#Travel

Abu Dhabi Airports

Abu Dhabi Airports welcomes 15.9 million passengers in 2022

The company saw growth in other key areas such as air traffic movements across its five airports, which totalled 194,667

Yalago stats photo Dubai Media Office

Emirates Group’s Yalago records 92% rise in hotel bookings in 2022

According to the wholesale specialist, travellers are spending 30 per cent more per booking, taking on more extensive meal plans such as all-inclusive, and booking five-star hotels as a majority

dnata launches operations in zanzibar

UAE’s dnata invests $10m in Zanzibar, launches operations at ZNZ

The three companies – dnata, Emirates Leisure Retail and SEGAP – will work closely together to deliver services for airlines and passengers at ZNZ’s newly-built international terminal 3

Emirates to operate second service to Brisbane from June 1

Dubai’s Emirates doubles services to Brisbane

The expansion will boost capacity through Brisbane by more than a quarter of a million seats per year both ways

Etihad announces Global Sale 2023

UAE-based Etihad Airways’ annual Global Sale kicks off

Travellers can enjoy special sale fares to select destinations, with the Global Sale running until January 20, for travel between January 18 and June 15 this year

Qatar

Qatar launches first commercial charter flight to and from Kazakhstan

The nation has identified Kazakhstan as one of 15 target markets where tourists can relax, rejuvenate and enjoy Qatar’s vibrant culture

Vietnam

Dubai’s Sunset Hospitality Group launches Azure Beach and Attiko in Vietnam

The group sets sights on opening a further 20 venues in 2023, 15 of those internationally, as its expansion plan gathers pace

etihad airways doubles flights to bangkok

UAE’s Etihad Airways to double flights to Bangkok

From March, the airline will provide a total of 14 weekly nonstop services to Bangkok Airport

etihad airways adds flights to shanghai as travel demand to and from china grows

UAE’s Etihad Airways to increase flights to Shanghai from February 2023

Eihad Airways has add a second weekly passenger service to Shanghai following the further relaxation of Covid-related travel measures

Pandemic travel

Pandemic travel has reached a tipping point

The pullback in restrictions is “an acknowledgment that we’re in a new phase of this pandemic, where things are more stable

UAE has the world’s best passport in a top ten dominated by Europe

With a UAE passport, travellers can enter to 180 countries hassle-free — seven more than European countries such as Germany and Sweden

Dnata

UAE’s dnata announces partnership with Amex GBT

As per the agreement, dnata will provide full end-to-end travel and meetings management services to Amex GBT’s customers in the region

Japan

Emiratis can travel to Japan without a visa from November 1

The decision coincides with the launch of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the UAE and Japan

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi launches Turkistan flights

Wizz Air launches its first flight between Rome and Dammam

Flights between the two destinations will operate twice a week

IndiGo commences new direct flights between Mumbai and Ras Al Khaimah

Indian carrier IndiGo launches daily direct service between Mumbai and Ras Al Khaimah

Ras Al Khaimah is IndiGo’s 100th overall destination and 11th in its Middle East network

Wizz air bus service

Wizz Air: New bus service to transport passengers from Dubai to Abu Dhabi airport

The service will connect Abu Dhabi International Airport with Dubai’s Ibn Battuta Bus Station on an Express Bus Route

oanne Chehab- head of business partnerships for Managed Services, GBX MENA, TikTok

Why TikTok is the platform of choice for travellers across the region

TikTok has become wildly popular for showcasing immersive travel moments, ranging from creators interacting with nature in many ways, exploring various cultures, simply tasting street food, or trying their hand at uniquely local experiences

Travel demand returns and so does luggage woes GettyImages-1297964713

UAE, Saudi Arabia travellers prefer premium travel experiences, reveals study

According to Collinson, the most popular travel benefits among respondents were loyalty rewards, airport lounge access and frequent flyer rewards

Emirates to invest $2bn to enhance customer experience

Emirates to invest over $2bn to enhance inflight customer experience

Emirates’ latest initiatives include a new vegan menu, a ‘cinema in the sky’ experience, cabin interior upgrades and sustainable choices

Air India announces special ‘Independence Day’ travel offer for Gulf and Middle East

The promotional tickets are on sale between August 8-21, with travel valid until October 15

Airbnb readies $2bn buyback on surge in travel demand

Airbnb readies $2bn buyback on surge in travel demand

The San Francisco-based home-rental company said that nights and experiences booked in the second quarter rose 25 per cent to 103.7m

Etihad Airways records $296m first-half profit

Etihad Airways reports core operating profit of $296m in H1 2022, as travel demand recovers

Eithad Airways carried 4.02 million passengers in H1 2022, over 3 million more than last year, with an average seat load factor of 75 per cent

Sleep 'n Fly T3-B new lounge at DXB

Airport Dimensions opens flagship sleep ’n fly concept at DXB

Sleep options include a range of cabins and sleep ’n fly’s signature FlexiSuite Pods and a dedicated ‘Power Nap’ area

Emirates statement on operations at London Heathrow

UK-UAE travel: Emirates to start third flight to London Gatwick to meet demand

The third daily flight will help serve high demand from customers travelling to and from London this summer

Dr. Simon Worrell Global Medical Director Collinson

Insights: The journey from pandemic to endemic and what it signals

Collinson’s global medical director says countries will increasingly move away from community testing and instead require only symptomatic individuals to be tested, particularly with virus variants become less potent

Emirates rejects LHR request to cut capacity

UAE-UK Travel: Emirates refuses London Heathrow request to reduce flights

Emirates plans to operate services as scheduled to and from London Heathrow until further notice

Airbnb readies $2bn buyback on surge in travel demand

Dubai ranks as 10th best Airbnb destination globally in 2022

According to the latest data from Inkifi, Dubai has 15,948 Airbnb active rentals

Abu Dhabi International expects 2.8 million travellers in July and August

The airport is expecting around 414,000 travellers during the Eid Al Adha travel season between July 7 and 15

UK

UAE citizens will not require visas to visit UK from 2023

The directive has been extended to other GCC countries as well

Dubai's successful tourism

Tourism recovery sees Dubai welcome 6.17 million visitors from January to May

The latest tourism data was revealed by Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism at its first ‘City Briefing’ for 2022