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13 hours ago
Dubai Municipality has completed a giant $7m beautification project, which is visible from airplane passengers entering the city by air. The Municipality has announced the completion of a beautification and greening project at the intersection of Airport Road and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Road, as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the city’s aesthetic appeal and profile as a unique global tourist destination. As one of the first landmarks to be seen by arrivals to the Emirate, this iconic new green space features a modern and sustainable design that highlights the words “Welcome to Dubai” in both Arabic and English, providing an attractive view of the city from above and a distinctive greeting to visitors. Welcome to Dubai signDawoud Al Hajri, Director General of Dubai Municipality highlighted that the project has been developed in line with the vision of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to establish Dubai as the world’s best city to live in. The project reflects the Municipality’s commitment to double the number of green spaces in the Emirate and enhance the city’s beauty in line with international sustainability standards – creating an attractive environment […]
1 day ago
The Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs in Kuwait has announced that electronic registration for the upcoming Hajj season will start from November 3 to November 17 through a dedicated online platform. According to Mohammed Al Saidi, acting director of the Department of Hajj and Umrah Affairs, the new centralised registration system has successfully reduced participation costs by 40%, making it more accessible, especially for low-income individuals. The system also introduces an age group classification that allows participants of all ages to perform the Hajj rituals, with a quota of 8,000 spots available for Kuwaiti pilgrims. The registration guidelines specify that applicants should not have previously performed Hajj. They also permit group registrations of up to three related individuals and allow the inclusion of a resident or a companion of unspecified nationality, provided they are related. Al Saidi further explained that two distinct segments are targeted: Kuwaitis and Bedoon (stateless individuals), each considered separate groups. After registration closes on November 17, screening will occur immediately, with admissions processed according to age groups — a new system designed to ensure representation across all age demographics. The age categories are divided into three groups: those 60 years and older, those between 35 […]
1 day ago
Etihad Airways has launched two new routes — Warsaw in Poland and Prague in Czechia—marking the first time the airline has flown directly to these countries. Starting from June 2, 2025, Etihad will launch four weekly flights to both Warsaw and Prague. This milestone expansion is part of Etihad’s ongoing efforts to diversify its European network. These routes will be operated by Etihad’s modern Boeing 787 Dreamliner, ensuring the highest level of comfort with 28 Business Class and 262 Economy Class seats available on every flight. Antonoaldo Neves, CEO of Etihad Airways, said, “We are proud to introduce Warsaw and Prague as our newest destinations, reflecting our commitment to expanding into new and exciting markets. These routes not only enrich our network but also offer a great opportunity to strengthen ties with these countries and attract more visitors to Abu Dhabi. We see this as a key part of our growth strategy, helping to drive tourism and support the UAE’s vision for the future.”
1 day ago
Cebu Pacific has announced a flash sale with tickets to the Philippines available from as little as AED1 ($0.27). The Philippines’ leading carrier announced its highly anticipated 9.9 seat sale this September, with AED 1 one-way base fare tickets, exclusive of fees and surcharges. The travel period is from November 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025. Cebu Pacific sale Cebu Pacific is also set to boost its flights between Dubai and Manila to 10 times per week in November. With CEB’s low fares made even more affordable, travellers from Dubai have a low-cost opportunity to go on a much-deserved vacation and spend the Christmas season with their friends and family, said the airline. Travellers can explore the islands of Iloilo and Zamboanga, savour the flavours of Bacolod and General Santos, or experience high-adrenaline activities in Davao. Passengers are encouraged to avail of CEB’s GO Flexi offering when booking flights and, for a small fee during the initial booking, be able to cancel flights up to two hours before departure and receive the value of their booking as a non-expiring Travel Fund. Passengers may use their Travel Funds to book flights and avail of other add-ons. CEB also offers other payment options, […]
3 days ago
New regulations for yachting in the Red Sea were issued on Thursday, the Saudi Red Sea Authority has announced. The new rules will outline the necessary requirements and conditions for the use of yachts in Red Sea waters, as well as overseeing the issuance of tourism and leisure licenses and permits, the Saudi Press Agency reported. They will outline the conditions and procedures for issuing technical licenses for leisure tourism, and the required criteria for yacht owners or authorized tourism maritime agents. The regulations will also ensure environmental protection for coastal areas, and an adherence to sustainability practices and all safety requirements as part of SRSA’s role in developing the coastal tourism sector. They will specify the requirements for obtaining a tourism trip permit within Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea waters, including mandatory documentation such as passenger information, sailing destinations, and chartering contract. The issuance of the new regulations coincides with the launch of SRSA’s awareness campaign More Than a Sea, through which the authority highlights its role in developing the coastal tourism sector.
4 days ago
Wizz Air has announced its first route using the new Airbus A321XLR aircraft, connecting Abu Dhabi and Milan Malpensa. The daily flights are set to begin on June 2, 2025, with fares starting from AED429. The ultra-low-cost carrier aims to revolutionise long-haul travel by offering intercontinental flights at competitive prices. Tickets are now available for purchase on Wizz Air’s website and mobile application, both of which support Arabic language. Wizz Air launches new daily flights from Abu Dhabi to MilanTamara Vallois, Head of Commercial at Wizz Air Abu Dhabi said: “We’re excited to build up on the momentum from launching our new routes from Abu Dhabi to Chisinau and Cluj and announce the first destination for the Airbus A321XLR, the most cost-efficient aircraft of its class. The enhanced range capability will connect Abu Dhabi to new and exciting destinations across our ever-expanding network. “This announcement to operate the Airbus A321XLR to Zayed International Airport, reaffirms our commitment to connecting cultures and continents. We’re delighted to unlock unbeatable fares for our customers on the newly announced route to Milan, while offering the most sustainable option for flying. We look forward to welcoming you on the A321XLR for a well-deserved vacation soon.” […]
5 days ago
Six crew members have died after an Iranian merchant ship capsized in Kuwaiti waters, Iran’s official news agency IRNA reported Tuesday. “The Arabakhtar I ship, whose six crew members were of Indian and Iranian nationality, sank on Sunday,” Nasser Passandeh, head of Iran’s port and maritime navigation authority, was quoted by IRNA as saying. The report did not say what caused the Sunday incident, and an Iranian official said search operations were still ongoing to locate three of the victims’ bodies. Three bodies had been retrieved in a joint effort between Iran and Kuwait, Passandeh said.
6 days ago
Virgin Atlantic has announced it will fly from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia to London, England. Minister of Tourism Ahmed bin Aqeel Al Khateeb oversaw the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Air Connectivity Program (ACP) and Virgin Atlantic Airlines at the Ministry of Tourism’s headquarters. The agreement is set to enhance air connectivity between Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom by launching a direct flight route between Riyadh and London. Saudi Virgin Atlantic flights to London The new route will facilitate access to various cities within the Kingdom, with daily flights operating between London Heathrow Airport and King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. The service, scheduled to begin next March, will utilise Airbus A330 aircraft. Virgin Atlantic’s entry into the Saudi market marks the tenth airline collaboration with the ACP since the start of the year, underscoring ongoing efforts to boost air connectivity in the Kingdom. The Air Connectivity Program is a key component of the National Tourism Strategy and National Aviation Strategy. It aims to drive tourism growth by developing and expanding air routes between Saudi Arabia and international destinations. The ACP fosters collaboration between public and private sector stakeholders in the tourism and aviation industries, strengthening the Kingdom’s position as a premier […]
7 days ago
As the new academic year began in the UAE, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is offering a 20 per cent discount on flights to popular destinations. This limited-time offer is available for bookings made through the Wizz mobile app or the airline’s website until 1:59am local time on September 5 (11:59pm CEST on September 4), for travel until March 30, 2025 The promotion includes recently launched routes to new destinations like Chisinau, a green city, and Cluj-Napoca, a cultural hub. Passengers are encouraged to fly before March 30, 2025 so they can enjoy significant savings on selected flights. The airline currently operates more than 30 routes from Abu Dhabi, and travellers are encouraged to book early for destinations like Almaty, Amman, Athens, Dammam, Erbil, Bishkek, Alexandria, Sohag, Larnaca, and Giza. Johan Eidhagen, managing director of Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, expressed his excitement about the promotion, stating: “We’re thrilled to start the school year with this unmissable offer, promoting spontaneous adventures. As the leader in ultra-low-cost travel in the region, we’re committed to providing travellers with the opportunity to explore extraordinary destinations across our growing network.” The airline has also recently introduced ‘All You Can Fly’ membership which allows passengers to purchase […]
7 days ago
A driver was killed when a large tree fell on his vehicle as a result of severe winds that swept through Saudi Arabia’s holy capital Mecca. The strong winds, which accompanied rainfall in most neighbourhoods, caused the tree to collapse onto the car, resulting in the driver’s death on the spot. Witnesses reported that the driver had attempted to stop his vehicle to navigate through the stormy conditions. However, the intensity of the wind prevented him from escaping the falling tree. Rescue teams from the Civil Defence in Mecca’s Al Zaher neighbourhood responded immediately. Despite their efforts to extricate the driver from the damaged vehicle, they were unable to save him. Sunday evening’s weather in Mecca included moderate to heavy rainfall across various city neighbourhoods, leading to flooded streets.
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