Abu Dhabi's Etihad Aviation Group has appointed Antonoaldo Neves as chief executive, replacing Tony Douglas, who is departing the company. Neves is a former chief executive of TAP Air Portugal, where he led a major turnaround, and before that served as president of Brazilian carrier Azul. In a prior role as a partner at McKinsey, he developed a long-term plan for the development of Brazil's aviation sector. Douglas has served as Etihad group chief executive since January 2018, spearheading a transformation project by cutting costs and revamping the airline's network, resulting in a first-half 2022 operating profit of $296 million. He has decided to depart in order to pursue "an opportunity elsewhere", according to Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund ADQ, to which ownership of Etihad Aviation Group has been transferred from the emirate's government. During a transition phase, Douglas will remain an adviser to the board of ADQ Aviation and Aerospace Services Company. A date for Neves to take over has not been disclosed. "Tony has led Etihad through some of its most challenging times and has successfully turned the airline into a profitable and sustainable business over the past five years as part of its initial transformation programme," states Etihad group chairman Mohammed Ali Al Shorafa. "As we’re entering our next phase of sustainable growth, we are confident that Antonoaldo will build on Tony's legacy." Douglas states that despite the "unprecedented challenges" faced by the industry over recent years, the company has now been placed on a sustainable path for the future.

Flydubai on 19 October announced a new multi-year flight-hour component support contract with AAR, expanding its relationship with the airline to include additional aircraft in its Boeing 737 Max fleet. AAR will grow its onsite team and work alongside Flydubai to ensure real-time decision making and seamless interaction throughout the duration of this contract, the US maintenance provider says.The inventory for this programme will be located in Dubai. Flydubai operates a single fleet-type of 68 737s that includes 32 737-800s, 33 Max 8s and three Max 9s. It is expected to take delivery of 11 Max aircraft by the end of 2022 as it continues to retire 737NGs. AAR began supporting Flydubai's flagship fleet of 737 Max in 2017 and signed a contract extension for its 737NG fleet in 2021.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) have signed a comprehensive air transport agreement to enhance direct connectivity between the two regions, while upgrading rules and standards for concerned flights. The ASEAN-EU Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement (ASEAN-EU CATA) agreement took effect on 17 October and provides greater opportunities for airlines of ASEAN and the EU to operate passenger and cargo services between and beyond both regions, which will help bolster the recovery of air connectivity between the two regions following the Covid-19 pandemic, the two regions said in separate press releases. Under the "bloc-to-bloc" deal, airlines of ASEAN and the EU will be able to fly any number of services between both regions. In addition, airlines of each country of one bloc will be able to fly up to 14 weekly passenger services and any number of cargo services to each country of the other bloc with fifth freedom traffic rights, via any third country or beyond to any third country. Negotiations on the agreement commenced in 2016 and concluded on 2 June 2021. European commissioner for transport, Adina Valean states: "The agreement replaces more than 140 bilateral air services agreements, thereby providing a single set of rules and reducing red tape. The agreement also provides us with a new platform to work jointly towards our shared commitment to economically, socially and environmentally sustainable aviation." As a next step, the parties will launch the ratification process in line with their respective procedures to bring the agreement in force.