Breaking News
3 weeks ago
Flagged by Interpol but waved through the Causeway, a 26-year-old man fleeing war tried to fly to Europe on a forged passport. He made it as far as Bahrain International Airport, where he was caught and later jailed for a year. He had slipped into Bahrain the day before using the same doctored passport-genuine in origin but altered to carry another man’s name and details. The travel document had been arranged by an unnamed contact in his home country, who provided it for a fee. Visa At the border, the man handed the passport to an unsuspecting officer. The details were entered into the system and accepted without question, and a visa was issued. It might have ended there, but the following morning, he returned to the airport, passport in hand, hoping to continue on to Europe. This time, the system raised the alarm, and the passport had been flagged by Interpol.He was taken aside. The officer grew suspicious when the man rattled off every detail in the passport from memory, including numbers-unusual behavior in most cases. He was asked for proof of European citizenship or residency, but he had none.His signature did not match the one in the passport. […]
3 weeks ago
For budget-conscious travelers, some destinations offer incredible experiences at a fraction of the cost, while others can drain your wallet faster than expected. To help inspire your next vacation, Visual Capitalist’s Marcus Lu ranked the 15 cheapest and 15 most expensive countries to visit in 2025, based on data compiled by Hellosafe (prices converted to USD). Methodology and Highlights The average daily travel budgets shown in this graphic are calculated based on the following: Note that these average budgets do not include the cost of transportation to the destination country. The Cheapest Countries to Visit in 2025 Many of the world’s most budget-friendly destinations are found in Asia and Africa, where lower costs for food, accommodation, and transport make travel more affordable. There are a few challenges to be mindful of when picking these destinations. For starters, infrastructure and public services may not be as developed, meaning extra planning for accommodations and transport is required. Another factor is health precautions, as some destinations may require vaccinations or extra care with food and water. In tropical locations like Ghana, Rwanda, and India, travelers should be cautious about mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria or dengue fever. The Most Expensive Countries to Visit in 2025 Among the most expensive travel destinations are […]
3 weeks ago
Dubai’s flagship carrier, Emirates, has announced changes to its Brussels flight schedule due to the nationwide industrial strike on Monday. Flights EK183 and EK184, operating on the Dubai-Brussels-Dubai route, have been cancelled. However, EK181 from Dubai to Brussels will proceed as scheduled. Meanwhile, EK182, scheduled to depart from Brussels to Dubai on March 31, will be delayed and departing at noon local time on April 1, following an overnight stay in Brussels. Emirates has apologised for the inconvenience and advised affected passengers to contact their booking agents or the airline’s local office for rebooking options. Customers can also check the latest flight updates on the airline’s website. The nationwide strike is expected to impact travel plans for approximately 100,000 passengers significantly. The Flemish Travel Agency Association (VVR) estimates that the strike could result in financial losses exceeding €5.5 million for the tourism sector. The industrial action is being staged in protest against the federal government’s proposed labour market and pension reforms. As a result, Brussels Airport has cancelled all 244 scheduled departing passenger flights for the day, citing widespread participation from security personnel and ground handling staff.
3 weeks ago
Gulf Air, Bahrain’s national carrier, recently celebrated the launch of its new direct service between Bahrain International Airport and London Gatwick Airport with special events at both locations. This new connection underscores Gulf Air’s commitment to enhancing travel options, connectivity, and service quality for its passengers. The addition of London Gatwick complements Gulf Air’s longstanding service to London Heathrow Airport, a route operational since 1970. By adding Gatwick, Gulf Air expands its UK footprint, offering travellers two strategic entry points into London, one of the world’s leading cities for tourism and commerce. Celebrations at Bahrain International Airport The inaugural flight’s departure from Bahrain International Airport was marked by a welcoming event for passengers and guests, showcasing Bahraini hospitality. The celebration emphasised Gulf Air’s continuous efforts to connect Bahrain with significant international markets, highlighting the airline’s strategic objective of expanding its global presence. Warm Reception at London Gatwick Upon arrival at London Gatwick Airport, the inaugural flight received a ceremonial welcome attended by senior officials, including Hanadi AlAali, Gulf Air’s Chief Customer Experience Officer, and Jonathan Pollard, London Gatwick Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer. Their participation emphasised the strategic partnership between Gulf Air and Gatwick, underscoring shared goals of enhancing passenger experience and facilitating […]
3 weeks ago
Dubai-based carrier flydubai has announced the resumption of direct flights between Dubai and Pisa, operating three times weekly from April 1, 2025. The service will connect Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport (DXB) with Pisa International Airport (PSA), providing travellers from Dubai and the GCC with access to Italy’s Tuscany region. The reinstated route aims to boost tourism and trade between the two destinations while expanding flydubai’s Italian network, which now includes five cities: Catania, Milan-Bergamo, Naples, Olbia (seasonal summer route), and Pisa, the airline said in a statement on Friday. flydubai launches thrice-weekly flights between Dubai and Pisa from April 2025 “Since 2009, we have remained committed to opening up underserved markets and enhancing connectivity for our passengers, and we are pleased to do just that with our three-times weekly service to Pisa. As we approach the busy summer travel period, we look forward to welcoming more passengers on board who can expect a comfortable travel experience whether they are in Business or Economy Class,” Jeyhun Efendi, Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai said. The flights will provide connections to flydubai’s wider network of more than 130 destinations across 55 countries, including holiday destinations such as Mombasa, Langkawi, Penang, […]
4 weeks ago
The Ajman Transport Authority (ATA), in collaboration with BPC, a global leader in payment solutions, announced the launch of an open, contactless payment system for public buses. The new payment system, powered by BPC’s O-CITY platform, is the first phase of the next-generation fare collection solution for the transportation and smart city sectors in the emirate. Through this step, the Authority aims to provide passengers with a seamless, multi-modal travel experience and promote digital transformation in the public transport sector. The system allows passengers to make payments easily and securely using bank cards, smart payment methods such as Apple Pay, Google Pay, and even wearable payment devices such as smart watches, facilitating transportation and improving the user experience. Smart payment devices have now been installed on all public transport buses. The service has been activated on internal routes, with plans to expand it to include external routes in the coming period, Ajman Transport Authority said. The Masaar Travel smart app has also been developed, enabling passengers to plan their trips, track bus locations in real time, link their bank cards, and view their trip history. The project includes an advanced system for calculating fares based on zones and stops. Abeer Goumaa, Director of Service […]
4 weeks ago
Emirates will reinstate its second daily flight between Dubai and Beirut starting April 1, 2025. The second service, operated with a Boeing 777-300ER, will boost weekly passenger capacity by more than 5,000 seats both ways, offering customers flexibility and catering to the growing demand. Emirates’ flight EK957 will take off from Dubai at 7.30am, arriving in Beirut at 10.35am. Emirates Dubai-Beirut flights The return flight EK958 will depart from Beirut at 12.05pm and will arrive in Dubai at 4.55pm.
4 weeks ago
Robot taxi trials are set to begin in Abu Dhabi ahead of a launched service next year. Autogo, a UAE-based autonomous mobility solutions company under Kintsugi Holding, has announced the launch of its RoboTaxi service trials in Abu Dhabi, in preparation for full-scale operations by 2026. This step comes within the framework of a strategic partnership with Apollo Go, the autonomous mobility subsidiary of Baidu, one of the world’s leading companies in large-scale self-driving transportation, and aims to bring next-generation mobility technologies to the streets of Abu Dhabi. Robot taxis in Abu Dhabi The operational trials are being conducted in coordination with Abu Dhabi’s Integrated Transport Centre (ITC) to ensure the service aligns with local transport strategies, regulatory frameworks, and infrastructure requirements, as part of the emirate’s efforts to enhance smart mobility. RoboTaxi vehicles offer a smart and seamless transportation experience, designed to meet the needs of modern cities and their residents. With their advanced electric design and AI-driven systems, the vehicles ensure precise and consistent driving with real-time responsiveness to surrounding conditions. Autogo’s vision extends beyond simplifying mobility. The RoboTaxi aims to enhance road safety by reducing human driving errors, while its fully electric operation makes it a more […]
4 weeks ago
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has announced a three-day flash sale to celebrate the Eid travel season. The promotions will be live each night between 10pm and 4am UAE time: These time-limited deals come as Wizz Air continues to expand its network and encourage spontaneous, affordable travel across the region. Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Eid Al Fitr flight sale As a key contributor to the emirate’s sustainable tourism growth, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi offers ultra-low-fare travel to an expanding network of destinations, including:
4 weeks ago
The Jeddah Transport Company announced Monday a special Eid Al-Fitr discount on sea taxi fares, reducing ticket prices to SR25. The discounted fare is available from March 23 to April 3 on the sea taxi route connecting the Jeddah Yacht Club and the Historic Jeddah District. Previously, fares during Ramadan ranged between SR25 and SR50. Children under the age of 10 can ride free of charge. Jeddah’s sea taxi service launched its trial phase on March 6, initially linking the Yacht Club, the Historic District, and Sharm Obhur. It currently operates between the Yacht Club and the Historic District. The project is part of a broader initiative to improve transportation infrastructure and promote maritime tourism in the city. Jeddah Mayor Saleh Al-Turki previously announced plans to develop 20 modern sea taxi stations, with a total capacity of 29,000 passengers daily. The stations aim to enhance connectivity between Obhur’s waterfront and Jeddah’s central and northern districts, helping to ease road congestion.
Flip through our magazines online and read amazing content.
