DOHA: Qatar Airways’ inaugural flight from Doha to Malta landed at Malta International Airport, marking the launch of the airline’s newest gateway to Europe. Operated by an Airbus A320 aircraft, flight QR383 was welcomed with a celebratory water cannon salute upon arrival at the historic Mediterranean island’s international airport. Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive, Akbar Al Baker, said: “We are delighted to launch direct services to Malta, the latest addition to Qatar Airways’ rapidly expanding European network. “Set against the incredible backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea, Malta, with its stunning natural attractions and breath-taking architecture, is one of Europe’s most…
Author: holidayweekly
WASHINGTON: NASA might not be just about research and scientific discovery in the future. Instead, it might be another travel opportunity for the tourists out there. Now NASA is planning to open the International Space Station for commercial businesses, including ones from the tourism industry, beginning in 2020. In addition, the space agency said in a statement that it is partnering with 11 companies to create 14 commercial facilities to aid in research and development projects. Up until now, NASA has banned commercial flights to the ISS. However, since the station is not owned by one single country, tourists have…
ISTANBUL & LONDON: IATI, Turkey’s leading online travel company and travel services integrator, and Sabre Corporation, the leading technology provider to the global travel industry, today announced a new agreement covering distribution services and a range of Sabre’s state-of-the-art IT solutions. IATI’s 38,000 travel agents in 80 countries will have access to Sabre’s GDS of more than 420 airlines, 750,000 hotels, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car and cruise providers, enabling them to sell personalized travel packages from suppliers all over the world. With a gamut of bookable content and fast response times, Sabre’s solutions will help ensure that…
MUSCAT: SalamAir has received a brand-new Airbus A320neo aircraft, the second of this model in the airline’s fleet. With their wider aisles, wider seats, more stowage space and unbeatable fuel efficiency, the new A320neo is custom-built for SalamAir and can comfortably accommodate 180 guests. The newest addition, which will join the airline’s existing Airbus A320neo, is part of SalamAir’s extensive expansion strategy. Captain Mohamed Ahmed, CEO of SalamAir, said: “We are thrilled to be one of the first airlines in the region to take receipt of the much sought-after A320neo aircraft. This new aircraft means we are opening the skies…
Amadeus has completed the acquisition of ICM Group, the ultimate head office of ICM Airport Technics, for an undisclosed sum. ICM, a global leader in passenger automation and self-service bag drop solutions for airports and airlines based in Sydney, Australia, will complement Amadeus’ offering for airport operations. Thanks to this deal, Amadeus is now able to design, configure, implement, operate and support all airport systems needed to manage passengers and their baggage from end-to-end. Importantly, the addition of ICM’s leading portfolio of solutions strengthens Amadeus’ ability to re-imagine check-in, boarding and security in ways that significantly enhance the traveller experience,…
SEOUL: Global airlines have committed themselves to improve the air travel experience for the estimated one billion people living with disabilities worldwide. The International Air Transport Association’s (IATA) 75th annual general meeting (AGM) in Seoul, South Korea, unanimously approved a resolution in this regard. It confirmed the commitment of airlines to ensuring that passengers with disabilities have access to safe, reliable and dignified travel, and calls upon governments to use IATA’s core principles for accommodating passengers with disabilities. These principles aim to change the focus from disability to accessibility and inclusion by bringing the travel sector together with governments to…
CHICAGO: Boeing will showcase its broad range of commercial and defence products, services and technologies at the 2019 Paris Air Show, which runs June 17-23 at Paris-Le Bourget Airport. At Boeing’s exhibit, visitors can immerse themselves in a large 360-degree theatre and learn more about the company’s capabilities throughout the product lifecycle. The interactive exhibit will also highlight Boeing’s latest family of aircraft and services and give visitors a first look at the company’s vision for the future of mobility. On the airfield, an Air Tahiti Nui 787-9 will demonstrate the breakthrough capabilities and innovations that have made the 787…
SIBERIA: 40,000-year-old severed wolf’s head, preserved by permafrost complete with teeth and fur, has been discovered in eastern Siberia. Locals looking for mammoth ivory found the remains on the banks of the Tirekhtyakh River in Yakutia, before bringing it to the mammoth studies department at the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Sakha. Albert Protopopov, Director of the department told that while frozen wolf cubs had been unearthed in the past, the discovery of an adult wolf’s head was novel. “This is the first time the head of an ancient wolf has been found whose soft tissue has been…
MADEIRA-PURTUGAL : The elite of the travel industry assembled for the World Travel Awards Europe Gala Ceremony on the breath-taking Atlantic island to find out who among them would be crowned best of the best. Winners at the red-carpet reception included the enchanting city of St. Petersburg, Russia, voted Europe’s Leading City Destination. Meanwhile, Portugal reinforced its credentials as the country for everyone by emerging as Europe’s Leading Destination. Madrid was named Europe’s Leading Meetings & Conference Destination, while the captivating mix of Belle Époque and contemporary splendour helped Batumi, Georgia, lift the title of Europe’s Leading Emerging Tourism Destination.…
ISTANBUL: Turkish Airlines has restarted direct flights from its hub Istanbul to Strasbourg, thus adding the city to the list of its destinations in France. The national flag carrier will operate four weekly flights on the sector till October 25. Announcing the relaunch of the flights, the Turkish airline said Strasbourg is its seventh destination in France linking its flight network that covers 124 countries of the world. The airline started flights to Strasbourg Entzheim Airport from yesterday (May 31) thus becoming its third international destination this year after Sharjah in UAE and Marrakech in Morocco. The flight TK 1455…