DUBAI: Emirates has agreed to buy five Airbus A380 jets in a sign of the superjumbo jet’s renewed popularity. The Dubai-based carrier is the world’s largest operator of the type, with a fleet of 118, according to data from ch-aviation. In 2011, Emirates started to lease seven A380s from a firm called Doric Nimrod Air Two Limited, the latter said in a London Stock Exchange filing on Wednesday. When the first two leases expired last year, Emirates purchased them. When the remaining five expire later this year, Emirates will buy those jets too — for a total of $200 million,…
Author: holidayweekly
LAHORE: LAHORE: In an effort to alleviate the financial strain on travellers, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has announced a substantial 30% reduction in fares for flights from Karachi to Jeddah and Madinah. According to a spokesperson for the national airline, the new one-way fare from Karachi to Jeddah or Madinah is now set at Rs56,000, inclusive of taxes. The round-trip fare for these routes has been lowered to Rs88,000, also inclusive of taxes. These discounted tickets will be available for purchase until the end of this month. “Passengers can book these reduced-fare tickets until August 31, 2024, with travel permitted…
ISLAMABAD: ISLAMABAD: On Saturday last, a private company called Messers Sunshine Heights filed a petition with the Supreme Court. They want the court to review its decision from June 11, 2024, which said that all leases and allotments inside the Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) were against the Islamabad Wildlife Ordinance of 1979. The company, represented by Barrister Khurram Raza, is asking the court to change its order regarding their plot, arguing it’s in the interest of justice. Earlier, on March 21, the Supreme Court had asked the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to list all leases it had given in…
KARACHI: The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) has been restructured into three distinct entities: the PCAA, the Bureau of Aircraft Safety Investigation (BASI), and the Pakistan Airports Authority (PAA). Each of these organizations has been assigned specific roles and responsibilities. Under the new structure, all commercial airports now fall under the jurisdiction of the PAA. BASI is tasked with investigating aircraft accidents, while the PCAA retains control over regulatory functions. The PCAA will manage departments related to flight standards, pilot licensing, aerodrome airspace, airworthiness, air transport, and aeromedical services. The Ministry of Aviation announced the establishment of the PAA and…
ISLAMABAD: In a landmark move to bolster its tourism industry and respond to longstanding calls from the travel trade sector, Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has announced a major overhaul in Pakistan’s visa policy. Effective from August 14, Pakistan will offer free tourist visas to citizens of 126 countries, marking a significant shift towards making the country more accessible and welcoming for international travelers. This new policy will allow visitors from a range of nations to enjoy the beauty and rich cultural heritage of Pakistan without the financial burden of visa fees. Citizens from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)…
CAIRO: The Egyptian government has introduced a series of new immigration policies aimed at boosting tourism and attracting more visitors. One of the key changes is the introduction of a 96-hour free transit visa, now available at all Egyptian airports. Previously limited to EgyptAir passengers, this policy has been expanded to include other local carriers and will remain in effect until the end of April 2025. Additionally, during the summer months, travelers arriving at Luxor-Aswan International Airport on Egyptian airline flights will be eligible for a free emergency entry visa. This offer applies to nationals from countries that allow emergency…
KARACHI: The Pakistan Travel Mart (PTM) has officially launched its 4th edition, set to take place from January 31 to February 2, 2025, at the Expo Centre Karachi. Since its inception in 2017, PTM has been a cornerstone event in Pakistan’s travel and tourism industry, evolving into the country’s premier travel and tourism exhibition. The initial edition laid the groundwork, and subsequent events in 2018 and 2019 expanded in scale and scope, showcasing diverse travel experiences through a wide array of exhibitors, including airlines, hotels, tour operators, and provincial tourism boards. These editions also featured activities like panel discussions, exhibitions,…
KARACHI: In a groundbreaking project, LADIESFUND Energy empowered female engineers in Pakistan by solarizing the Hooseini Yateem Khana orphanage. An all-female team, trained and certified by NED, installed a 24 KW system, marking Pakistan’s first female-led solar roof installation and potentially the world’s first by an all-female team. A ceremony celebrated this achievement, showcasing the solar panels and giving tours of the orphanage. The training, provided by Dawood Global Foundation and supported by KFW, included 28 women engineers, with plans for future batches. The course, led by Dr. Mohsin Aman, used advanced equipment to train these women, who then executed…
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Supreme court on August 2 issued an interim order suspending the government’s new visa scheme, run by a consortium including an Indian company, that earlier sparked controversy over allegations of corruption totalling over a billion dollars. The Supreme Court ordered that the previously used online visa system be restored. In April this year, Sri Lanka’s Department of Immigration and Emigration switched to a new visa portal, roping in a consortium of GBS Technology Services, the India-registered IVS Global Services, and VFS Global. The formerly used Electronic Travel Authorisation system, operated by the state-run telecom provider Mobitel, was…
KARACHI: Fly Jinnah, Pakistan’s leading low-cost airline, has proudly partnered with T3 Aviation Academy to induct its first batch of future Pakistani pilots. This milestone marks the beginning of an ambitious journey to cultivate and develop local aviation talent in Pakistan. The initial training phase for these CPL holders commenced on June 20, 2024, at the T3 Academy facility in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates. After completing this foundational training, the group will advance to aircraft base training and line training with Fly Jinnah. This comprehensive program will equip them with the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the highest international…