Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) released its March 2026 classification index for airlines and airports based on passenger complaints, reporting a total of 2,033 complaints filed against airlines during the month.
Limited airport operations resumed in Abu Dhabi and Dubai last evening following UAE authorities allowing exceptional flights to take stranded travellers back home.
More than 1.4 million passengers used UAE airports between March 1–12, according to the UAE GCAA. National carriers are restoring operations, reaching 44.6% of overall activity compared with operational levels before the current regional tensions.
Saudi Arabia's Transport General Authority said it has mobilised a fleet of over 500,000 trucks to ensure uninterrupted freight movement and supply chain continuity across the country and the wider Gulf region, with the land transport system serving as a vital link between ports, airports and logistics zones.
Bahrain's Tourism Minister Fatima Al Sairafi said the tourism sector now constitutes seven per cent of the kingdom's total GDP. “The World Tourism Index report issued in January 2026 showed that Bahrain ranked third in the Middle East for visitor growth in 2025 compared with 2024, achieving an 11 per cent increase,” she told a Parliament session.
Abu Dhabi Airports has officially welcomed AnimaWings to Zayed International Airport (AUH), marking the Romanian carrier’s first operations to the UAE capital. Scheduled services began on December 27.
Abu Dhabi Airports has announced a strategic partnership with The Butterfly, an organisation specialising in inclusion and accessibility solutions, to strengthen its human resources capabilities and enhance the guest experience for passengers of all abilities across its airport network.
The 4th edition of Global Airports Forum (GAF), to be held at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC) on December 16 and 17, will see over 50 new exhibitors including flag-carrier Saudia and global travel technology giant Amadeus, along with Airport Innovation Trail and Airport Innovation Hub making its debut.
The Global Airports Forum (GAF) has doubled its exhibition space and expanded the features-rich 4th edition to be held on December 16 and 17 at the Riyadh International Convention and Exhibition Centre (RICEC).
ACI Asia-Pacific & Middle East, the association representing over 600 airports, has called for industry-wide innovation and policy reforms to future-proof airport operations.
