Oman Air sets new occupancy record at 88 per cent
Oman Air has recorded its highest ever seat occupancy, achieving a record 88 per cent total load factor in January 2025, reflecting the percentage of available seats filled with passengers and demonstrating how efficiently the airline has utilised its capacity. Of the 41 destinations Oman Air flew to last month, several achieved load factors as high as 95 per cent. The airline has surged ahead of the global average, which was 83.5 per cent for 2024, according to the latest numbers from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). An impressive 77 per cent occupancy was also achieved for its Business Class seats. Simultaneously, the airline is also growing its point-to-point market share to attract more tourists into Oman and contribute to the country’s economic goals. Empire Aviation Group to usher ePlane in region India's leading eVTOL manufacturer, The ePlane Company, and Empire Aviation Group, a premier award-winning provider of integrated business aviation solutions based in Dubai, announced a strategic collaboration at Aero India 2025. This collaboration aims to fast-track the deployment of eVTOL air-taxis and air-ambulances across India, UAE, Thailand, and Indonesia, setting the stage for a global expansion in urban air mobility. As urban air mobility gains momentum worldwide, this collaboration represents a significant step towards making eVTOL operations a reality in some of the fastest-growing aviation markets. Empire Aviation Group will leverage its deep expertise in aviation operations, including safety protocols, SOPs, and fleet management, to ensure seamless market entry for ePlane’s cutting-edge eVTOL aircraft. In addition, Empire Aviation shall consider a strategic investment in ePlane in the next round of funding subject to mutually agreeing terms. Qatar Airways equips 30th Plane with Starlink Qatar Airways, the largest global airline to offer Starlink’s high-speed internet on board, has achieved a new milestone with the installation of Starlink on its 30th aircraft, equipping over 50 per cent of its Boeing 777 fleet. This achievement comes four months after the airline launched the world’s first Boeing 777 Starlink-enabled flight and two months after surpassing its initial 2024 target of 12 installations by upgrading 15 aircraft with Starlink connectivity. Soaring ahead of competitors, Qatar Airways has significantly accelerated its Starlink rollout, cutting installation time per aircraft from three or two days to just 9.5 hours, reducing the retrofit by nearly three-quarters of the initial timeline. The airline has ensured a seamless process with no impact on operations or flight schedules by carefully timing the installations to fit within a 12-hour overnight timeframe. Riyadh Air unveils sonic brand Riyadh Air has released its captivating new sonic brand, “Sound of a New Era,” revealing one of the first key guest experience touchpoints, with seats, airport and inflight products set to be shared in the near future, as the airline approaches its first flight later in 2025. This sonic identity, composed and orchestrated at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios, is the creation of a talented mix of Saudi and international artists, designed to tell stories across horizons. Reflecting Riyadh Air’s mission, the sonic branding creates a journey deeply rooted in cultural identity while setting a benchmark for global premium travel. The Riyadh Air sonic identity will be subtly integrated into various touchpoints throughout the passenger journey, from boarding music and cabin announcements to in-flight entertainment and soothing meal service melodies.