QINGDAO: The world’s largest supplier of commercial helicopters, Airbus Helicopters has started building an assembly line in China. The Airbus Group said that it is a key step in its plans to tap into the ever expanding Chinese market. The company’s final assembly line will be located in Qingdao, eastern China, with construction expected to be completed by 2018. An Airbus framework agreement signed in 2016 called for 100 H135 helicopters to be assembled over the next 10 years, and the first aircraft roll-out from Qingdao is planned for mid-2019. China is opening up its low-level airspace to civilian aircraft,…
Author: holidayweekly
Written by Ch. Faisal Mahmood As we go to print, the holy month of Ramzaan has set in and the vast majority of Pakistanis have started availing the bounties of God’s mercies by fasting and by sharing their advantages with their disadvantaged neighbors and social service organisations. Take the city of Karachi. Like all other cities and towns in the country, visitors new to it are struck by the spreads of Aftaari meals on makeshift hospitality tables placed at major crossroads, bus stands and at shopping centres. As the time approaches for breaking the day-long fasts, these offerings are readied…
OKLAHOMA: Leading hospitality group Hilton has announced the grand opening of the first-ever Tru by Hilton, the company’s 5,000th hotel at Tru by Hilton Oklahoma City Airport. Besides this Hilton achieved another milestones of opening of the 100th properties in both Greater China and Latin America, said a statement from Hilton. In January 2017, Hilton successfully completed the spin-offs of Hilton Grand Vacations and Park Hotels & Resorts, creating a capital-light business that responds to market conditions, owner needs and evolving customer expectations. With more than 425 hotels in various stages of development, Tru by Hilton has achieved the…
LONDON: Thousands of travellers faced further chaos on Sunday as British Airways cancelled more than a hundred flights from London’s Heathrow Airport following an IT system failure. [huge_it_slider id=”42″] Around a quarter of Sunday’s flights set to depart from London’s major hub before 10pm local time were cancelled as the airline battled to contain the “knock-on disruption” to schedules, with aircraft and crews out of position around the world. British Airways said it was hoping to operate a near-normal schedule of flights from Gatwick, London’s other major airport, and the majority of its Heathrow services. More flights left Heathrow as…
KARACHI: Kyrgyzstan is in process of launching electronic visa facility with seven days process to encourage and facilitate Pakistani tourists, said H.E. Erik Beishembiev, The Ambassador of Kyrgyz Republic to Pakistan. Addressing the participants of an introductory event held in Karachi recently, H.E. Ambassador said that Kyrgyzstan have many attractive tourist destinations as the country’s 94 percent area consists of mountains and lakes. The envoy sought the help of tour operators particularly the Travel Agents Association of Pakistan (TAAP) to explore the natural beauty of the “heart of the centre of Asia”. Chairman TAAP, Mr. Naeem Sharif, speaking on the…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC) and Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP) have agreed to join hands for the promotion of both, domestic and international tourism activities in the country. This was decided in a meeting of Ch. Abdul Ghafoor, Managing Director PTDC with Ahmer Malik, Managing Director Tourism Development Corporation of Punjab (TDCP). Mr. Ghafoor said that tourism Sector in Pakistan has a great potential to grow and earn foreign exchange and increase inbound flow of tourists in the country. He said that all tourism and culture related federal and provincial departments and organizations must join hands to…
NEGOMBO: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has presented a series of awards in recognition of contributions made to the responsible development of travel and tourism in the Asia Pacific region. The following awards were presented during the PATA Annual Summit 2017 in Negombo, Sri Lanka: PATA Life Member, PATA Award of Merit, PATA Chairman’s Award, and PATA Face of the Future Award, a PATA Certificate of Appreciation, and the PATA Honorary Membership Award. “PATA understands that the success of any destination is dependent upon it people. Therefore it is only appropriate that we take the time to recognise some…
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has launched RampVR, the aviation industry’s first virtual reality (VR) training platform for ground operations. Frederic Leger, Director for Airport, Passenger, Cargo and Security Products, IATA, said, “Improving ramp safety and reducing damage to aircraft and ground equipment through better education and training is an industry priority, but training in this extremely active environment can be a challenge. “RampVR allows users to safely immerse themselves in ramp operations and experience a variety of scenarios in different operating conditions. RampVR also provides users with built-in metrics to track their performance, and real-time access to key…
ASTANA: Visitors of EXPO 2017 “Future Energy” in Astana will have an opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of national cuisines, including exotic ones, from European to Angolan. This time EXPO 2017 will surprise its visitors by new developments in green energy and a rich cultural and entertainment program. It will also delight them with national restaurants to be opened in the pavilions of the participating countries. Besides, around 30 restaurants and cafes will operate on the exhibition; the tourists will be able to try Kazakh dishes at Tay Qazan, Turkish dishes at Ozyurt Restaurant, European dishes at Line Brew,…
MUSCAT: Oman Air has announced the successful conclusion of the annual Arabian Air Carrier Organization’s (AACO) Emergency Response Planning (EPR) meeting in Muscat. Oman Air co-hosted the annual meeting with the AACO, which is dedicated to discussing and preparing responses for any potential emergencies concerning Arabian airlines. The first day of the meeting was dedicated to discussion between the various ERP Managers of each of the member airlines. Some of the topics discussed included an update from the AACO on issues of interest and advocacy with International Air Transport Association (Iata). The members also reviewed the Emergency Response Manual and…