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• Abu Dhabi passenger traffic increases 13% in the first half despite regional challenges

  Abu Dhabi Airports announced on Monday that passenger traffic increased by 13.1% to 15,8 million passengers in the first six months of the year. This is despite the periodic disruptions in air travel in the Middle East due to conflicts. The airport in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, handled the majority of traffic. It had 15.5 million passengers. This was an increase of 13.2% compared to the first half last year. In the six-month period ending June 30, the number of flights at AUH rose by 11.4%, to almost 94,000. Abu Dhabi Airports announced that new airlines have joined their network, increasing the number of destinations to China and India. They also noted the demand for tourism and business travel. These increases were made despite disruptions, including a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran that took place last month. This war forced the closure of airspace in several Gulf countries and forced airlines and airports to reroute and suspend some flights. Etihad Airways, Abu Dhabi’s main airline, temporarily cancelled flights to Kuwait, Doha and Dammam in Saudi Arabia and suspended Israel-bound flights during a few weeks of June. Last week, Wizz Air announced that it will cease its Abu Dhabi operations on September 1, citing various factors such as geopolitical instabilities. In a press release, Abu Dhabi Airports CEO Elena Sorlini stated that "the first six months of the year presented some operational challenges." She added that the results of the company demonstrated the resilience and strength of its network. Abu Dhabi Airports operates Al Ain International Airport as well as Al Bateen Executive Airport. Delma Island Airport is also operated by Abu Dhabi Airports. Reporting by Luke Tyson Editing Mark Potter

• Flexjet is valued at $4 billion following funding by LVMH-backed private investment firm

  Flexjet announced on Monday that it raised $800m in a funding led by L Catterton. This private equity firm is backed by LVMH. The deal valued the U.S. Jet operator at $4billion, just two years after a failed deal with Todd Boehly’s SPAC. Funding comes at a time when more private companies are seeking to remain private and have greater control over their decisions, less regulatory scrutiny, as well as access to private capital. The round was also attended by affiliates of KSL Capital Partners, LLC, J. Safra Group, and other companies. This is a significant increase over the $3.1 billion that Flexjet had originally planned to raise through Todd Boehly’s blank-check company Horizon Acquisition Corp. II by late 2022. The deal fell through the next year. Flexjet wants to expand its fleet with an emphasis on larger aircraft, international flights and other services. Following a $7 Billion Deal with Embraer For 182 Phenom or Praetor Executive Jets with 30 additional options. JPMorgan analysts forecast that the deal will increase Embraer’s total backlog of about 26%, to $28,7 billion. Flexjet intends to double its fleet over the next five-year period. Kenn Ricci, Flexjet Chairman, said: "L Catterton offers the perfect opportunity to collaborate in areas such consumer insights, retail expansion and luxury product delivery." Flexjet, founded 30 years ago, provides fractional ownership, leasing and jet cards in the private aviation industry. Directional Aviation is the new owner of Flexjet, a private equity firm. Financial Times was first to report the funding round. Reporting by Surbhi Misra in Bengaluru and Pritam Biwas; editing by Rashmi aich and Tasim zahid

• Putin announces that foreign vessels will need to be approved by the FSB before entering Russian ports

  According to a presidential decree, foreign vessels must be approved by the FSB to enter the Russian ports. In the decree, it was stated that the FSB (the main successor organization to the Soviet KGB) would be the one to agree with port authorities to allow foreign ships entry. The decree came into effect immediately. Previously, the Transport Ministry set entry rules and there were special procedures in ports near naval bases. It was clear that the new decrete would be applicable to all ports. The new decree did not give any explanation for the change. The West closely monitors Russian ships, including those of the shadow fleet that Moscow uses to avoid sanctions. The European Union lowered sanctions last week. Price cap Donald Trump has threatened to impose sanctions on Russia for its efforts to squeeze oil revenues Additional sanctions On Russia and its buyers unless they agree to end the Ukraine War.

• Kremlin admits Azerbaijani relations are strained, but hopes for a recovery

  The Kremlin announced on Monday that the Russia-Azerbaijan relationship is going through a tough phase, but Moscow hopes they will recover. Ilham Aliyev, the Azerbaijani president, said on Saturday that he wants Russia to publicly admit it accidentally shot down a passenger plane from Azerbaijan in December last year, killing all 38 people aboard, and punish those responsible. In recent weeks, tensions between Moscow and Baku also increased following the death of two Azerbaijani men who were in Russian police custody. Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said that the relations between Russia and Ukraine were built on a solid basis of common interests. Sometimes, there are tough times in the relationship between the two nations. "This is one of those periods, and we are hopeful that it will pass," he said to reporters. (Reporting and writing by Dmitry Antonov; editing by Mark Trevelyan).

• Kremlin acknowledges tension in Russia-Azerbaijan relationships

  Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesperson, said that Russia-Azerbaijan relationships are going through a difficult phase. However, Moscow is hopeful of an improvement, as both countries have common interests. In recent months, tensions between Moscow and Baku grew after several ethnic Azerbaijanis were detained in Russia. Two of these Azerbaijanis died in police custody. Ilham Aliyev said on Saturday that he wants Russia to publicly admit it accidentally shot down a passenger plane from Azerbaijan in December of last year and killed 38 people. He also wants to punish the responsible parties. At the time, President Vladimir Putin apologized to Aliyev over what the Kremlin referred to as a "tragic event" in Russia where an Azerbaijan Airlines aircraft crashed after Russian air defenses opened fire on Ukrainian drones. Putin did not say that Russia shot down the plane.

• Bild reports that Germany plans to reverse the increase in air tax.

  Bild reported that the German coalition government will discuss the issue of reversing an unpopular increase in the air traffic tax as part its budget for 2026. Ryanair, a budget airline, has been among the loudest critics of international airlines who complain that flights to and from German airports are too expensive. The newspaper reported that the tourism policy coordinator of the German government, Christoph Ploss said: "The increase in the air traffic tax should be cancelled and the charges at German airports reduced." According to a report, the transport ministry will work for the reversal in the tax increases. After the news, shares of Lufthansa rose by 2.2%. The coalition agreement under the leadership of Chancellor Friedrich Merz did not include a timetable for reducing the financial burden placed on aviation. The German Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil will present the draft budget for 2026 next week. Companies are eagerly awaiting any promised relief, despite increased pressure on state finances due to increased spending on defense and economic uncertainty. In May 2024 the air traffic tax will increase from 12.48 euros to 15.53 euros for short-haul flights. Ploss claimed that the previous government led by the Social Democrats, who are now junior coalition partners, increased the cost of holidays for millions Germans. "A well-deserved vacation in Mallorca should not be unaffordable," said he. Ralph Beisel said that reversing the policy "would be an urgent and first step in the right directions" in a press release. "A reorientation in aviation policy is required for our country." (Reporting and editing by Matthias Williams, Christina Fincher and Rachel More)

• Air India Jet Skids During Landing in Mumbai, Damages aircraft and runway

  Air India's Airbus A320 veered off of the runway during a landing at Mumbai International Airport in heavy rain on Monday. The runway was briefly closed and one engine's underside was damaged. Air India has confirmed that all passengers and crew have disembarked. However, it did not mention if anyone had been injured. Air India flight AI2744 flew from Kochi, in southern Kerala to Mumbai. Mumbai airport issued a statement saying that "minor damage" had been reported on the primary runway due to a "runway deviation". A secondary runway was activated in order to maintain operational continuity. Air India confirmed that the aircraft was grounded to conduct checks. According to a Times of India article, which cited sources, three tyres burst after the landing. NDTV's and India Today's TV footage showed that the outer casing was damaged with cracks. Air India is under scrutiny after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner crash in Ahmedabad, India last month that killed 260 people. Air India Express was reported to have falsified documents to prove compliance with a directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency to replace engine parts on an Airbus A320. (Reporting and editing by Adityakalra, Peter Graff and Abhijith Ganahapavaram)

• Ryanair's profits rebound as bookings indicate a strong summer

  Ryanair said that its net profit for the April-June period more than doubled due to higher than expected last-minute prices and the timing Easter holidays. Bookings are also "robust" for the rest of summer, the largest low-cost airline in Europe reported on Monday. The Irish airline is Europe's biggest by passenger numbers. It said that it did not see a trend in bookings being made later than normal. Neil Sorahan, Chief Financial Officer, said that "bookings are very good across the board." He described consumer confidence as being "very strong." At 0725 GMT the shares of the airline rose 6.5% to 24.58 euros, which is just below their all-time record high of 24.98 euros set on July 8. Ryanair's first quarter net profit was 820 million euro ($953 millions) and ended on 30th June. This is up from 360 million euro in the same time period last year, when Easter fell in March, as well as 663 million dollars in 2023, when Easter fell in April. Ryanair's poll of analysts predicted 716 million Euros. The average fares increased by 21% during the quarter, recovering more than 15% of the fall in fares recorded in the same period last year. Ryanair is expecting to recover "almost" all of its 7% fare drop last year. It was affected by a weak consumer sentiment, and a dispute between it and some online travel agencies. Ryanair predicted in June that "some" of the 7% would recover. Sorahan responded to a question about the recent comments from British low-cost rivals EasyJet & Jet2 that customers are booking later: "We don't see those kinds of trends at any time." He said that rivals are likely to see a negative effect from the resolution Ryanair's dispute over online travel agencies. Ryanair's profits for the coming year are heavily dependent on close-in bookings for August and September. However, O'Leary stated that the rebound in airfares should result in "reasonable growth in net profit" for the period ending March 31. Ryanair, as Boeing's biggest customer in Europe is especially exposed to possible tariffs for commercial aircraft. However, the airline expressed hope that the United States and European Union could agree on an exemption. "We are all hopeful, and perhaps a little bit confident that we might be able to do something," said CFO Sorahan.

• Turkey seeks new agreement with Iraq on suspended oil pipeline

  A senior Turkish official said on Monday that Turkey is willing to negotiate with Iraq a new deal to restart operations of an oil pipeline that was halted between the two nations during a dispute about unauthorised Iraqi imports. The Turkish Official Gazette published a decision on Monday that the deal, which dates back to the 1970s and is called the Turkey-Iraq Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement, as well as all protocols or memorandums after it will be terminated by July 27, 2026. Iraq and Turkey are working together to restart oil flow from the pipeline that runs to Turkey's Ceyhan Port following Turkey's decision to stop them in March 2023, after the International Chamber of Commerce had ordered Ankara pay Baghdad damages of $1.5 billion for unauthorised exports in the period between 2014 and 2018. The Turkish government has appealed the decision. Ankara said that it was ready to resume its operations. However, talks to this end hit a snag over contracts and payments in March. Officials said that the pipeline could become "a highly active and strategic pipeline in the region". The person said that Turkey has invested heavily in maintaining the road and noted its importance to regional projects such as the Development Road, a planned route of trade between Turkey and Iraq. The official did not give details about what Ankara wanted in the new agreement. Iraq has not yet commented on this decision. Reporting by Huseyin Haiatsever and Mehmet dinar. Tuvan Gumrukcu wrote the article. Daring Butler and Mark Potter (Editing)

• Official: Turkey wants to 'new and lively' phase of Iraq-Turkey pipeline

  Ankara is concerned about the under-utilisation of the oil pipeline that connects Iraq with Turkey. It wants to see a "new, vibrant phase" for the benefit of both parties as well as the region. Ankara announced in a decision of the Turkish president published earlier in the day in the Official Gazette that the Turkey-Iraq Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement, which was signed by the Turkish government in 1973 and implemented in 1975, and all protocols and memorandums following it will cease to exist on July 27, 2026. Officials said that the pipeline could become "a highly active and strategic pipeline in the region". They also noted that Turkey had heavily invested in its maintenance. The person stated that "a new and vibrant phase will benefit both countries as well as the region in general." (Reporting and writing by Huseyin Haatsever, Editing by Daren Butler)

• Source: Evidence suggests Jeju Air pilots turned off the less-damaged engines before crash.

  Sources familiar with the investigation said Monday that the South Korean-led probe into the fatal plane crash of Jeju Air in December had "clear proof" that the pilots turned off the engine less damaged after a bird struck. Source: The evidence, which included the cockpit voice recording, computer data, and a physical switch found in wreckage, showed that pilots took emergency measures after a bird struck the aircraft just before the scheduled landing. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity as investigators had not yet released an official report that included this evidence, said: "The investigation team's findings will not change." According to a government source, the recovered engines of the plane were examined and found to be in perfect condition. The crash of a Boeing 737-800 at Muan Airport on December 29, which killed all but 2 of the 181 passengers, crew and other people on board was the worst air disaster to ever occur on South Korean soil. At a Saturday briefing, investigators informed the family members of the victims that the right engine was more severely damaged than the left. According to a third person who attended the briefing, there was circumstantial proof that the pilots had shut off the left engine which was less badly damaged. On Saturday and Sunday, South Korean media outlets such as MBN and Yonhap published this information. The Aviation and Railway Accident Investigation Board of South Korea (ARAIB), the organization that is leading this investigation, has not responded to a comment request immediately. Boeing referred all questions regarding the crash to ARAIB. CFM International, a joint-venture between GE France and Safran, the engine maker, has not responded to a comment request. Jeju Air stated that it is actively cooperating in the ARAIB investigation and awaits the official announcement of results. The majority of air crashes have multiple causes, and international standards require a final report within one year after an accident. In a preliminary report published in January, it was reported that duck remains had been found in both engines after the plane crashed from Bangkok at Muan Airport. However, the report did not provide details on the extent of damage or remains found in each engine. OBJECTIONS OF VICTIMS’ FAMILIES The South Korean investigation body cancelled on Saturday a planned media release of what was known about the engines. Lawyers representing the families of crash victims informed them of the report before its release. However, they objected, saying it seemed to assign blame to the pilots, without considering other contributing factors. Jeju Air's flight made an emergency belly-landing and overshot Muan Airport runway. It crashed into an embankment that contained navigation equipment and caused a partial explosion and fire. Over the weekend, representatives of the families of the victims and the Jeju Air Pilots' Union said that the investigation should also focus on the embankment which aviation experts say likely contributed to the large death toll. The Jeju Air Pilots' Union said that the ARAIB "misled the public" when it suggested there was no issue with the left-hand engine, given the fact that bird remains had been found in both engines. The union claimed that ARAIB was trying to "scapegoat" the pilots by not providing scientific and technical evidence to support the claim that the plane would have landed with the left engine only turned on. The union stated that air accidents are complex events that can be caused by a variety of factors. Investigators have yet to produce evidence to support that the accident occurred as a result pilot error. The union claimed that investigators have been "silent" about the organisational responsibility. In a statement, a group representing bereaved family members said that certain phrases in the planned release could be misinterpreted as concluding the cause of accident. All facts regarding the incident should be clarified. (Reporting and editing by Jamie Freed; Additional reporting by Joyce Lee, Hyunjoo Ji and Lisa Barrington)

• Turkey announces that the pipeline agreement with Iraq will expire on July 2026

  According to a ruling that was published in the Official Gazette of Turkey on Monday, the 1975 agreement between Turkey and Iraq on pipelines will expire on July 20, 2026. The neighbours are continuing their work on restarting oil flow from an existing pipe. The presidential order states that the Turkey-Iraq Crude Oil Pipeline Agreement, which was signed by the Turkish government in 1973 and implemented in 1975, and all protocols and memoranda following it will cease to exist on July 27, 2026. The decision was made without any explanation. Iraq and Turkey are working together to restore oil flow from a pipeline that runs to Turkey's Ceyhan Port. In March 2023, Turkey halted the oil exports after the International Chamber of Commerce ordered Ankara pay Baghdad $1.5billion in damages due to unauthorised exports from 2014-2018. The Turkish government has stated that it is prepared to resume operations. However, talks have stalled over payment and contract issues. (Reporting and writing by Mehmet dinar; Editing and editing by Daren Butler).