Airport Show spotlights biometrics
Airport Show 2026, taking place October 12-14, 2026, at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), will spotlight latest biometric technologies as Middle East airports accelerate transformation to improve passenger experience and efficiency. The region is expected to handle 240 million passengers in 2026, supported by infrastructure expansion and biometric adoption.
Dubai International Airport has introduced AI-powered Smart Tunnel technology, while Abu Dhabi's Zayed International Airport is expanding facial recognition across passenger touchpoints. Dubai Airports COO Majed Al Joker said continued investment in biometric and digital solutions is enhancing operational efficiency.
The event will also highlight progress on Al Maktoum International Airport, which remains on track to begin operations in 2032.
flydubai returns to Aleppo
flydubai has resumed daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Aleppo from July 20, 2026, marking its return to the Syrian city after nearly 14 years and making Aleppo its second destination in Syria alongside Damascus. The new route supports the airline's strategy of connecting underserved markets while strengthening economic, cultural and family ties between the UAE and Syria.
The carrier said the service will meet strong demand from business travellers, visiting friends and relatives (VFR), and cargo operators, while providing a direct link for the Syrian diaspora across the Gulf. The launch follows the successful resumption of Damascus services in 2025, which have since increased to three daily flights due to growing demand. The route will also be available through the flydubai-Emirates codeshare, offering passengers seamless connections across the combined network.
IATA issues pet travel guidance
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has issued new operational guidance to help airlines manage in-cabin pet travel more consistently, covering every stage of the journey from booking and check-in to boarding, the onboard experience and arrival.
The guidance follows IATA's recently introduced recommendations for travelling with service dogs and aims to improve safety, animal welfare and operational efficiency.
According to IATA's 2025 Global Passenger Survey, around a quarter of respondents have or would consider travelling with a pet.
However, 41 per cent cited uncertainty over pet eligibility, 36 per cent were unsure about airline policies, and 34 per cent lacked clarity on the overall travel process. IATA said the new guidelines will help airlines provide a more predictable, consistent and seamless experience for passengers travelling with their pets while supporting industry-wide best practices.
SunExpress expands Middle East Network
SunExpress, the joint venture between Turkish Airlines and Lufthansa, has resumed and expanded its Middle East network as regional operations gradually returned to normal. The carrier resumed flights from Izmir and Antalya to Dubai, while services to Beirut, Erbil and Bahrain also resumed during July, with increased frequencies on selected routes.
The airline also expands into Syria with new services from Antalya and Izmir to Aleppo in early August.
The phased network expansion followed the resumption of routes that had been temporarily suspended due to regional developments.