Gregory Polek has spent his entire career in aviation journalism with AIN, starting as a proofreader and assistant to then-managing editor Mary Mahoney in 1995 after serving an internship with&nbsp;New Jersey Monthly&nbsp;magazine and completing his B.A. degree in English/Writing at New Jersey’s William Paterson College. By 1997 Polek accepted a position as an associate editor, covering the regional airline beat for&nbsp;Aviation International News&nbsp;in place of retiring industry veteran Don Anderson. The assignment took Polek across North America and Europe to profile regional airlines varying in size and mission from the likes of floatplane operators Kenmore Air and Chalk’s Ocean Airways to regional jet operators such as SkyWest and American Eagle. Today, in his dual role as Air Transport Editor and International Airshow Editor, Polek writes, edits, and manages AIN’s commercial aviation content while overseeing each of the company’s daily international air show publications in Paris, Farnborough, Singapore, and Dubai. Most recently Polek has assumed oversight of daily coverage of the Helicopter Association International’s annual Heli-Expo convention.

Senior Editor

Gregory Polek

Saudi Arabia’s General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA) has approved the request received from the United Arab Emirates’ General Civil Aviation Authority to overfly the kingdom’s territory to all countries, according to the official Saudi Press Agency, citing an “official source” with GACA. The opening of the airspace gives UAE airlines the opportunity to fly scheduled operations to Israel, but it remains unclear whether or not Saudi Arabia will grant the same permission to Israeli airlines.

 


GACA did, however, allow for a ceremonial first flight by El Al from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi to pass through its territory on Monday, raising expectations that Saudi Arabia would open its airspace to Israeli airlines as well. So far only Israel’s Israir has signaled its intention to fly regular service between the Jewish state and the UAE, while officials in the Emirates remain quiet about their intentions for Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways.

 


Emirati officials have expressed consternation about the idea that Israel plans the mere “suspension” of the annexation of parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, rather than a full cessation of that program, the understanding on which sides reached an agreement on full diplomatic normalization last month.

News about commercial airlines, including regulations, aircraft orders, safety, acquisitions, and mergers.

Saudi Arabia To Grant UAE Carriers Full Airspace Access

The decision to allow UAE airlines to fly over Saudi territory on their way to any country raises the possibility of flights to Israel.

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Hanneke Weitering

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Archer plans demo flight at 2025 World Expo in Osaka

JAL/Sumitomo Subsidiary Soracle To Operate Archer’s eVTOL in Japan

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

Britain's new government is under pressure to invest in public infrastructure

How Regional Air Mobility Could Boost the UK's Strained Transport Network

News about environmental issues relating to aircraft operations, including noise issues, emissisions, and regulations. See Fuel for biofuel.

Danish charter and scheduled operator could buy up to 15 of the electric seaplanes

Nordic Seaplanes Signs for Elfly's Noemi Electric Amphibious Aircraft

Odys' blown-wing design is being developed for both uncrewed freighter and piloted airliner roles

Fiji Airways Plans To Connect Pacific Islands with Laila VTOL

Scotland-based regional airline aims to achieve zero carbon emissions

Loganair and Heart Team To Decarbonize UK Domestic Flights

UK green start-up airline wants to operate domestic services with zero carbon emissions

Ecojet Plans To Operate Arc Aerosystems' Linx P9 Hybrid Helicopter

Cathy Buyck

News and issues relating to international air transport and cargo carriers, national airlines and regional airlines, including aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

The Boeing electronic flight bag solution will support the low-cost carrier’s 737NG and Max fleet

Ryanair to Use Jeppesen FliteDeck Pro 5.0 EFB 

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

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