Emirates : Increases flights to Algeria

In response to growing passenger demand for air travel, Emirates will double its flights between Algiers and Dubai from two to four weekly, starting 1 May 2022. The service currently between Algiers and Dubai will no longer be linked with Tunis, offering more flexibility and convenience to travel to Dubai and onwards to Emirates’ extensive network of more than 130 destinations. Emirates is also the only airline serving Algeria with private, enclosed First Class cabins, offering premium customers an enriched experience across every touchpoint of the journey.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Qatar Airways launches ‘Let’s Fly’ campaign to inspire post-pandemic travel

Qatar Airways has launched its ‘Let’s Fly’ campaign to encourage travellers to take to the skies in search of new experiences and memories.With trips postponed, family occasions missed and friends disconnected over the last two years, the new campaign aims to inspire people to start an exceptional journey of discovery from the moment they step on board a Qatar Airways aircraft. With creative agency partner McCann London, this marks the largest brand collaboration of the airline in seven years. As one of the only airlines to never stop flying during the pandemic, Qatar Airways has regrown its network to almost 150 global destinations, with around 500 daily flights taking people to where they want to go.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Emirates : resumes services to four destinations as demand surges

Emirates has announced it will ramp up its global operations with the restart of services to four destinations, including: Bali (1 May), London Stansted (1 August), Rio de Janeiro (2 November), and Buenos Aires (2 November). The airline has also announced it will boost services to Nigeria, Mauritius and Singapore to serve market demand. In line with the easing of travel restrictions worldwide, Emirates continues to rebuild and expand its global network to meet travel demand.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Etihad and Abu Dhabi Airports team up to launch Etihad Guest’s ‘Miles on the Go’

Abu Dhabi Airports, the owner and operator of the emirate’s five airports, and Etihad Guest, the loyalty programme of Etihad Airways, signed an agreement to launch the “Miles on the Go” product at Abu Dhabi International Airport.Etihad Guest members can now instantly earn and spend Etihad Guest Miles when shopping at participating merchants located at Abu Dhabi International Airport. By simply downloading the Etihad Guest app and linking up to five Visa cards to their profiles, members can spend their miles and receive cashback on their cards.Members can earn 1 Etihad Guest Mile and 1 Etihad Guest Tier Mile for every AED 3 spent at any of the 119 participating outlets including, lounges, luxury retail stores, dining establishments and Duty-Free outlets from over 35 brands.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Emirates to double capacity on Melbourne route

Emirates has announced a second daily flight on its Dubai-Melbourne route, served by its flagship A380.Starting May 1st, the airline will offer customers fourteen weekly services from Dubai to Melbourne. The expansion of services is supported by the Victorian government to help fast-track the return of international flights to Melbourne and bring more visitors to the state.Emirates’ additional daily flight will depart Dubai daily at 10:05, arriving in Melbourne at 05:30 the next day.From Melbourne, the flight will depart at 05:15 and arrive in Dubai at 13:10.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Emirates : Restores pre-pandemic schedule to India

Emirates will re-introduce pre-pandemic flight frequencies to its destinations in India from April 1st.The airline will be operating 170 weekly flights to nine cities in the country.The move comes on the back of the decision by the Indian government to restore international flights to and from the country in line with established bilateral agreements from the end of March.
Middle East
Airline
Business

SOUTH AFRICA: Amendments to South Africa's Adjusted Alert Level 1

South Africa will remain at Adjusted Alert Level 1 with the following amendments taking effect on 23 March 2022; Indoor and outdoor gatherings are permitted at 50% of the total venue capacity, if there is evidence that a person is fully vaccinated, or a negative PCR test is provided. If proof of vaccination or a negative PCR test is not available, the current limits apply for venues (maximum of 1000 people indoors and no more than 2000 people outdoors. Where a venue does not permit these numbers with appropriate social distancing, only 50% of the capacity of the venue will be permitted). All COVID-19 health and safety protocols must be followed, including observance of guidelines for social distancing, sanitation, hygiene, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment, such as face masks where required. All international travellers arriving in South Africa must produce either proof that they are fully vaccinated, or a negative PCR test not older than 72 hours. Masks must be worn for the duration of travel. A person entering the Republic must be subjected to screening on arrival at the point of entry, including the completion of a traveller health questionnaire. It remains essential to check the entry requirements of the country you wish to travel to, inclusive of any transits, stop overs as well as the end destination. Any returning South African citizens and residents will be subject to entry regulations and protocols.
South Africa
Airline
Borders
Event
Business
Leisure

easyJet : adds new summer leisure flights from UK

easyJet and easyJet holidays have added seven new routes and more holidays to its UK network for this summer. Four new routes will launch from London Gatwick, easyJet’s largest base. The airline will now serve Pristina in Kosovo for the first time from the UK. The country remains one of the last truly off-the-beaten-path destinations in Europe and customers can now access it via a four-weekly service operating for the first time from May 1st.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Qatar Airways : to return to Gatwick in June

Qatar Airways is to resume flights to London Gatwick Airport from June 5th. The airline will operate a daily service from Gatwick to Doha using a Boeing 787 Dreamliner featuring 22 seats in business class and 232 seats in economy. The resumption of the London Gatwick service complements recently launched flights to Doha from Gatwick by Qatar Airways’ joint business partner British Airways. The partnership means the airlines can jointly offer more options between London and the capital of Qatar.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Emirates :unveils plans for Israel debut in June

Emirates has confirmed that it will be commencing daily services to Tel Aviv from June 23rd. The carrier will operate its three-class Boeing 777-300ER on the route. Adnan Kazim, chief commercial officer, Emirates Airline, said: “We look forward to finally welcoming customers onboard our flights to and from Tel Aviv this summer, and offer them substantial connectivity to and through our Dubai hub as Covid-19 travel restrictions continue to ease around the world and more borders open up.
Middle East
Airline
Business

CANADA: Pre entry testing requirements no longer needed for fully vaccinated travellers

Effective April 1, 2022 at 12:01 AM EDT, fully vaccinated travellers will no longer need to provide a pre-entry COVID-19 test result to enter Canada by air, land or water. Fully vaccinated travellers seeking to arrive in Canada before April 1, 2022, must still have a valid pre-entry test.
Canada
Airline
Borders
Hotel
Business
Leisure

Malaysia Airlines : to relaunch double daily London route

Malaysia Airlines will be increasing its flight capacity by over 70,000 seats on its non-stop flight schedule from London Heathrow to Kuala Lumpur International Airport from March 27th. This will see the national carrier of Malaysia bring back its MH1 and MH3 flights to 11-times-weekly until June 29th. A full return to a double daily service will begin from June 30th onwards. This will significantly increase the volume of flights available for passengers ahead of the eagerly awaited Malaysia border openings on April 1st.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Wizz Air : Abu Dhabi adds new Sri Lanka connection

Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has launched a new route from Abu Dhabi to Mattala, Sri Lanka. Flights to the destination are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The airline introduces a new segment of travel by adding its first destination to south Asia which will allow customers from across the broader Wizz Air network to travel via Abu Dhabi to the exotic destination. Mattala, nestled in pristine natural beauty, enjoys a tropical climate with easy access to neighbouring wildlife.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Singapore Airlines : rebuilds London schedule

With flights returning to pre-pandemic frequency from London, a new partnership and borders reopening, Singapore Airlines (SIA) is seeking to embark on a road to recovery. The carrier will resume its full schedule from London Heathrow (LHR) to Changi Airport from June 2nd. With four daily flights (28 weekly), the new frequency will also encompass Singapore’s Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL).
Middle East
Airline
Business

Qatar Airways : to add Santorini to network in June

Qatar Airways will launch flights to Santorini, Greece, from June 7th. The destination joins Athens and Mykonos to become the third destination to be served in Greece by the national carrier of Qatar. The service will be operated by Airbus A320 featuring 12 seats in business class and 132 seats in economy. The airline will also restart its seasonal flights to Mykonos, Greece, in the same week, with four weekly flights, in addition, Athens will go to a double daily service, offering greater choice for business and leisure passengers alike.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Qatar Airways : adds two new Nigeria connections to network

Qatar Airways has enhanced its presence in Nigeria with the launch of four weekly flights to Kano (KAN). There will also be three weekly flights to Port Harcourt (PHC), both operating via the Nigerian capital, Abuja. Qatar Airways will operate to Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (KAN) in one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, and the gateway to Kano’s rich historical treasures that have survived millennia.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Etihad Airways : launches new summer flights to Nice

Etihad Airways has announced a new European destination this summer with the introduction of flights to the French city of Nice from June 15th. The twice-weekly service will operate on Wednesdays and Sundays between Abu Dhabi and Nice Côte d’Azur Airport on a modern Boeing 787 aircraft, one of the most fuel-efficient aircraft in the world. Situated on the south-eastern coast of France, Nice is renowned for its famous waterfront, with a scenic seven-kilometre walkway known as the ‘Promenade des Anglais’.
Middle East
Airline
Business

Etihad Airways : launches sustainability initiative at Manchester City

Manchester City and Etihad Airways have announced the installation of new plastic recycling pods outside the Etihad Stadium that aim to inspire fans to make conscious choices and join the sustainability journey. As part of the airlines Recycle, Reward, Repeat initiative, the pods - which will in place at the stadium from this weekend’s game - will allow fans to recycle plastic bottles and earn exclusive Etihad rewards. Manchester City has made significant steps on its sustainability journey over a number of years, developing and adopting more environmentally friendly practices.
Middle East
Airline
Business

UAE travel: Emirates, Etihad update entry requirements for passengers from India and Pakistan

Passengers flying from India and Pakistan to UAE now only need to take a PCR test 48 hours prior to departure, according to UAE airlines. Emirates airline on Tuesday updated Dubai entry requirements for passengers from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and several other countries. The carrier said that passengers from these countries who have Dubai as their final destination need to only present a negative COVID‑19 PCR test taken within 48 hours prior to departure. Passengers were previously required to also take a rapid PCR test at airports six hours prior to their departure.
Middle East
Airline
Borders