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7 hours ago
Emirates will restart services to Beirut, Lebanon from 1 February 2025 with a daily flight. The airline will also reinstate daily services to Baghdad in Iraq on the same day. From February, Emirates’ daily flights to Rafic Al Hariri International Airport will be served by a Boeing 777-300ER in three classes, offering more than 5,000 seats both ways each week, and adding more choice, increased comfort and enhanced connectivity from Beirut to Dubai and onwards to the airline’s network of more than 140 destinations. From 1 April 2025, the airline will scale up its operations and layer on a second daily service to Beirut with the addition of the EK957/958 morning service, which is also set to be operated with a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in three classes. The airline will operate to Beirut and Baghdad with the following schedule (all times are local):
7 hours ago
The House of Representatives’ Financial and Economic Affairs Committee has officially recommended that the government consider the partial privatisation of Gulf Air, the national airline of Bahrain. This recommendation was made during a recent committee meeting chaired by MP Ahmed Al Salloom. The committee approved a proposal that urges the government to sell a portion of its ownership stake in Gulf Air, while still retaining a controlling interest of 51% through Mumtalakat Holding Company, the investment arm of the Bahrain government. This recommendation is based on a detailed proposal put forth by MP Khalid Buanaq and is driven by several key motivations that the committee believes are essential for the airline’s future. Primarily, the committee aims to address the substantial government subsidies currently allocated to Gulf Air, which represent a significant expense within the national budget. By pursuing partial privatisation, the committee anticipates a reduction in these subsidies, thereby easing the financial burden on the government. In addition to reducing subsidies, the partial privatisation is expected to lead to a comprehensive restructuring of the airline’s board and executive management. This restructuring is viewed as a crucial step toward enhancing the overall performance, operational efficiency, and profitability of Gulf Air. The […]
16 hours ago
The Emirates A350 launch follows operations to Edinburgh, Kuwait, and Bahrain Emirates will introduce its Airbus A350 aircraft to India on January 26, expanding services to Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The airline will operate daily flights on two routes: Mumbai route: Ahmedabad route: Dubai’s Emirates launches new A350 services to Mumbai and Ahmedabad “The roll out of Emirates’ A350 aircraft to India, featuring the airline’s latest interiors, industry-first technologies and innovations, reinforces Emirates’ commitment to customers in India and beyond, and offers exceptional levels of comforts onboard,” the airline said in a statement on Wednesday. The A350 launch follows operations to Edinburgh, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Emirates currently serves nine points in India with 167 weekly flights, including daily A380 services to Mumbai and Bangalore. The aircraft offers four cabin classes, including Premium Economy.
16 hours ago
On January 12, RTA opened a new bridge that offers direct access to visitors to Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates The new bridge access is part of a broader strategic partnership between the Mall of the Emirates and the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) Mall of the Emirates, operated by Majid Al Futtaim, has announced a series of infrastructure upgrades aimed at improving accessibility and reducing travel times for visitors. Among the key developments is a new bridge access from Umm Suqeim Bridge, which opened on January 12. “Our partnership with the RTA marks a significant step forward in enhancing accessibility to Mall of the Emirates. This milestone reduces customers’ travel time from 15 minutes to 8 minutes, improving the convenience of our visitors,” Khalifa Bin Braik, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Asset Management Business Unit told Arabian Business. Road upgrades around Dubai’s Mall of the Emirates set for completion this year Drivers coming from Umm Suqeim Bridge can now access the mall’s car park directly, avoiding the U-turn near the Dubai Police Academy. This improvement is expected to ease congestion and streamline the visitor experience. The new bridge access is part of a broader strategic partnership between the Mall […]
17 hours ago
Qatar Airways to launch new flights from Doha to Colombia and Venezuela this summer Qatar Airways has announced its latest expansion into the Americas with the launch of flights to Colombia and Venezuela, The two new weekly flights will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays, starting early summer 2025. These flights will connect Hamad International Airport (DOH) in Doha to Bogotá El Dorado International Airport (BOG) in Colombia, and then continue to Caracas Simon Bolivar International Airport (CCS) in Venezuela. Qatar Airways Colombia and Venezuela flights The return flight from Caracas will operate non-stop to Doha. This new service makes Qatar Airways the first and only airline to offer non-stop flights from the Middle East to Colombia and the only Middle Eastern carrier operating in Venezuela. With the addition of Bogotá and Caracas, Qatar Airways expands its Americas network to a total of 16 destinations, joining major cities like: Operated by Boeing 777-200LR aircraft equipped with 42 Business Class seats and 234 Economy Class seats, the new Bogotá and Caracas services will provide travellers from two of South America’s busiest cities with convenient access to the Middle East and beyond, owing to the airline’s strong global network reaching over 170 destinations. Qatar Airways Group […]
17 hours ago
Etihad Rail unveils Abu Dhabi to Dubai train network set to contribute $40bn to UAE economy Etihad Rail has announced a new Dubai-Abu Dhabi train line to connect the two cities in just 30 minutes. Etihad Rail will oversee the development and operation of this landmark project, building on its achievements in developing the national railway sector and operating the national rail network with the highest standards of efficiency, quality and reliability. The high-speed train will enable individuals to travel between Abu Dhabi and Dubai in just 30 minutes, reaching speeds of up to 350 kmph. Etihad Rail Dubai-Abu Dhabi train network The route will pass through key strategic destinations and tourist attractions, ensuring seamless travel for passengers and visitors. The project will significantly contribute to the UAE’s socioeconomic and tourism development, strengthening its position among advanced nations through fast, efficient and sustainable rail transport, boosting tourism and elevating economic growth. The high-speed train is expected to contribute AED145bn ($39.5bn) to the UAE’s GDP over the next five decades. With the blessing of Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi […]
3 days ago
Air India Express on Tuesday said it increased free check-in baggage to 30kg for passengers flying between the UAE, Middle East and other destinations. The carrier, which operates flights to different emirates of the UAE, also offers 7kg of cabin baggage. In addition to the free check-in baggage allowance, the airline offers a free cabin baggage allowance of up to two pieces of baggage with a combined weight of not more than 7kg. Guests may also carry one laptop bag, handbag, backpack, or any other small bag which fits under the seat in front, it said. Importantly, families travelling with infants are offered an additional complimentary 10kg check-in baggage allowance, bringing the total allowance to 47kg, including a 7kg cabin baggage allowance. The UAE-India air corridor is one of the busiest in the world as millions of residents and visitors fly between the two countries every year. Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) revealed that Dubai (first) and Abu Dhabi (third) were among the top three international destinations with 16 and seven per cent market, respectively. Owned by Tata Group, the budget carrier operates about 450 weekly flights between India and the Middle East connecting 19 Indian cities with […]
4 days ago
Hundreds of domestic and international flights have been cancelled and delayed across the US due to the winter storm Dubai’s flagship carrier Emirates has cancelled some US flights due to a winter storm. The world’s largest international carrier said its flight EK211 scheduled on January 21 from Dubai to Houston and EK212 from Houston to Dubai on January 22 were cancelled “due to severe weather conditions”. Hundreds of domestic and international flights have been cancelled and delayed across the US due to the winter storm, which disrupted life in many cities and states such as New York, Philadelphia, Texas and others. “Affected customers who have booked with travel agents should contact them for alternative travel arrangements. Customers who have booked directly with Emirates may contact their local office for rebooking options,” said the Dubai carrier. Emirates advised customers to check the latest information on their flights by visiting the flight status page. “We regret the inconvenience caused to our customers,” the airline said. A response from Etihad Airways was awaited at the time of filing this report.
4 days ago
Saudi Arabia’s Riyadh Air faces setbacks as Boeing reduces its aircraft delivery schedule for 2025, pushing the carrier’s launch to the third quarter, Bloomberg reported. Sources close to the matter report the airline will receive up to four 787 Dreamliner aircraft this year, down from the eight initially planned for early 2025. “We have obviously pivoted like everybody else has on a number of occasions to be able to adjust to the latest forecast,” Chief Executive Officer Tony Douglas told Bloomberg. “I am confident, given the latest forecast, that we’ll get deliveries this year. Is it completely without risk? Obviously no, it’s not.” The airline, which aims to compete with Dubai’s Emirates and Qatar Airways, has secured one Boeing 787 from Oman Air as a technical spare, though this aircraft will not feature Riyadh Air interiors. Boeing’s production delays stem from increased factory scrutiny following an incident last year and worker strikes affecting the 737 model. The manufacturer’s Charleston facility, where the 787 is built, faces component shortages including seats and heat exchangers. Douglas noted improvements in monthly output at the factory, marking the first positive shift in over two years. In October, Riyadh Air ordered 60 Airbus A321neo aircraft, a decision that impacted Boeing, […]
1 week ago
Madinah is a significant destination for pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah The new service is slated to commence from February 20 Leading Indian airline IndiGo announced plans to launch a new direct flight service to Madinah from the south Indian city of Hyderabad. The new service is slated to commence from February 20. It will mark IndiGo’s 38th international and 128th overall destination. Madinah is a significant destination for pilgrims undertaking Hajj and Umrah. The airline said its three-times-weekly service will provide convenient and affordable travel options for pilgrims and other travellers seeking to visit this revered city. Head of Global Sales Vinay Malhotra said: “The launch of the Hyderabad-Madinah route is more than just expanding our network; it opens a vital gateway for religious and cultural exchange.” “By commencing direct flights to Madinah, a major Islamic pilgrimage site, we aim to simplify travel within the region and beyond,” he said. Malhotra said with the launch of this flight, IndiGo will now operate over 100 weekly flights to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia from India.
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