RIYADH: Airports in Saudi Arabia are ready to receive outbound passengers, said a report citing a statement from the General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA). The announcement comes a day after the Ministry of Interior announced that the Kingdom’s land, sea and air borders will reopen on May 17, allowing citizens who have received a Covid-19 vaccine to travel abroad, Saudi Press Agency reported. GACA has issued a circular to all aviation companies operating at the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s airports, including general and private aviation, regarding the procedures for Saudi nationals travelling abroad. The circular states that airlines are…
Author: holidayweekly
ISLAMABAD: Gilgit-Baltistan newly appointed Information Minister Fatehullah Khan on Saturday, May 1 said that the government is planning to build a new international standard airport in Gilgit to meet the requirements of international tourists and demand from domestic investors. The construction of state of the art new airport in region would help boost country’s exports as well as domestic and foreign tourism, he said while speaking to a news channel. The government is identifying key issues in the development of Gilgit-Baltistan, he said, adding, government has announced a historic multi-billion package for the G-B, which would usher in a new…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines Corp. will lay off half of its 14,000 employees, replace some of its fleets, and permanently close loss-making routes in a bid to become a profitable entity. Pakistan’s cabinet approved the carrier’s restructuring, said Ishrat Hussain, an adviser to Prime Minister Imran Khan. It also requested to explore outsourcing management contract or sale of 26% stake in the airline after improving its balance sheet, he said. The plan follows revival attempts in the past that were blocked by protesting employees or political opposition. This time, there are “no grandiose plans to become like Emirates or Etihad…
ISTANBUL: Turkish Airlines continues to be the carrier that flies boldly into the pandemic, operating almost 800 flights per day across the first week of April. With one eye on COVID-19 safe operations, the airline has recently been rewarded with an upgrade from the Safe Travel Barometer. Its score of 4.1 puts it fourth in the world for COVID safety and makes it the top airline in Turkey for clean and safe travel. Throughout the pandemic, Turkish Airlines has maintained as much flying as possible, reaching 200 destinations served by October last year. To date, it remains the most active…
CHICAGO: Boeing said that its first-quarter (Q1) revenue from commercial airplanes decreased to $4.3 billion driven by lower 787 deliveries, as against a revenue of $6.2 billion during Q1 2020, marking a fall of 31%. First-quarter operating margin improved to -20.1% (-33% in Q1 2020), primarily due to higher 737 deliveries and lower period costs. The company delivered 77 commercial airplanes in the quarter, as compared to 50 in Q1 2020, an increase of 54%. Boeing is continuing to make progress on the safe return to service of the 737 MAX worldwide, a company statement said. “In addition, we are…
NEW YORK: Avelo Airlines, America’s first new airline to launch in the COVID era, took flight Wednesday, April 28 with a single round-trip between Burbank and Santa Rosa, CA in the wine country. “Today’s first flight represents far more than a 90-minute journey from LA’s iconic Hollywood Burbank Airport to the Sonoma County Airport in the heart of California wine country, we’re embarking on a new era of choice, convenience and everyday low fares” said Avelo Chairman and CEO Andrew Levy. “Avelo was created to Inspire Travel by making it easier and more affordable to reconnect with family, celebrate with…
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…
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…