that very few places or businesses in the world have not been affected. As experts attempt to make sense of the damage inflicted and potential future scenarios for their respective fields, it would appear that airline carriers in the Gulf have less to worry about than most.
Middle East: Wednesday, December 07 - 2011 at 09:36
Saudi Arabia is looking to encourage internal tourism to sites such as the ruins of Al Hijr, which is the largest Nabatean settlement after Petra

Saudi Arabia looks to bolster internal tourism

Saudi tourism officials and hotels in the kingdom have been stepping up their efforts to entice local residents to travel within the country in hopes of capturing a larger share of the billions of dollars that Saudis spend on vacations overseas each year.
Saudi Arabia: Friday, December 02 - 2011 at 10:04
Many Gulf carriers are outfitting their aircraft wtih the latest in-flight entertainment.

Middle East carriers ramp up in-flight entertainment offerings

In addition to spending billions of dollars on new aircraft, Middle East carriers are also splashing out big money on new and improved in-flight entertainments systems to keep in step with the latest technology being developed for the aviation sector.
Middle East: Sunday, November 27 - 2011 at 17:00
Newly opened hotels such as the Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi will face challenges due to oversupply in the capital.

Dubai, Abu Dhabi hotels on divergent paths in 2011

While hotels in Dubai have enjoyed a strong rebound so far this year, Abu Dhabi's hospitality sector is struggling to deal with an oversupply of rooms and a relatively limited range of offerings that limits its ability to attract a wide variety of tourists.
United Arab Emirates: Wednesday, November 23 - 2011 at 14:31
Middle East carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways are growing at unprecedented rates.

Are the Gulf's big carriers at risk of growing too fast?

Once again the region's carriers placed huge orders at the Dubai Airshow, with Emirates and Qatar Airways leading the way. But as these megacarriers continue their unprecedented growth, are they at risk of over-expansion?
Middle East: Tuesday, November 22 - 2011 at 17:12