Iraqi Airways launches new service connecting Baghdad to Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) has welcomed two new weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Baghdad, the capital of Iraq. The inaugural flight, operated by Iraqi Airways using Boeing 737-800 aircraft, landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Saturday, 7th August at 17:00 Local Time (LT), according to Abu Dhabi Airports. Iraqi Airways will start by operating one flight per week and will then increase its number of flights to two per week. Outbound flights will depart from Abu Dhabi International Airport on Saturdays and Tuesdays at 18:0…

Nile Air begins twice weekly flights to Al Ain from July

Al Ain International Airport (AAN), owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Airports, has welcomed two new weekly flights between Al Ain and Cairo, Egypt. The inaugural flight, operated by Nile Air, landed at Al Ain International Airport.  Outbound flights will depart from Cairo International Airport on Mondays and Fridays at 15:40 LT and land at Al Ain International Airport at 21:15 LT. Return flights will depart from Al Ain International Airport on Mondays and Fridays at 22:15 LT, landing in Cairo International Airport the following day at 00:05 LT.…

Yas Island to be first in the world to get Warner Bros. themed hotel this year

Miral in collaboration with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment announced that The WB Abu Dhabi hotel is on track to open in 2021. With a design and concept inspired by the world-famous Warner Bros. brand, the hotel, developed with a total investment of US$112 million, will complement the company’s commitment to diversifying Yas Island’s offerings and delivering unforgettable experiences for its visitors. The world’s first Warner Bros. themed hotel, operated and managed by Hilton under its upper-upscale Curio Collection by Hilton brand, is now 9…

Pandemic-led impact on tourism to cross $4 trillion in losses to global economy

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on tourism could result in a more than $4 trillion loss to the global economy, UN trade and development body UNCTAD said on Wednesday in a report issued jointly with the UN World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). The estimate is based on losses caused by the pandemic’s direct impact on tourism and the ripple effect on related sectors, and is worse than previously expected. Last July, UNCTAD estimated that the standstill in international tourism would cost the global economy between $1.2 trillion and $3.3 trillio…

Flydubai announces launch of daily flights to Warsaw

Flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, has announced the start of daily flights to Warsaw (WAW) from 30th September, 2021. Warsaw will become flydubai’s second destination in Poland after Krakow (KRK), which currently operates with a twice weekly service. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO at flydubai, said, "We have been flying to Krakow in Poland since 2018 and by adding Warsaw to our network we are providing our passengers with more options for travel to and from Poland. We look forward to creating travel and trade flows with our daily service." W…

Egypt vaccinates all tourism staff in Red Sea and South Sinai resorts

​Egypt has fully vaccinated all staff working at both Red Sea and South Sinai governorates, two of the country’s tourism hotspots as hotels and resorts gear up for the safe return of holiday makers this summer. Staff working in establishments including hotels, resorts, cafes, restaurants, bazaars and tourism transportation in the Red Sea and South Sinai governorates have received COVID-19 vaccine. Egypt’s Ministers of Tourism and Antiquities, Health and Population and Civil Aviation and Red Sea Governor made the announcement today in a press c…

Flydubai to connect Dubai to Sharm El Sheikh from 15 June

Flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, announced the launch of flights to Sharm El Sheikh. The carrier will operate three weekly flights to Sharm El Sheikh International Airport (SSH) from 15th June. The route will become flydubai’s second destination in Egypt alongside Alexandria Borg El Arab International Airport (HBE). The launch of flights to the popular resort city follows the launch of several holiday destinations brings the number of seasonal routes served by flydubai to seven destinations including Bodrum and Trabzon in Turkey, Batumi in G…

Emirates announces special economy class fares to Egypt starting from AED1495

Emirates is helping take the stress out of travel for UAE travelers wanting to travel and reconnect to new experiences. The airline is offering special fares to 10 popular destinations, now open for visitors, so they can enjoy their long-awaited summer holidays. Destinations like the Maldives, Seychelles, Athens, Moscow and cities in the US included in the offer require little to no quarantine so holiday makers can pack for their long-awaited holiday with no stress. The offer is valid for booking from today, 24 May until 6 June 2021 for outbou…

Emirates welcomed Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum to its ATM stand

Emirates, the Official Airline of the 2021 Arabian Travel Market (ATM), welcomed His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum to its stand as he opened the region’s largest travel and tourism trade event and the first physical travel and tourism industry event in the world since the onset of the pandemic. His Highness Sheikh Ahmed was officially welcomed by senior airline officials, who gave a tour of the newly launched Emirates Premium Economy Class seats. This is the first time the new Premium Economy Class seats are being showcased at a t…

Recovery in UAE tourism sector as Q1 2021 hotel occupancy rates up

The UAE tourism sector has continued to recover during Q1, 2021, with the average hotel occupancy rates across the country nearing 63 percent, according to initial data released by the local tourist authorities. Average length of stay in hotels during Q1 increased 27.6 percent to 4.3 nights as compared to the same period last year, with March recording a growth of 34 percent in the number of hotel guests comparatively with March 2020. UAE nationals accounted for 25.6 percent of total guests in the reference period - one million guests - with M…

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi starts flights to Kiev, Bari, Salalah, Muscat

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has announced it will commence flights to its latest destinations, Kiev, Bari, Salalah and Muscat. The flight to Ukraine’s capital city, Kiev will be operated three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays; flights to Bari, Italy will be operated two times per week on Tuesdays and Saturdays; routes to Salalah, Oman will be operated two times per week on Wednesdays and Saturdays; and flights to the capital of Oman, Muscat will be operated three times per week on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Since launching in Jan…

Private jet flights at MBRAH surge by 336% in Q1 2021

The Mohammed bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH) at Dubai South announced that private jet movements continued their impressive growth in 2021 with a 336 percent increase in Q1 2021, reaching 4,904 compared to 1,460 in Q1 2020 and 1,676 in Q1 2019. Aircraft movements include the four FBOs operating at MBRAH, which are Jetex Executive Aviation, Jet Aviation, DC Aviation and ExecuJet Middle East. Tahnoon Saif, CEO of Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub, said, "Our private jet movements at the VIP Terminal in the MBRAH have been increasing steadi…

Normalcy restored in Egypt for commercial and entertainment activities

Further to the Prime Minister’s Decree regulating certain commercial and entertainment activities in Egypt during the end of Ramadan and the Eid holidays (May 6-21, 2021), issued on May 5, 2021, Dr. Khaled El-Enany, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, clarified that beaches, coffee shops, and restaurants in hotels nationwide are exempt from applying the closing hours (9 PM) stipulated by the Decree. He added that the exemption aims to ensure that tourists in Egypt, whose numbers have seen a significant rise the beginning of 2021, especially i…

Egypt to showcase tourist attractions as - Dubai reconfirms hosting ATM 2021

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2021 has reconfirmed that Dubai will host the largest in-person travel & tourism event in the world, since the onset of the pandemic last year. Now in its 28th year, ATM 2021 will go-ahead at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on Sunday 16 to Wednesday 19 May, as final preparations are being put in place. ATM 2021 will be spread across nine halls. Consistent with the existing density restrictions and social distancing guidelines and regulations, there will be 11,000 people in the halls at any given time. "…

Japan looks to attract more Middle East travelers with Dubai office opening

MENA Newswire:  Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is establishing an office in Dubai this year, as part of its strategic efforts to achieve the Japanese government’s goal of welcoming 60 million international visitors by 2030. It is JNTO’s first office to open in the Middle East, and will be a focal point for the organization’s promotional efforts in showcasing Japan as a preferred travel destination for residents in the region. As part of its promotional efforts for 2021, JNTO will exhibit at the Middle East’s largest tourism exhibit…

Emirates to resume four-weekly flights to Mexico City from July

Emirates has announced it will resume four weekly services to Mexico City (MEX) via Barcelona (BCN) from 2nd July 2021, re-opening connectivity and boosting trade and tourism while providing customers worldwide with more connectivity, convenience and choice. The BCN-MEX route will be operated with a two-class Emirates Boeing 777-200LR which offers 38 Business Class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and 264 seats in Economy Class.  Emirates flight EK255 will depart Dubai at 03:25hrs, arriving in Barcelona at 08:35hrs before departing again at 10:5…

Egypt tourism to be present in full force at ATM to showcase resilience

Arabian Travel Market (ATM) has announced that the final preparation of their 2021 edition annual showcase are underway, with the event set to take place in-person at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) on 16th May and conclude on 19th May, 2021. In addition to Reed Exhibitions’ Global COVID-19 ‘Safety Shows’ Health & Safety strategy, ATM is working closely with public sector authorities in Dubai to provide a safe, contact-free and seamless experience for all. In line with Dubai Government's health and safety guidelines, to ensure safe…

New UAE national carrier adds three routes to Europe and Middle East

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, the newest national airline of the United Arab Emirates, announced three new routes connecting Abu Dhabi to Belgrade, Sohag and Luxor. The new destinations offer something for everyone – from beautiful landmarks and delicious cuisine to magnificent ancient ruins and rich history for those who have the appetite for dynamic experiences, exploring new places and culture. Kees Van Schaick, Managing Director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, said: "These new developments highlight our long-term commitment to providing low fares and hi…

NCL to relaunch brand with docu-series titled Embark

As it prepares for its return to service beginning July 25, 2021, Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovator in global cruise travel announced the premiere of   EMBARK – The Series , a docu-series chronicling the brand's highly anticipated comeback. Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release  here . The first of five episodes will premiere on April 15, 2021. EMBARK – The Series is part of the Company's EMBARK with NCL editorial content platform which will deliver rich content. With its first episode, Great Cruise Comeback, the new …

Flydubai commences twice weekly operations to Albanian capital Tirana

Flydubai’s first flight to Tirana touched down in the Albanian capital marking the start of service from Dubai. The aircraft departed Dubai International (DXB) and arrived in Tirana International Airport (TIA) recently. The flight was welcomed on arrival by a ceremonial water cannon salute and representatives from the airport and Albanian government officials. Flydubai will serve this route with twice weekly flights, on Thursdays and Sundays. With the introduction of the new service, flydubai is the first airline to provide direct airlinks fro…