Air snippets: Riyadh Air, Delta Air Lines, Air Europa, Alaska Airlines, Saudia Airlines, etc.

Africa is preparing for the strongest growth in global air traffic in 2025. The continent is expected to reach 273 million passengers, representing a 9.4% increase compared to 2024, according to ACI forecasts. This performance is due to the rebound in tourism in North Africa and is also driven by growing demand from an expanding middle class, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa.

Air Europa will offer direct flights between Madrid and Rovaniemi, Lapland, during the peak holiday season, thanks to a partnership with World2Meet. The route will operate from November 30, 2020, to January 7, 2026.

Last Tuesday, a very elegant evening was held in Los Angeles where Air France invited 150 American professionals to celebrate the arrival of La Première, its new personal suite designed for luxurious comfort and a flexible living space.

Delta Air Lines will launch nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in October 2026, the carrier announced, citing the “increasing flow of trade and investment” between the two countries and “supporting long-term economic collaboration throughout the region.” Flights will be operated three times a week on Airbus A350-900 aircraft configured with four cabins: Delta One, Premium Select, Comfort, and Main. Delta’s announcement comes about a year after the introduction of a codeshare agreement with Saudia Airlines, the national carrier of Saudi Arabia. Both airlines are members of the SkyTeam alliance. Delta had also previously announced that it would be the « exclusive North American partner » of Saudi Arabia-based Riyadh Air, which is scheduled to launch operations in late 2025 or early 2026. The new airline conducted a test flight to London Heathrow on October 26, according to Riyadh Air.

In addition, Delta customers can now immerse themselves in the world of animation thanks to the airline’s new partnership with Crunchyroll, the global brand offering the largest library of anime streaming services. This unique Crunchyroll experience will be available exclusively on Delta.

Furthermore, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT) and Delta Air Lines inaugurated the first direct Atlanta-Marrakech route. A Boeing 767-400 landed in Marrakech on October 26. This route will operate three times a week and will connect Marrakech to more than 125 destinations in the United States.

On October 26, Icelandair celebrated the launch of its scheduled service to Miami, Florida, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s network. Until May 2, 2026, Icelandair will operate three weekly flights to Miami on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. The route is operated by the airline’s new Airbus A321LR, with a flight time of approximately eight hours. Miami becomes Icelandair’s 19th destination in North America and its second in Florida, complementing its long-standing service to Orlando. The city is renowned for its beautiful beaches, vibrant culture, and lively nightlife.

Etihad Airways inaugurated a daily service between Abu Dhabi and Addis Ababa on October 8, marking its entry into the Ethiopian market. Thanks to this partnership, two daily flights now connect the capitals of the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia.

Wizz Air and Bordeaux Airport are pleased to announce the launch of three new routes linking Bordeaux to major European destinations. The airline will offer two weekly direct flights between Bordeaux and Bucharest Henri Coanda International Airport, as well as three weekly flights to and from Rome Fiumicino and Venice Marco Polo airports. These new routes in Bordeaux confirm Wizz Air’s commitment to strengthening its presence in France.

ANA (All Nippon Airways) and Brussels Airport are celebrating the 10th anniversary of the direct Brussels–Tokyo Narita route, inaugurated on October 25, 2015. Over the past decade, this connection has become a vital bridge between Belgium and Japan, supporting the strong economic, diplomatic, and cultural ties between the two nations. The event was celebrated at Brussels Airport and brought together the Ambassador of Japan to Belgium, representatives from Brussels Airport, partners, and passengers from flight NH232, marking ten years of partnership and shared success.

Ascend Airways Malaysia, a Malaysian-based airline and member of the Avia Solutions Group, the world’s leading provider of ACMI services, has officially obtained its AOC and ASP licenses.