The new route will connect Zayed International Airport, Abu Dhabi (AUH) with Bacha Khan International Airport (PEW) in Peshawar, offering seamless connections to Etihad’s growing list of dots on its route map.

Antonoaldo Neves, chief executive officer of Etihad Airways said: "We are thrilled to further expand our presence in Pakistan with the launch of our daily service between Abu Dhabi and Peshawar. This new route reflects our commitment to providing vital connectivity for travellers between Pakistan and the Gulf, Africa, Europe, and North America. In addition to new flights to Peshawar, we are boosting our frequency to Karachi to 17 flights a week from 1 October."

This impressive growth will be under the spotlight at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM) at the end of April, where Saudi Arabia will present its latest tourism milestones, showcase new projects and highlight its vision to become a premier destination.

ATM 2025 will feature several prominent exhibitors from the Kingdom. In addition to the Saudi Tourism Authority, returning exhibitors include Saudi, flynas, Qiddiya Investment Company, Sixth Gulf Travel Company, Taiba Investment, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Fairmont Hotel, Cruise Saudi, and L'azure Hospitality. First-time exhibitors this year include flyadeal, Riyadh Air, Diriyah Company, Aseer, BAAN Holding Group, Makkah Hotel & Towers, Alhussam Tourism, and StayKSA.

These exhibitors, along with many others, will be highlighted in a dedicated Saudi Land hall, an expanded version of last year’s ATM Saudi Village, which will be representative of the Saudi Arabian culture, heritage and tourism, while reflecting the upward trajectory of the Kingdom’s travel industry, which has seen Saudi Arabian exhibitor presence increase by 16% this year. 

Recent research conducted by VIDEC, on behalf of ATM, has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s remarkable status as the largest and fastest-growing economy within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. In 2023, Saudi Arabia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached an impressive USD 1.1 trillion, translating to a per capita GDP of USD 32,500. This positions the nation as one of the most significant and influential markets in the region.

The report further reveals that the contribution of the non-oil sector to the country's GDP has increased substantially, reaching 63% in 2021. This represents a significant leap from 39% in 2000, indicating a strategic diversification of the economy away from reliance on oil revenues. Saudi Arabia also experienced a surge in inbound leisure tourists in 2023, growing from 1.12 million in 2019 to 6.2 million. Meanwhile, domestic travel grew from 48 million to 78 million in the same period.

Danielle Curtis, exhibition director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Saudi Tourism Authority’s unwavering commitment to the event highlights the Kingdom’s rapid progress in establishing itself as a world-class tourism hub and reflects the broader momentum of investment, innovation and ambition that is driving the region’s travel sector forward. This year, ATM 2025 will have one of the strongest Saudi presences to date, with leading airlines, hospitality brands and cruise representation taking centre stage.”

VIDEC estimates that Saudi Arabia’s Total Air Market (TAM) will grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.2%, reaching USD11.3 billion by 2028. With SAUDIA focusing on international expansion and new airline Riyadh Air aiming to connect the Kingdom with over 100 cities by 2030, the report predicts that this will have a significant impact on the international air travel market, which is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.1% until 2028.

The report also outlines how Saudi Arabia’s hotel market accounted for 60% of the GCC’s hotel market in 2024, emphasising its dominant position in the region. Hotel bookings are predominantly driven by the domestic market, which accounts for approximately 70% of the Gross Booking Value (GBV). With 40,000 hotels under development, adding approximately 320,000 rooms, the Kingdom’s hotel market is set to accelerate further.

Saudi Arabia’s growing importance in the global travel industry will be explored during the ATM Conference Programme, which will unfold across three stages – the Global Stage, the Future Stage and the New Business Events Stage and will feature 68 sessions, led by 185 high-profile speakers.

The route will be served by carrier’s fleet of Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 787-9s. 

Qatar Airways chief commercial officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways’ increase in flights to Manchester comes as part of enhancing connectivity from all over the world to the “Capital of the North”. Global passengers will soon have greater choice and comfort when traveling to Manchester with Qatar Airways through our award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH) – voted World’s Best Airport and World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax in 2024.”

The new service will be operated by a Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.

Mesfin Tasew, Ethiopian Airlines Group CEO, said: “We are excited to expand our passenger flight network in the U.A.E. with the addition of Sharjah, a key economic hub in the United Arab Emirates. This new service complements our existing cargo operations and strengthens our connectivity to the Middle East. With enhanced travel options, our customers can now explore the UAE’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic business landscape with greater convenience.”

With this addition, Ohrid becomes the flag carrier’s second destination in North Macedonia after Skopje, its 123rd destination in Europe, and its 353rd worldwide.

Lake Ohrid, one of Europe’s richest areas in terms of biodiversity, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979, making it a symbol of the city. In 1980, the entire city of Ohrid was placed under UNESCO protection due to its historical, cultural, and natural significance.

Turkish Airlines has begun operating reciprocal flights between Istanbul Airport and Ohrid St. Paul the Apostle Airport four times a week.

Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said: “We are pleased to commence daily direct flights to Krabi, Thailand, from Mumbai as well as Bengaluru, marking a significant milestone in fostering India-Thailand bilateral ties. With these convenient flights our customers can enjoy this resort town and its local landmarks & panoramic views. IndiGo now operates over 95 flights, a week, from India to Thailand."

With three weeks remaining until Arabian Travel Market (ATM), the event is on course to attract a record number of high value visitors, with registrations up 104% compared to the same time last year, reinforcing its position as an essential platform for travel trade professionals around the world.

International markets account for a substantial 52% of total visitor registrations, highlighting the event’s global appeal and underscoring the importance of fostering cross-cultural connections and collaborations. Meanwhile, visitors from the UAE and GCC contribute significantly to the total figures, accounting for 48% of registrations.

Danielle Curtis, Exhibition Director ME, Arabian Travel Market, said: “Increased international attendance strengthens the global profile of ATM, providing a vital boost to the local economy and driving revenue in sectors such as hospitality, retail, and travel, thereby demonstrating the impact and strength of business events.”

“This year’s edition is expected to see notable growth in participation from key regions, reflecting demand from across the global tourism industry.” 

India, with its thriving outbound travel market and expanding aviation sector, remains a significant source of demand for the travel industry. Egypt’s tourism revenues reached US$15.3 billion in 2024, representing a more than 100% increase over the last decade, with the government setting a target of 30 million tourists by 2032. Major tourism investments in Saudi Arabia, driven by Vision 2030 initiatives, have positioned the Kingdom as a strong player in the global travel market. The UK remains a crucial hub for both inbound and outbound tourism, with a significant presence in business travel and among tour operators.

Last year, ATM 2024 saw a significant increase in visitors from Africa, the Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East, notching impressive year-on-year increases of 51%, 53%, 40%, and 26%, respectively, with indications that the growth trend will be replicated during this year’s edition. Regionally, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait saw some of the most significant visitor increases, up 48%, 40%, 39%, 28%, and 37%, respectively.

The airline is now servicing Windhoek in Namibia, following the launch of Orlando/Florida in March. The Lufthansa Group's leisure airline is thus expanding the Munich route network to Africa and developing its new long-haul base at Munich Airport.

Discover Airlines now operates to Windhoek three times a week.

The new route will operate three times a week on Airbus A320 aircraft from King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh to Vienna starting June 2025.

Jeyhun Efendi, divisional senior vice president, commercial operations and E-commerce at Flydubai, said: “Since 2009, we have remained committed to opening up underserved markets and enhancing connectivity for our passengers, and we are pleased to do just that with our three-times weekly service to Pisa. As we approach the busy summer travel period, we look forward to welcoming more passengers on board who can expect a comfortable travel experience whether they are in Business or Economy Class.”