KARACHI: The National Flag Carrier, Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) expects to resume direct flights to the United States from May 2020 “subject to a final clearance by the US Transportation Security Administration. That was told by PIA’s spokesperson Abdullah Hafeez on Thursday, January 23. Abdullah said that Pakistan had fulfilled all recommendations of the transport authority, such as using screening machines at major airports of Pakistan including Islamabad and Karachi. He added that talks between the US administration and the national airline had been underway for two years, adding that “from our end we have taken all measures that were…
Author: holidayweekly
MADRID: 1.5 billion international tourist arrivals were recorded in 2019, globally. A 4% increase on the previous year which is also forecast for 2020, confirming tourism as a leading and resilient economic sector, especially in view of current uncertainties. According to the first comprehensive report on global tourism numbers and trends of the new decade, the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, this represents the tenth consecutive year of growth. China, the world’s top source market saw outbound trips increase by 14% in the first half of 2019, though expenditure fell 4%. All regions saw a rise in international arrivals in…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan on Thursday, January 23, started screening passengers at four airports of the country in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak in China. The Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has decided to screen its passengers at the Beijing airport. The SARS-like virus has killed 17 people and infected more than 630 since emerging on December 31 in a market in the Chinese city of Wuhan. Authorities around the world are working to prevent a global pandemic as the virus has also been detected in Japan, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the United States. “In view…
ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet has waived off non-conformance charges that were levied on AirSial, a Sialkot-based airline after it failed to acquire the Air Operation Certificate (AOC) within the stipulated time of two years and gave a go-ahead to the newly-launched airline to start operations. The approval was given in a cabinet meeting that was held last Tuesday after it was requested by the Aviation Division. As per the law if an operator (RPT/Non-RPT) fails to obtain AOC within a maximum of two years’ time-frame from the date of issuance of its respective license, then a 10 percent of the…
DAVOS: The PM said the government is actively incentivizing industries and investment and have tried to remove all the hurdles in the way of investors. “Top travelling bodies have named Pakistan as a top travelling destination,” PM added. Prime Minister Imran Khan said that while the first year since his government came into power was spent in stabilizing the country due to the huge current account deficit, this year he anticipates Pakistan’s economy to grow. Speaking at the Pakistan Strategy Dialogue at Davos, Switzerland on Wednesday, the PM said the first conflict, after the Soviets left Afghanistan, cost Pakistan heavily.…
MANAMA: Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, today celebrated the opening of its temporary museum at the Bahrain City Centre shopping mall, which marks the start of a series of 70th-anniversary celebrations in 2020. The official opening was under the patronage of Gulf Air’s chairman of Board of Directors Zayed R. Alzayani, who cut the ribbon and launched the project in the presence of the airline’s board members, executive management and members of the Bahraini media. The Gulf Air 70th anniversary museum celebrates 70 years of aviation in Bahrain and showcases the airline’s rich history since its take-off in…
KARACHI: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Syed Ijaz Mazhar on Thursday, January 23, assumed charge as the acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the national flag carrier. After assuming the office, Mazhar received a complete briefing from the board of directors and other officials regarding the current working mechanism of the airline. Earlier on Tuesday, the Supreme Court had rejected former PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik’s appeal to remain on the post while also raising suspicions on “increased fares” and appointment of ten officers of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) in the airline. The appeal was…
WASHINGTON: The Trump administration’s tightening of visa requirements continues, this time targeting one of the president’s pet hates; birthright citizenship. There’s a risk that pregnant travelers will be treated with the assumption that they’re coming to the U.S. to give birth. The Trump administration is coming out with new visa restrictions aimed at restricting “birth tourism,” in which women travel to the U.S. to give birth so their children can have a coveted U.S. passport. Visa applicants deemed by consular officers to be coming to the U.S. primarily to give birth will now be treated like other foreigners coming to…
SAINT MARTIN: The man, thought to have been drunk at the time, fell from the cruise vessel near St Martin and had been treading water for 11 hours, according to multiple media reports. He was rescued near Saba Island – around 45 kilometers (28 miles) from St Martin. DiCaprio – who was holidaying at the time near the island of St Bart’s – and the crew on board his yacht was “the only responders” to an emergency call sent out seeking help to locate the man. “Leonardo played a blinding role in his own real-life Hollywood movie,” a source told…
BEIJING: Chinese authorities have closed off the Chinese city of Wuhan, which is home to more than 11 million people, as it struggles to contain the deadly coronavirus outbreak, according to a report. From today, January 23, all public transport, including trains, buses, and ferries, in Wuhan has been shut down, while all flights and trains leaving the city has been stopped. A growing sense of panic has left supermarket shelves empty as residents stockpile supplies and isolate themselves. The sudden restrictions, which was announced on Chinese state media hours prior to it being implemented, comes as the virus’ death…