Transportation

Lufthansa Airbus A 340

Mideast airlines see 0.4% dip amid Iran, Gaza wars, as global demand up 2.6%

Conflict-related airspace closures and regional tensions disrupted airlines based in the Middle East.

A train moves during the inauguration of a 140-kilometer line running from eastern Iran into western Afghanistan, at a railroad station in Khaf, on Dec. 10, 2020.

China steps in to help electrify Iran’s railways: What to know

Iran’s First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref met with members of the Iran-China Joint Chamber of Commerce on Monday as ties grow.

Men inspect an electric car at a showroom in Riyadh on June 8, 2024.

Interview

Growing Chinese competition in Mideast car market 'key challenge,' Ford says

Chinese automotive companies are increasing their market share and are projected to capture 34% of the Middle East and Africa market by 2030, according to one analysis.

Ravi Ravichandran

Ravi Ravichandran

President of Ford Middle East and North Africa

An export train to Russia and China leaves the Ankara station, on Jan. 29, 2021.

Turkey secures $2.8B green financing for Azerbaijan railway: What to know

The 223-kilometer railway will connect to the existing train route that joins Turkey’s northeastern city of Kars and the Georgian and Azerbaijani capitals of Tbilisi and Baku.

Latest News

Over 10 years after ISIS takeover, Iraq's Mosul Airport reopens: What to know

ZAID AL-OBEIDI/AFP via Getty Images

From Lebanon to Qatar, Israel-Iran war disrupts flights, airport traffic: What to know

Ground staff prepare a Middle East Airlines flight for departure on the tarmac at Rafic Hariri International Airport in Beirut on May 2, 2025.

Mideast airlines to deliver industry’s highest profit margins in 2025

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Saudi Arabia's flyadeal joins growing list of airlines flying to Syria

This picture shows a Syrian Arab Airlines Airbus A320-200 aircraft and the control tower at Damascus international airport as the new Syrian authorities prepare to reopen it, on December 16, 2024.

Iranian Muslim pilgrims head to Saudi Arabia's Mount Arafat, also known as Jabal al-Rahma or Mount of Mercy, during the climax of the Hajj pilgrimage, on June 27, 2023.

Saudi airline to resume Hajj flights to Iran after 10-year hiatus: What to know

A Saudi-operated flight landed in Tehran last weekend as Iran and Saudi Arabia seek to expand their air connectivity.

GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images

Qatar Airways reports highest-ever yearly profit of $1.7B

The Gulf airline said in a statement it was the strongest financial performance in its 27-year history.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (R) sits next to US President Donald Trump as he speaks to Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg (L).

Analysis

Trump’s Gulf trip lifts embattled Boeing with Qatar, UAE deals

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Pakistan flights

Mideast airlines suspend Pakistan flights following Indian strikes

Pakistan closed its airspace for 48 hours starting early Wednesday following Indian airstrikes on several locations that left at least 15 people dead.

United Arab Emirates

JACK GUEZ/AFP via Getty Images

Israel pounds Yemen after Houthi missile strike near Tel Aviv airport: What to know

Foreign airlines are canceling flights to and from Israel after a missile launched from Yemen landed just outside the terminal at Ben Gurion Airport.

Heathrow

Mideast airlines cancel flights as outage closes Heathrow Airport

At least 1,357 flights were scheduled to depart or arrive from Britain's busiest airport on Friday, and the Middle Eastern carriers were not spared from the disruption.

United Arab Emirates

A commercial aircraft takes off from the runway of Beirut's international airport near the city's southern suburbs on Aug. 9, 2024.

Lebanon bars Iranian flight from landing in Beirut, sparking protests

The incident marks the latest in a series at the Beirut airport, which has been a key point of tension between Iran and people within Lebanon’s government who are cautiously distancing themselves from Iran’s influence.

Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, accompanied by his son, X Musk, speaks to the press as President Donald Trump looks on in the Oval Office at the White House, Washington, DC, Feb. 11, 2025.

Elon Musk's Boring Co. to build Dubai Loop network of tunnels

The loop is a network of underground tunnels, similar to one being developed in Las Vegas, that allows passengers to be transported nonstop, in electric vehicles, to 11 stations.

United Arab Emirates

A Union flag flies above a hangar as a British Airways operated Airbus A747 passenger jet is moved by an aircraft tractor at Heathrow Airport, west of London on April 2, 2020, as life in Britain continues during the nationwide lockdown to combat the novel coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.

Saudi Public Investment Fund takes 15% stake in London's Heathrow Airport

Spanish construction giant Ferrovial said it had closed the sale of a 19.75% stake in the UK capital’s busiest airport for 2 billion euros ($2.1 billion) to the PIF and French investment firm Ardian.

SAM PANTHAKY/AFP via Getty Images

Airbus becomes latest multinational to open regional HQ in Saudi Arabia

The European plane maker aims to develop local talent and technological expertise in the fast-growing Gulf market.

A man climbs the ramp to enter the Boeing 777X demonstration aircraft at the 2021 Dubai Airshow in the Gulf emirate, on Nov. 14, 2021.

Emirates Airline 'frustrated' at aircraft shortage due to manufacturer delays

Executives at the Middle East’s largest airline have frequently expressed their dismay over delays and uncertainty around the delivery of the Boeing 777-9X jets.

United Arab Emirates

An aircraft of Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon's flag carrier, takes off from Beirut International Airport on Oct. 6, 2024 amidst smoke rising from nearby sites targeted overnight by Israeli air strikes in the southern suburbs of the Lebanese capital.

Feature

Flying despite Israeli attacks, Middle East Airlines becomes symbol of pride for Lebanon

As a growing number of airlines cancel and reroute flights in the region to avoid conflict, Lebanon's flagship carrier has provided a sense of stability amid turmoil.

Amberin Zaman

Beatrice Farhat

By Amberin Zaman , Beatrice Farhat