Travel demand returns and so does luggage woes GettyImages-1297964713

Passport, money, bag-tags? Why luggage woes are back

Luggage can go astray for any number of reasons, from airport Wifi signals to snafus on transfers between airlines and passengers are arming themselves with technology to keep track

Umrah season

Saudi Arabia announces start of new Umrah season for GCC citizens, residents

The kingdom’s Ministry of Hajj has launched an electronic application process to facilitate travel for the upcoming Umrah season

Emirates unveils on-demand charter service

UAE, GCC travellers can now book charter flights with Emirates

The service allows customers to fly to several GCC destinations both within and outside of the carrier’s network

UAE citizens can enjoy visa-free travel to Azerbaijan Image credit Ayhan Altun_GettyImages-993085120

UAE nationals can now enjoy visa-free travel to Azerbaijan

The agreement, enabling visa-free travel for UAE, Azerbaijani citizens between both countries, allows stays of up to 90 days

Handy gadgets travel

5 handy gadgets that will make your summer travels more fun

With a little planning, you can have everything you need to make the most of your summer vacation

Dubai Airport peak travel dates

Travel with kids: 20 ways to do it hassle-free

As airports and airlines across the UAE service a record number of passengers, travel experts suggest tips and tricks to help you organise your travel

Hajj season 2023 electronic visa

Saudi Ministry of Hajj starts issuing e-visas for Umrah

The electronic visa process is part of the country’s efforts to facilitate travel and enable more Muslims to perform Umrah rituals

TITAN

Titanic sub search calls in lifting gear in race against time

As equipment and more vessels race to the search area, the hunt for Titan has zeroed in on unidentified noises detected underwater

Titan submersible by OceanGate

What it’s like on board the missing Titanic submersible

Extensive rescue operations are currently underway, with the Titan’s air supply thought to last a little under 40 hours

Dubai International Airport to see 252,000 dail pax during summer peal season Image Dubai Airports

Travelling during Eid Al-Adha holidays? Follow these guidelines from Dubai Airports

Dubai International Airport will welcome an estimated 3.5 million guests through its doors between June 20 and July 3, with average total daily traffic reaching 252,000

Looking at Titanic wreckage

Titanic-wreck tour submersible charging $250,000 a guest has gone missing

OceanGate offers 10-day expeditions to the Titanic site providing the opportunity to join as mission specialists

Uber and Saudi railway deal

Saudi railways integrates Uber’s reserve product on rail platform

The service allows passengers to pre-book up to four reserve rides to and from seven train stations across six cities

Rome (Image: Supplied by Etihad Airways)

Etihad to increase frequency of flights to Rome

The airline will raise the number of weekly services it operates between Abu Dhabi and the Italian capital from seven to 11

Emirates A380

Emirates to offer premium economy seats in its A380 on Mumbai, Bengaluru routes

The airline currently services nine destinations across India

discount

This airline is offering 20% discount on tickets for a limited period

All guests booking their tickets between June 12 and 14 can enjoy the discount to different destinations across the airline’s network

Etihad Airways Sale

Get discounted tickets to Europe, US; Etihad Airways summer sale is now on

Guests can enjoy discounted fares in both Economy and Business class from Abu Dhabi to select destinations across Etihad’s network

GCC citizens to gain access to UK for GBP 10 under ETA scheme GettyImages-1297964713

UK travel: GCC, Jordan nationals to pay GBP10 for multiple visits under new ETA scheme

Citizens of GCC countries currently pay GBP30 per visit to the UK under the current electronic visa wavier scheme while Jordanian nationals pay GBP100 for a visit visa

Air Baltic, the flag carrier of Latvia (Image: Sourced from Press Gallery on Air Baltic website)

Air Baltic opens bookings for Dubai-Vilnius flights

From November 1, the airline will operate twice weekly services between the two destinations as part of its winter schedule

The aircraft, 9H-FIVE, pronounced Nine-Hotel FIVE, will be based in Dubai (Image: Supplied by FIVE Hotels and Resorts)

Dubai’s FIVE Hotels introduces private jet charter service

The ACJ TwoTwenty aircraft, 9H-FIVE, will be based in Dubai and has an approximate flying range of 12 hours

Emirates inflight Wi-Fi in Premium Economy Class

Emirates: All passengers can now avail of free Wi-Fi onboard

The airline said all Emirates Skywards members in every class of travel can now enjoy some form of free Wi-Fi connectivity

Hamad International Airport

Qatar’s Hamad International Airport reports 44.5% spike in passenger traffic in Q1 2023

The airport handled over 540,000 tonnes of cargo and moved over eight million bags through its facility, including over five million pieces of transfer baggage

Emirates check-in robot

Emirates unveils new ‘city check-in and travel store’ in DIFC

The new facility is a stylish and spacious contemporary space that is aimed at ensuring a hassle-free check-in experience for passengers

Travel

Global travel and tourism sector to reach $9.5tn in 2023: WTTC

The global tourism body also forecasts that the sector will recover to 95 per cent of the 2019 job level

Kamikochi, Nagano Prefecture (Image: Supplied by Aviareps on behalf of JNTO)

All UAE residents can now apply for eVisas for Japan

New visa application rules have also been announced for Saudi nationals and residents in Saudi Arabia, as well as citizens of Qatar

Emirates

Dubai’s Emirates adds 38 additional flights to 6 cities ahead of Eid Al Fitr

This year, more than 110,000 travellers are expected to board Emirates flights during Eid across the region

affordable luxury

Top 12 getaways for Eid this year

With Eid just around the corner, many people in the UAE are already planning their vacations to celebrate the occasion with their loved ones

Sri Lankan carrier FitsAir has ramped up its services from the capital city of Colombo to Dubai. (Image: Supplied by Dubai Airports)

FitsAir raises frequency on Colombo-Dubai route

Using its Airbus 320 aircraft, it has increased operations to a daily service between the two destinations

emirates and philippine airlines announce interline agreement Image Emirates Media Centre

Emirates, Philippine Airlines codeshare offers travellers access to these destinations

With the new agreement, Emirates now has interline partnerships with 120 air carriers

dxb smart gates

Smart gates make DXB airport journey easier; scanning documents no longer needed

If you’re registered for the smart gates, you can pass through by simply looking at the green light, with no need to scan a document

Qatar

Qatar launches first commercial charter flight to and from Kazakhstan

The nation has identified Kazakhstan as one of 15 target markets where tourists can relax, rejuvenate and enjoy Qatar’s vibrant culture