ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways will no longer operate Boeing 777-300ER jets after this year, the chief executive said on Wednesday, as it accelerates plans to become a smaller airline. State-owned Etihad is targeting to return profit in 2023, as part of a five-year restructuring plan that it has accelerated during the pandemic that has crippled the air travel industry. “You will see of us a very focused, a very disciplined operating model which is heavily built around the fleet of the 787 Dreamliner and A350-1000” CEO Tony Douglas told the online World Aviation Festival. The retirement of Etihad B777-300/ER means…
Author: holidayweekly
DUBAI: A total of 62 countries will be represented on the exhibition floor this year at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021, which takes place in-person at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on May 16 -19. Now in its 28th year, the region’s largest travel and tourism showcase has attracted key exhibitors from inbound and outbound markets such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, UK, China, Germany, Russia, Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Maldives, the Philippines, Thailand and the US. “This is an impressive response from travel and tourism organisations across all travel sectors, given the various…
CANCUN: More than 600 leaders from travel, government, the private sector and media are gathered in Cancun for the World Travel and Tourism Council’s Global Summit, the organization’s first in-person event since 2019. Thousands more are participating online. Throughout the first day of sessions with speakers ranging from outgoing WTTC Chair and Hilton CEO and President Chris Nassetta to incoming Chair and Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald and Airbnb founder and CEO Brian Chesky, common themes emerged about what it will take for the industry to emerge from the devasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the WTTC, in…
LONDON: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has launched a new initiative to support women in the travel and tourism industries. The Cancun Declaration has been adopted by more than 100 countries, industry associations and destinations. It takes its name from the location of WTTC’s 2021 Global Summit, currently taking place in Mexico. Its aim is to promote diversity and drive inclusivity. Signatories committed themselves to providing equal opportunities for women by removing barriers, ensuring fair treatment, and encouraging greater financial, professional, and social independence. The initiative is supported by women’s tennis champion Martina Navratilova, who spoke live during…
LAHORE: A PIA delegation met with the authorities of TDCP for the purpose to promote tourism in Punjab and Pakistan. PIA put the proposal in front of TDCP that they offer special package tours to their passengers and tourists. They also offer that they display TDCP’s Publicity material at their offices and counters in Pakistan and throughout the world. PIA also principally agreed that they will show TDCP documentaries in their lounges and also on flights. TDCP welcomed the PIA offer and assured them that TDCP will provide a special discount to the PIA passengers and tourists at their tourist…
MADRID: The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) have announced a Destination Tracker in preparation for the restart of international travel. It is the result of both organizations joining efforts to boost confidence and accelerate recovery of the tourism sector when borders reopen. The UNWTO-IATA Destination Tracker is a new free online tool for governments to provide information on Covid-19 requirements for travel and the measures in place at the destination. The tool is available through the websites of both organizations and will provide information on: • Covid-19 Indicators including infection rates, positivity rates, and…
LAHORE: PIA aims to become the first Pakistani airline to fly with totally vaccinated crew. The vaccination process is already in full swing and the airline has set a target to get vaccinations completed by mid of May 2021. PIA CEO Air Marshal Arshad Malik has expressed that, with rapid vaccination being done for all PIA crew, the Pak airline would be the first carrier in the country to operate with all vaccinated crew, ensuring complete protection of our customers. Till today PIA has vaccinated more than 500 cockpit and Cabin crew members and the process has been sped up…
BANGKOK: Many hotels in Bangkok have been converted into ‘hospitals’ makeshift hospitals to accommodate Covid-19 patients – following the recent surge in infections after the Songkran festival. Marisa Sukosol Nunbhakdi, President of the Thai Hotels Association (THA), said the “hospital” idea was initiated by THA, Ministry of Public Health and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to deal with the shortage of beds at government and private hospitals. Pullman Bangkok Hotel G among hotels in Bangkok that have been turned into “hospitals” The move is aimed at accommodating local Covid-19 patients, unlike the government’s alternative state quarantine (ASQ) programme which is designed for…
SINGAPORE: Princess Cruises has announced its 2022-2023 season of sailings to Mexico, the California Coast, and Hawaii & Tahiti. On sale April 28, a total of six ships, including the cruise line’s newest Discovery Princess, offer 78 departures on 19 unique itineraries sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles, San Francisco and Vancouver. Crown Princess, Discovery Princess, Grand Princess, Majestic Princess, Ruby Princess and Sapphire Princess will visit 25 destinations in six countries offering the Princess MedallionClass Experience – the ultimate in effortless, personalised cruising. Princess has been sailing to Mexico for over 55 years, bringing guests the best of the Mexican…
BEIJING: Royal Caribbean has announced that Wonder of the Seas, the next Oasis Class vessel, will set sail from Shanghai and Hong Kong in 2022. The ship will offer four- and nine-night trips through the Far East to the best of Japan and more. Currently under construction in Saint-Nazaire, France, Wonder will be the largest cruise ship in the world on debut and the first of its kind to call China home when it arrives in March. The inaugural season cruises are now open for bookings. On the horizon for vacationers with their sights on a getaway aboard Wonder are…