Travel - Gulf Insider

2 weeks ago

Etihad Increases Madrid Flights, Boosts Ties With Air Europa

Etihad Airways and leading Spanish-based carrier Air Europa are working towards a strategic partnership, enhancing commercial and operational ties to provide travellers with wider choices, higher quality services, and increased value. Etihad is increasing its flights to twice daily to Air Europa’s hub in Madrid from summer 2025, providing seamless access between Abu Dhabi and Spain. The partnership would further strengthen connectivity between Europe and Latin America, and the Middle East and Asia, creating seamless travel options across these key regions. Etihad Airways and Air Europa partnership Arik De, Chief Revenue and Commercial of Etihad Airways, said: ” We are in discussions to establish a strategic partnership covering a range of activities, including deepening our codeshare and frequent flyer programme, enabling both airlines to expand into new frontiers, and a potential wet lease operation with an Air Europa aircraft between Madrid and Abu Dhabi. “Any partnership will work towards benefiting customers of both airlines, underscoring our commitment to providing our valued customers with a seamless travel experience and access to a wider network, including Air Europa’s leading Latin America Network.” Richard Clark, Air Europa’s General Manager, said: “We are very pleased to expand our partnership with Etihad Airways into a scenario […]

2 weeks ago

Gulf Air Announces Direct Flights To London Gatwick

Gulf Air, the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain, has announced the launch of new direct flights to London Gatwick Airport, strengthening its presence in the UK market. Starting March 30, the airline will offer three weekly flights on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday, using its flagship Boeing 789 Dreamliner aircraft. The aircraft features 26 flatbed seats in business class, offering the largest business class real estate in the region. This expansion reflects the growing demand for travel between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom, providing passengers with greater choice and convenience. London Gatwick will complement Gulf Air’s existing services to London, offering enhanced connectivity to a wider range of destinations across the UK and beyond. A Gulf Air spokesperson stated: “This new route to London Gatwick is a significant step in Gulf Air’s wider vision to expand the carrier’s network and further strengthen the vital links between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United Kingdom. We are confident this service will not only provide greater travel options for Gulf Air’s passengers but also boost trade and tourism opportunities between the two countries.” Flights will depart Bahrain International Airport (BAH) at 01:45, arriving at London Gatwick (LGW) at […]

2 weeks ago

New Riyadh Metro Station Opened

The Royal Commission for Riyadh City has inaugurated the Qasr Al Hokm Station of the Riyadh Metro network, as one of the four main stations in the network. The station serves as a vital hub connecting the blue and orange metro lines with the bus network. It also serves administrative buildings, palaces, historical squares and markets, shopping centres, tourist sites, and residents of Qasr Al Hokm area in the heart of Riyadh. Riyadh Metro Qasr Al Hokm Station Qasr Al Hokm Station features a design that blends tradition with modernity, inspired by the principles of the Salmani architecture. It includes a gleaming steel curtain that visually connects the various levels of the station with its surrounding area, reflecting daylight into the station while providing shade to the surrounding open areas. The station spans an area of 22,500sq m, with 88,000sq m of building space. It consists of seven floors, with a depth of 35m underground. It includes 17 elevators, 46 escalators, numerous shops, services, public facilities, and various artistic sculptures and displays. Also read: UAE Calls for Moon-sighting to Mark Start of Ramadan 2025

2 weeks ago

Sharjah Launches First Digital Taxi Service With Yango App, 500 Vehicles In Trial Phase

Sharjah Asset Management, the investment arm of the Government of Sharjah, announced the trial launch of the first city taxi booking service in the emirate, in partnership with Yango Group. This new service, facilitated through the Yango app, aims at advancing the transportation sector in Sharjah, and providing safe, fast and convenient services to users. Sharjah partners with Yango The Yango app, available for free on iOS and Android in multiple languages including Arabic and English, allows users to book taxis by setting their destination. With real-time geolocation, the app efficiently connects passengers to the nearest available vehicle, ensuring a quick and hassle-free experience. Waleed Al Sayegh, Group CEO, said the trial launch of the app reflects Sharjah Asset Management’s keenness to adopt technology-driven solutions to build a sustainable, connected, effective and future-ready transportation system. “We are dedicated to leveraging impactful partnerships to drive sustainable growth in the emirate through strategic investments and innovative projects that support economic diversification and growth,” he said. Khalid Al Kindi, the General Manager of Sharjah Taxi, said the initiative is a major step in supporting the local economy of the Emirate and providing a seamless, hassle-free experience for Sharjah citizens and residents. “The trial phase of the […]

3 weeks ago

More Of The Same? Germany Resumes Inbound Afghan Flights After Legacy Parties Survive Election Scare

The German government has resumed flights for Afghan refugees from Pakistan after a temporary suspension during the election campaign. On Tuesday, 155 Afghans arrived in Berlin, marking the first group to be transported since the election results secured power for the legacy parties CDU and SPD, who are expected to form a coalition government. Flights for Afghan refugees were paused ahead of the election due to concerns over immigration and political optics. The decision followed a series of high-profile crimes committed by Afghan nationals, which fueled fears that further arrivals could strengthen the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. The Federal Ministry of the Interior (BMI) had officially cited logistical issues as the reason for canceling two charter flights in the weeks leading up to the election. Now, with the election concluded, approximately 3,000 Afghans currently waiting at reception centers in Islamabad are expected to be transported to Germany in the coming weeks. According to Die Welt, Germany has accepted more than 48,000 Afghans since August 2021, with almost 36,000 classified as “particularly endangered” by the federal government. Reports indicate that the cost of these relocations has amounted to several hundred million euros. The decision to suspend flights during the campaign followed a […]

3 weeks ago

Muscat’s Transport Overhaul: Metro, Water Taxis & Public Spaces Expansion In Oman

Oman’s capital Muscat is set for a transformative public transportation overhaul as the Muscat Municipal Council has outlined ambitious plans for urban mobility and recreational development. Chaired by Sayyid Saud bin Hilal Al Busaidi, Governor of Muscat, the council’s second meeting brought together representatives from Oman National Transport Company (Mwasalat) and Muscat Municipality to review key initiatives aimed at enhancing public transport and urban sustainability in the capital. Comprehensive Transport Strategy A major highlight of the meeting was Mwasalat’s strategic public transportation plan (2015-2040), presented by its CEO Badr bin Mohammed Al Nadabi. The roadmap is divided into three phases: Eng. Al Nadabi also outlined Mwasalat’s broader transportation strategy, covering public transport regulations, bus networks, urban mobility services, marine passenger transport, and rail systems. The company’s current fleet includes six ferries, 320 minibuses, 116 city buses, and 49 large buses. Mwasalat’s ambitious targets for 2040 are: Urban Development and Recreational Projects The Muscat Municipality also presented two major recreational projects: These initiatives aim to promote healthy lifestyles, reduce pollution, and support environmental sustainability while stimulating local economic activity. With these forward-thinking projects, Muscat is poised to redefine its urban landscape, creating a more sustainable, efficient, and accessible city for residents […]

3 weeks ago

India’s IndiGo Expands Saudi Network With New Hyderabad-Madinah Direct Flights

Leading Indian airline IndiGo announced the launch of a new direct service to Madinah from the south Indian city of Hyderabad. The new direct flight service, which will be operated thrice-weekly, will provide convenient and affordable travel options for pilgrims and other travellers seeking to visit the revered city, the airline said. The new service will be the carrier’s 38th international destination and 128th overall destination. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales, IndiGo, said the introduction of direct flights on the Madinah-Hyderabad route represents a vital bridge facilitating religious as well as cultural exchange between India and Saudi Arabia. “By commencing direct flights to Madinah, a major Islamic pilgrimage site, we aim to simplify travel within the region and beyond,” he said. With the new service, IndiGo will now operate over 100 flights a week from various cities in India to four destinations in Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah and Madinah. IndiGo said it currently operates over 190 daily departures connecting 65 domestic and 15 international destinations from Hyderabad.

3 weeks ago

SalamAir To Add 10 New Airbus Planes To Meet Growing Demand

Oman’s SalamAir has announced its intention to add 10 additional aircraft to its existing fleet over the coming three years to meet growing passenger demand. The airline placed a formal request for 10 Airbus A320 aircraft with multiple aircraft leasing companies in order to meet its growth targets for the coming five-year period. Adrian Hamilton-Manns, SalamAir’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Our return to our Low-Fare approach has been highly successful, with full aircraft and more demand than we can meet. SalamAir Oman “Our expansion over the next five years requires more aircraft to enable us to develop more domestic and regional flights, and to introduce destinations that are currently unserved by airlines. “These steps will stimulate tourism to Oman and ensure faster growth in the sector. Our low-fare model is highly popular and our plans to add 10 additional aircraft over the coming three years is a response to the demand that we see for budget travel. “We see other airlines attempting to move to this market due to the obvious demand that exists; This is positive as competition will reduce fares and benefit the consumer.” In 2024 the airline carried more than 3.2m passengers, representing a 20 per cent […]

3 weeks ago

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport Tests Autonomous Buses, Baggage Tractors in Regional First

Equipped with advanced technologies such as GPS, AI-driven systems, and various intelligent sensors and lidars, these vehicles are designed to enhance operational safety and efficiency Qatar Aviation Services (QAS), in collaboration with MATAR, and Qatar Science & Technology Park (QSTP) – a member of Qatar Foundation – launched an initiative to trial the latest autonomous transportation solutions at Hamad International Airport. The trial run within the airport’s airside operations marks a first for the region. The proof-of-concept trials, which started its initial autonomous staff bus trials testing from Sunday, February 16, will integrate cutting-edge autonomous vehicles, including an autonomous bus and an autonomous baggage tractor, the airport said. Equipped with advanced technologies such as GPS, AI-driven systems, and various intelligent sensors and lidars, these vehicles are designed to enhance operational safety and efficiency. Their capabilities include 24/7 operations under diverse weather conditions, real-time monitoring, and automated charging systems. Hamad Ali Al Khater, Chief Operating Officer at Hamad International Airport, said the airport is proud to lead the way by trialling autonomous vehicles. “We are excited to lead the way into a future where technology and mobility seamlessly converge and look forward to a successful outcome through collaboration with our key stakeholders,” he […]

4 weeks ago

Al-Hada Road In Taif Will Reopen For Traffic On Thursday

The Roads General Authority (RGA) has announced the reopening of Al-Hada Road in Taif for traffic from 5:00 pm on Thursday, Feb. 20, after completing maintenance works. The maintenance works that completed within less than two months aimed at raising the level of safety, improving the quality of the road, and raising its efficiency. This step comes within the framework of the RGA’s ongoing efforts to develop infrastructure and enhance road safety standards, which contributes to providing a safer and smoother driving experience for motorists. The RGA had announced earlier the temporary closure of Al-Hada Road for maintenance work from January 1, 2025. This effort is part of the RGA’s broader endeavors to improve road quality, enhance safety standards, and ensure smoother traffic flow. The maintenance work was aligned with the objectives of the Roads Sector Strategy, which emphasizes safety, quality, and the efficient management of traffic density.

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Etihad Increases Madrid Flights, Boosts Ties With Air Europa

Gulf Air Announces Direct Flights To London Gatwick

New Riyadh Metro Station Opened

Sharjah Launches First Digital Taxi Service With Yango App, 500 Vehicles In Trial Phase

More Of The Same? Germany Resumes Inbound Afghan Flights After Legacy Parties Survive Election Scare

Muscat’s Transport Overhaul: Metro, Water Taxis & Public Spaces Expansion In Oman

India’s IndiGo Expands Saudi Network With New Hyderabad-Madinah Direct Flights

SalamAir To Add 10 New Airbus Planes To Meet Growing Demand

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport Tests Autonomous Buses, Baggage Tractors in Regional First

Al-Hada Road In Taif Will Reopen For Traffic On Thursday

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