2.9 million Chinese tourists will travel to GCC in 2022 Saudi Arabia to experience highest proportionate increase in arrivals from China, with a projected CAGR of 33% between 2018 and 2022 25% of delegates, exhibitors and attendees were interested in doing business with China at Arabian Travel Market 2018 Dubai, UAE, December 19, 2018:  The number of Chinese tourists travelling to the GCC is expected to increase 81% from 1.6 million in 2018 to 2.9 million in 2022, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2019, which takes place at Dubai World Trade Centre from 28 April – 1 May 2019.   The latest research from Colliers International, in partnership with ATM 2019, reveals that the GCC countries currently attract just 1% of China’s total outbound market, however positive trends ......read more

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, December 19, 2018:  Etihad Airways will introduce the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its scheduled services from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona, effective 22 February 2019, replacing the Airbus A330-200 currently operating the recently launched route.   The deployment of the larger 787 Dreamliner to Barcelona has been timed to coincide with the Mobile World Conference taking place in the city from 25-28 February, during which Etihad Airways will provide daily flights. The airline will increase frequency to a permanent daily operation from 31 March.   The service will feature Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats - 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats -  a capacity increase of six seats in Business and 31 in Economy in ......read more

Dubai, UAE, 18 December 2018 -   Emirates, the world’s largest international airline and South African Airways (SAA), the South African flag carrier, are expanding their strategic cooperation with enhancements to its codeshare agreement, opening up new destinations for both Emirates and SAA customers. Pending governmental approval, SAA and Emirates have signed an enhanced commercial partnership which will see the relationship between the two carriers grow and strengthen their already successful codeshare agreement signed in 1997, across a wide spectrum of commercial and customer touch points. “This agreement marks a significant forward step in the execution of our strategy and in transforming our business. It will enable us to explore and leverage synergies between ourselves in a much more enhanced relationship ......read more

The first edition of the Global Investment in Aviation Summit (GIAS 2019), slated to take place in Dubai on January 28 & 29, 2019. GIAS 2019 to bring together world’s top industry experts and professionals. GIAS 2019 is held in the light of the expected growth rates and capital inflows into the aviation industry due to the steady and remarkable increase in demands for air transport, as the world’s safest mode of transportation, in addition to its reasonable costs. Dubai, UAE, December 18, 2018:  The first edition of the Global Investment in Aviation Summit (GIAS 2019), slated to take place in Dubai on January 28 & 29, 2019, will bring together more than 2, 000 participants, including the world’s top investors in the aviation sector, government leaders, private financers, aviation asset ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 17, 2018:  Emirates today announced it will introduce a daily A380 service for a temporary period between Glasgow and Dubai from 16 April 2019.  It will be the first time the popular double decker aircraft will operate on a scheduled basis to Scotland. The larger capacity A380 will replace Emirates’ current twice daily Boeing 777 service between Glasgow and Dubai from 16 April until 31 May 2019, during which time Dubai Airports plan to close Dubai International’s (DXB) southern runway for upgrade works, and the single runway operations require airlines to reduce and adjust their operating schedules. The deployment of the A380 is to minimise the reduction of Emirates’ capacity from Glasgow to Dubai and beyond during this period. The A380 flight will depart Dubai at 1450hrs and arrive ......read more

Budget Policies Leave Holidaymakers Short on Cover in an Emergency Expats Have Specific Concerns for Medical Terms and Conditions Take Special Care When Buying ‘Added Extra’ Insurance Online Dubai, UAE, December 17, 2018:  UAE residents are being urged to check the fine print on their travel insurance before flying abroad during the New Year period, with some policies potentially leaving them short on cover in an emergency.   Paul Brierley of Nexus Insurance Brokers says gaps in provision are especially problematic when travel insurance is offered as an ‘extra’, such as when booking a holiday or as part of a credit card contract.   “These are good insurance policies from reputable companies, but they are often very simple and take a one-size-fits-all approach,” said ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 16, 2018:   Emirates, the world’s largest international airline and a main sponsor of Spanish football club, Real Madrid, today unveiled a new decal featuring action images of some of the club’s top players on one of its A380 aircraft. The new decal was created to mark the occasion of Real Madrid’s charter flight on an Emirates A380 from Madrid to Abu Dhabi today, where the team in their capacity as current European champions will compete with football club champions from other continents. The bespoke decal features first team players Marcelo, Luka Modrić, Sergio Ramos, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, and covers over 200 square metres on each side of the double decker aircraft. A time lapse video of the decal being placed onto the A380 can be viewed here. Decals featuring ......read more

“Konnichiwa” Komatsu Dubai, UAE, December 16, 2018:  Cathay Pacific is introducing a new scheduled seasonal service to Komatsu next spring, making the beautiful natural landscapes and rich cultural attractions of Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture more easily accessible to UAE travellers via Hong Kong. The new two-times-weekly service* will be operated on Wednesdays and Saturdays between 3 April 2019 and 26 October 2019 using Airbus A330-300 aircraft featuring both Business and Economy Class cabins. Cathay Pacific has operated charter flights to Komatsu, the gateway to Ishikawa, in central Honshu, at peak holiday periods over the past two years, and the introduction of the new scheduled service underlines the airline’s commitment to its key Japanese market. Tickets to and from Komatsu will be available ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 15, 2018:  Turkish Airlines, who has recently announced its passenger and cargo traffic results for November 2018, reached 81.4% Load Factor in that month. On top of the strong base effect of the last year, growth in the number of passengers, revenue per kilometer and load factor, is an important indicator of the continued growing interest in Turkey and Turkish Airlines in the last quarter of the year as well.     According to the November 2018 Traffic Results;  The passenger growth trend continued in November, thus total number of passengers carried went up by 4% -compared to the same month of 2017- reaching 5.5 million passengers, and Load Factor went up to 81.4%.  In November 2018, Total Load Factor improved by 2 points -compared to the same period of 2017-, while ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 13, 2018:  The Winter holidays are set to start soon with schools in the UAE breaking for holidays in the coming week, leading to a particularly busy time at Abu Dhabi Airport.   To ensure guests enjoy a convenient travel experience during this busy period, Etihad Airways has a number of travel tips and reminders to save time:   Early Check-in For the convenience of those guests who live downtown, early check-in is available at the Abu Dhabi City Terminal for AED30 per guest. Guests should arrive at Abu Dhabi International Airport at least three hours before take-off, accounting for extra road traffic.     Check-in and Boarding Times Economy Class check-in for non-US flights opens three hours before departure and closes one hour before departure. Guests travelling ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 13, 2018:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasts the global airline industry net profit to be $35.5 billion in 2019, slightly ahead of the $32.3 billion expected net profit in 2018 (revised down from $33.8 billion forecast in June). Highlights of expected 2019 performance include: The return on invested capital is expected to be 8.6% (unchanged from 2018) The margin on net post-tax profits is expected be 4.0% (basically unchanged from 3.9% in 2018) Overall industry revenues are expected to reach $885 billion (+7.7% on $821 billion in 2018) Passenger numbers are expected to reach 4.59 billion (up from 4.34 billion in 2018) Cargo tonnes carried are expected to reach 65.9 million (up from 63.7 million in 2018) Slower demand growth for both passenger traffic (+6.0% in 2019, ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 13, 2018:  The International Air Transport Association (IATA) launched its Turbulence Aware data resource to help airlines avoid turbulence when planning routes tactically in flight. Turbulence Aware augments an airline’s ability to forecast and avoid turbulence by pooling and sharing (in real time) turbulence data generated by participating airlines.     Today airlines rely upon pilot reports and weather advisories to mitigate the impact of turbulence on their operations. These tools—while effective—have limitations due to the fragmentation of the data sources, inconsistencies in the level and quality of information available, and the locational imprecision and the subjectivity of the observations. For example, there is no standardized scale for the severity of turbulence ......read more

Enhanced industry nationalisation initiatives encouraging Emiratis to pursue careers in travel and tourism sector Dubai, UAE; 13 December 2018:   Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has announced plans to further drive industry Emiratisation efforts to create a strong pool of local talent that will play a key role in helping Dubai achieve its Tourism Vision 2025. As guided by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, nationalisation initiatives launched by Dubai Tourism’s vocational education institution, the Dubai College of Tourism (DCT), continue to raise awareness among prospective young job-seekers within the local community, offering opportunities to pursue tourist-facing roles across diverse ......read more

A6-EQP is the 190th Boeing 777 aircraft to be delivered to Emirates Emirates’ modern and efficient fleet strategy to continue with future deliveries of Boeing 777-8 and 777-9 aircraft Dubai, UAE, 13 December 2018 - Emirates celebrated an important fleet milestone with the delivery of the final Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its order books. A6-EQP is the 190th Boeing 777 aircraft to be delivered to Emirates, the world’s largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft and also the only airline in the world to have operated all the six variants of the Boeing 777 family. One of out every eight 777 aircraft ever manufactured by Boeing has been delivered to Emirates. Emirates will also be one of the first airlines in the world to fly the two next generation models- the Boeing 777-8 and 777-9.  Watch a video of the delivery ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 12, 2018:   Dubai-based flydubai launches new fare types offering passengers more choice when travelling in Economy. The new fare types are applicable for all bookings made from 02 December onwards and allows passengers to choose between Lite, Value and Flex bundles designed to cater to their different travel needs and budget. Passengers travelling in Business continue to benefit from great value for money with the existing business class fares that include a generous checked-in baggage allowance, meal options from an internationally inspired menu, complimentary inflight entertainment and many other add-ons. Commenting on the launch of the new fare structure, Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai said: “As we enter a new chapter of the airline’s maturity we remain ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 11, 2018:  Dubai South unveiled today the Aviation One office complex, the Dubai South flagship commercial property on the sideline of MEBAA 2018.  “The Aviation one is a premium and one-stop shop business facility. A unique commercial complex in new Aviation District at Dubai South, Aviation One is located next to the VIP Terminal the heart of the General Aviation District at Dubai South,” said Tahnoon Saif, Chief Executive Officer of the Aviation District at Dubai South. Unveiling this modern business address in the heart of the new aviation capital of the world, was one of many activities Aviation District, Dubai South had during MEBAA show 2018. Other activities included hosting VIP guests to introduce them to the facilities of the VIP terminal, as well as signings with other ......read more

3 weekly flights to connect Abu Dhabi with the new destination in India   11th December 2018, Abu Dhabi, UAE:   Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) welcomed yesterday Air India Express inaugural flight from Kannur, India, commencing 3 weekly flights that connect the UAE Capital’s airport with Kannur International Airport (CNN).   The inaugural Air India Express flight from Kannur touched down in Abu Dhabi on Sunday 9th December at 12:30pm marking the start of a brand new route for the airline, with Abu Dhabi as the first destination for the airline from Kannur. Following the inaugural activity, the 3 weekly non-stop flights from Kannur will arrive at AUH at 11:30am and depart at 12:30pm on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.    Abu Dhabi Airports’ Chief Commercial Officer, ......read more

New independent report assesses the digital maturity of Dubai’s hotel sector highlighting best practice digital technology  80% of hotel searches and 60% of travel searches in the Middle East and North Africa made using mobile phones, emphasising importance of digital, social and mobile first strategy Revenue management training sessions rolled out to stakeholders, stimulating global price competitiveness  Dubai, UAE, 10 December 2018:   Dubai’s Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) has unveiled a third-party research report on the digital maturity of hotels in the emirate, with the objective of further improving the competitiveness of the travel and tourism industry. The report was commissioned by Dubai Tourism as part of its on-going commitment to facilitate and ......read more

Dubai, 6th December 2018 –   For the first time, Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) will take part in MEBAA Dubai, the Middle East's leading business aviation exhibition.   Located at Chalet A15, ACH will display a new ACH145 cabin model equipped with the Mercedes-Benz Style interior, part of the range of interior designs by partner brands and designers: ACH Editions.  The model will showcase the elegant interior design inspired by the luxury-class saloons of the automotive manufacturer matched with the features of the outstanding medium sized, twin-engine helicopter. Mercedes-Benz Style brings classic elegance and style to combine with perfect form and function of the ACH145, delivering best-in-class standards of business and private travel.  In addition, a range of high-quality materials and ......read more

IMAGES: https://we.tl/t-riYunpUUUZ   December 06, 2018:  Charm, atmosphere and pure relaxation are guaranteed when visiting Switzerland.  Enjoy the Mediterranean flair in Summer while Island hopping in Ascona-Locarno, create your very own watch in Geneva or challenge your taste buds by tasting over 30 different kind of chocolates in Zurich. During the colder months, visit Switzerland to indulge in world-class skiing and the ultimate spa experiences set in true winter wonderlands.   ISLAND FEELING IN ASCONA-LOCARNO   Enjoy stunningly beautiful Brissago Islands on Lake Maggiore with their diverse botanical gardens. Easy to reach by boat from Ascona or Locarno, the islands feature exotic flowers and plants as well as a gourmet restaurant set in a historical villa. The perfect base to discover ......read more

Masdar, in collaboration with Pavegen, creates data and energy harvesting walkway at Abu Dhabi’s Gateway 5th December, 2018, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates:  Abu Dhabi International Airport has officially announced the launch of an interactive walkway which converts the footsteps of travellers into off-grid electricity and data.  Abu Dhabi Airports has commissioned Pavegen, the award-winning UK clean-tech company, in collaboration with Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) to construct a 16-square metre energy harvesting walkway. The path connects two terminals within the capital’s high-tech airport, which handles around 2 million passengers a month and is the first application of its kind in a commercial airport in the Middle East. The footsteps of around 8,000 travellers per day are being ......read more

Starting 1 December – two of the four daily Emirates flights to Johannesburg are being operated by the iconic A380 Dubai, UAE, December 05, 2018:   Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has introduced an additional Airbus A380 service to Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport), effective 1 December, replacing the previous Boeing 777 aircraft on the route. EK762 (JNB-DXB) and EK761 (DXB-JNB) are now served by the flagship A380 aircraft.   This change in aircraft supports growing demand in South Africa, a 14% increase in seat capacity will be as a direct result of deployment of the second A380 to Johannesburg. The Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft serving the Dubai-Johannesburg route will offer a total of 519 seats in a three-class configuration, with 429 spacious seats in ......read more

Dubai, UAE, December 04, 2018:  More than 200,000 vehicles delivered in October, up 1.7% +++ All three major sales regions contributed to year-to-date growth +++ BMW sales grow in October and year-to-date +++ BMW X3 sales more than double in October +++ Electrified sales up over 40% in year-to-date +++ Munich. The BMW Group has sold more cars in October than ever before in the month, despite the current challenging economic and political situation. The company delivered 200,883 vehicles to customers around the world, an increase of 1.7% on the same month last year. That result brings the company’s year-to-date sales total to 2,035,695, up 1.3% compared with the first ten months of the previous year.   “In a highly volatile environment, we have achieved steady sales growth both in October and the year to ......read more

Prestigious event to take place in November 2019 in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi Airports host appointment announced during handover ceremony at ACI Airport Exchange 2018 in Oslo, Norway 4th December 2018, Abu Dhabi, UAE:   Abu Dhabi Airports is to host the Airport Council International (ACI) Airport Exchange 2019. The announcement was made during an official handover ceremony at the 2018 edition of the event last week in Oslo, Norway.   The special handover ceremony at the close of ACI Airport Exchange 2018 saw Mohammed Al Katheeri, SVP Strategy and Communications at Abu Dhabi Airports officially receive the hosting rights and responsibilities to Abu Dhabi Airports.   Bringing together 1,500 airport leaders and hundreds of speakers, the ACI Airport Exchange is a major annual event that is hosted by ......read more

Dubai, UAE - 1 December 2018:   Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and Air Arabia will be performing a flypast tomorrow over the UAE as a centrepiece performance to celebrate the UAE’s 47th National Day and the Year of Zayed. All four UAE carriers will be taking their flagship aircraft to the skies from 1pm (local time) and will be flying with the Al Fursan aerobatic display team. We encourage the public to take photos and videos however please remember not to put the formation at risk by using drones and to comply with all GCAA rules and ‘No Fly Zones’ for Unmanned Aircraft/Drones. The flypast will be flying across the following emirates at approximately the below times: Ras Al Khaimah -  13:40hrs Umm Al Quwain - 13:48hrs Sharjah Corniche - 13:52hrs Dubai - Jumeira 1 -  13:55hrs Dubai - ......read more