MUSCAT: National carrier Oman Air has announced that it has entered into a codeshare partnership with low-cost airline Salam Air to offer customers enhanced connectivity between the sultanate and five other international destinations, starting from today (October 1). Under the agreement, Oman Air is putting its “WY” code on Salam Air flights between Muscat and Chittagong, Dhaka, Sialkot, Multan and Khartoum. Tickets are now on sale at the Oman Air’s website and also travel agencies. Oman Air CEO Abdulaziz Al Raisi said: “We are proud and delighted with our new partnership with Salam Air. This codeshare agreement will make it…
Author: holidayweekly
KARACHI: Last week SereneAir senior management visited Polani’s group head office. Seen here in the picture, Muhammad Yahya Polani, Vice Chairman TAAP, Convener FPCCI Standing Committee on Aviation & Chairman Polani’s Group presenting Ajrak to Mr. Raza Channa, Consultant & CEO SereneAir. Muhammad Khizer Polani, Saad Polani Directors of Polani’s Group, and Syed Adil Sohail, Manager Sales and Marketing SereneAir, Aftab Moin, Hasan-ur-Rehman are also seen in the picture.
BEIJING: As China’s busiest holiday season approaches, Beijing has warned that it will punish those who climb the “wild Great Wall”. The term is often used to describe parts of the famous landmark that are not restored and closed to tourists. Fines will be enforced more strictly over Golden Week, with thousands of domestic tourists expected to visit. China is banking on the holiday to boost its badly hit tourism industry. “This year’s National Day holiday lasts eight days and the number of visitors to explore the ‘wild Great Wall’ is bound to increase,” Yu Hankuan, Director of the Yanqing…
DUBAI: Emirates airline has introduced self-check-in and bag drop kiosks for a more seamless airport experience at Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport. The service is now available to customers travelling to all destinations except to the US, Canada, China, India and Hong Kong due to additional requirements from these destinations. The 16 new self-service bags drop machines and 8 self-service kiosks complement the desks manned by Emirates check-in agents to reduce waiting time for customers during peak periods and improve the customer experience in Dubai. More self-services facilities are planned to be added in the coming months. The kiosks allow…
LONDON: A government plan to end VAT-free shopping for international visitors at the end of the year could cost the UK billions of pounds in lost income, travel and retail bosses have warned. In a letter to the chancellor, the heads of firms such as Marks & Spencer, Heathrow and Selfridges said the move also put 70,000 jobs at risk. About £3.5bn in tax-free sales are made to non-EU tourists each year. The Treasury says the tax relief is costly and vulnerable to fraud. Under the VAT Retail Export Scheme (VAT RES), international visitors to the UK can reclaim the…
ISLAMABAD: Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued new SOPs for international flights and charter flights. The new rules and regulations will be applicable from October 5 to December 31. According to details, there are 2 categories of countries around the world for COVID-19 risk assessment. PCR test will not be required for passengers coming from Category ‘A’ countries. Category A includes 38 countries, including Australia, Canada, China, Singapore, Germany and Japan, while Category ‘B’ passengers will be required to show the COVID-19 PCR test. Passengers coming to Pakistan will be required to download the Pass Track mobile application. Passengers will…
RIYADH: The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia (JCSA) on Tuesday announced the return of the world’s richest horse race, the $20-million Saudi Cup, as well as a prize money increase and a new international race. The race will take place on February 19 and 20, 2021. At a series of press events held via video link from King Abdulaziz Racecourse in Riyadh, HRH Prince Bandar Bin Khalid Al Faisal, Chairman of the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia, was keen to build on the success of the inaugural Saudi Cup. “It’s hard to overstate the success of Saudi Cup 2020 when…
KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group & Former President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry Siraj Kassam Teli along with newly elected President KCCI M. Shariq Vohra, Senior Vice President Saquib Goodluck and Vice President Shamsul Islam pose for a group photo after assuming their offices for the year 2020-21.
DOHA: Qatar Airways has received around US$2 billion in state aid as the flag-carrier battles the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. Branding 2019/20 one of its “most difficult years,” the Middle Eastern airline noted it had also been hit by the ongoing blockade of Qatari airspace and the collapse of Air Italy in recent months. Changes to accounting policy had also taken a toll, the airline said, releasing it financial results for the past year. This headwind saw net losses nearly double to seven billion riyals (US$1.92 billion) for the 12-months to March. The airline confirmed that Qatar had joined…
Tourism has been among the hardest hit of all sectors by the COVID-19 pandemic. No country has been unaffected. Restrictions on travel and a sudden drop in consumer demand have led to an unprecedented fall in international tourism numbers, which in turn have led to economic loss and the loss of jobs. Women, youth, and workers in the informal economy are the most at risk from tourism sector job losses and business closures due to the pandemic. At the same time, the destinations most reliant on tourism for jobs and economic growth are likely to be the hardest hit. The tourism crisis is…