DUBAI: The world’s first in-person international travel trade event in 18 months, the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021 opened in Dubai on Sunday, May 16 with the participation of over 1,300 exhibitors from 62 countries. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, CEO and Founder of the Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World, officially inaugurated the ATM, marking the start of the 28th edition of the Middle East’s largest travel and tourism exhibition. Sheikh Ahmed was accompanied by Helal Saeed Al Marri, CEO of Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) and Director-General of Dubai’s…
Author: holidayweekly
DUBAI: Official statistics showed on Monday, May 04 that the number of tourists visiting Dubai fell by 67.2 per cent during the first quarter of 2021 compared with the same period last year, Anadolu has reported. Travel concerns and restrictions continue as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing in Dubai (DTCM), 1.26 million tourists visited Dubai in the first three months of this year, compared with 3.84 million in the first quarter of 2020. India was the largest source of tourists during this period, with 320,000 visitors, followed by Russia with…
DUBAI: Emirates will install premium economy cabins in three of its existing Airbus A380 superjumbos as it prepares for an anticipated shift in demand once the airline industry emerges from the coronavirus crisis. The world’s biggest long-haul airline will retrofit the seats – which offer more room than economy at a cheaper price than business class – into planes supplied by Amedeo Air Four, the leasing firm said in a statement Wednesday. The change should help adapt the Emirates fleet to a post-Covid travel market in which well-heeled leisure passengers may be prepared to pay more for extra personal space…
KUALA LUMPUR: As per a report, Malaysia Airlines’ CEO has confirmed that the airline plans to retire their Airbus A380 fleet. “We are cognizant of the challenges to sell this aeroplane, but we are still looking at ways and means to dispose of our 380 fleet. At the moment, the management is convinced that the 380 doesn’t fit the future plan” said Izham Ismail, Malaysia Airlines CEO. Malaysia Airlines took delivery of their first of 6 A380’s in 2012, the last of which arrived in 2013 and was the 100th A380 produced. Malaysia Airlines A380 features 8 First Class Suites…
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has resumed direct flights to Bahrain on Friday, May 07. The national flag carrier’s first flight (PK-189) with 156 passengers on board took off from the Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore for Bahrain. PIA will operate direct flights to Bahrain twice a week from Lahore and Islamabad. The direct flights will facilitate passengers by reducing their travel time. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the airline Arshad Malik said restoration of flight operations on profit-making routes is a key part of the Pakistan International Airlines revival plan, vowing to start direct flights to more international destinations…
SINGAPORE: Princess Cruises has unveiled Dine My Way, another flexible MedallionClass enhancement that makes it easy for guests to pre-plan and tailor their dining experiences, and pairs with the revolutionary OceanNow on demand service to offer the ultimate in onboard dining flexibility and convenience. Dine My Way gives guests the freedom to make reservations in onboard dining rooms and specialty restaurants at times they prefer and with whom they wish to dine. Dine My Way also helps to optimise capacities in dining rooms and restaurants on board, manage wait times, and gives guests significantly more flexibility. “We believe guests are…
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…
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…