Malé was the top dropped destination, followed by Jeddah and Mumbai for UAE travellers, with customers saving an average of £264 (AED 1,228) per trip to Malé. In Saudi Arabia, Cairo, Istanbul, and Baku were the most frequently dropped destinations in March, with travellers saving an average of £142 (SAR697), and some deals offering up to £828 (SAR4064.47) in savings. Dubai and Amman also appeared as top dropped destinations for Saudi-based travellers, reflecting strong intra-Gulf travel demand. Meanwhile, international routes from Saudi Arabia with the highest savings—though less frequent—included Malé (£732, SAR 3,593), Casablanca (£576, SAR 2,627), Kuala Lumpur (£553, SAR 2,714), Washington D.C. (£491, SAR 2,410) and Munich (£415, SAR 2,040). Skyscanner has officially introduced DROPS, its brand-new feature to help travellers in the Middle East find the best deal for their 2025 travels. During its initial pilot phases, Malé was ranked as the number one destination for the biggest average flight cost savings among UAE passengers in January, while Cairo topped the list for Saudi Arabia in March. DROPS is an exclusive app-only feature that uses push notifications to provide relevant, timely and personalised flight drops, giving travellers more reasons to search and book via the app time and time again. Wednesday was the most popular day for DROPS in the UAE, with 38% of early bird deals published before 9:00am**, while in Saudi Arabia, DROPS were released consistently throughout the day, with Monday emerging as the most active day—highlighting the differences in user behaviour and travel planning patterns across both markets. The UAE also remained a highly attractive destination for international travellers. In Germany and India, Dubai ranked second for biggest price drops, with average savings of …

Etihad Airways has welcomed its sixth A350 to its growing fleet. The state-of-the-art aircraft arrived this weekend following a successful delivery flight from Toulouse, France, further strengthening Etihad’s position as one of the airlines with the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleets in the sky. The A350 is a favourite with guests, boasting an unparalleled flying experience with award-winning Business Class, featuring privacy-focused sliding doors, wireless charging, and cutting-edge inflight entertainment systems, while Economy Class offers ergonomic seating, device holders, and Bluetooth connectivity with inflight entertainment. Renowned for its sustainability, the A350 stands out as one of the most efficient wide-body jets, with 25 per cent lower CO2 emissions and a 50 per cent smaller noise footprint compared to earlier-generation aircraft. The long-range of the A350-1000 makes it a versatile aircraft for Etihad’s fleet. This summer, Etihad will begin operating the A350 to Atlanta, its newest and sixth gateway into North America and one of 16 new routes Etihad is launching this year.

Emirates will be introducing its newest Airbus A380s fitted with its latest cabins, including Premium Economy, to Manchester and Milan. The latest retrofitted A380s will operate on EK017/018 to Manchester from 6 June, and on EK091/092 to Milan from 1 July. * With the introduction of Emirates’ newly retrofitted A380 to Manchester, the airline will expand its Premium Economy offering to nearly 5,000 weekly seats in and out of the UK from June. The enhanced service to Manchester complements the four daily retrofitted A380s currently serving the Dubai-London Heathrow route, the Emirates A350 operating to Edinburgh, and the soon-to-launch refurbished Boeing 777 scheduled to serve London Stansted from May. Milan will become Emirates’ second Italian gateway to offer the airline’s latest cabins and Premium Economy seats following the planned deployment of the airline’s A350 to Bologna later in June. These additions will expand Emirates’ network of retrofitted A380 destinations to 19 global points, underscoring the airline’s commitment to investing in the very best customer experience in the sky and adding more premium cabin options and choice across geographies. By July, travellers from Manchester and Milan will be able to experience Emirates’ latest cabin features onboard the four-class A380 on the full journey to key points across Australasia and Asia including Sydney, Singapore, Osaka, Mumbai, Bangalore, and more. On a four-class Emirates A380, the Premium Economy cabin is located at the front of the main deck with 56 seats laid out in a 2-4-2 configuration. Each seat offers generous pitch and width for working and relaxing, as well as customised features like in-seat charging points and a side cocktail table. The onboard experience is rounded off with meticulously selected in-flight amenities, a curated menu, …

Tumodo, an online business travel platform, reported that business travel in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region surged by 50% in Q1 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, marking a significant rebound in corporate mobility. Recent research shows that the business travel market in the MEA region is expected to reach a projected revenue of $270,8 billion by 2030 and a compound annual growth rate of 8.3% from 2025 to 2030. According to Tumodo, this growth reflects the region’s economic resurgence and the increasing demand for seamless corporate travel solutions.

At a recent press briefing on the latest report to be published by WTTC, Julia Simpson – President WTTC shared that the Middle East will be a central focus in this upcoming analyses, with rapid advancements observed throughout the region. She shared, “Dubai, in particular, continues to outperform expectations. Saudi Arabia is a nation to watch, and I look forward to further engagements as we continue our global exploration. Given our recent collaborations there, and considering significant progress in employment, tourism, and infrastructure, the country’s future looks exceptionally promising. Saudi Arabia has launched an ambitious vision, with investments reportedly exceeding $100 billion and a number of pioneering initiatives underway. The country’s young, well-educated population is a driving force behind these transformative changes. I congratulate His Royal Highness the Prince and Minister of Tourism for their outstanding efforts, and commend Saudi Arabia for its strong support of the World Travel and Tourism Council. For instance, when comprehensive sustainability data was needed, the kingdom provided critical funding and expertise.”

Saudi Arabia’s travel and tourism sector continues on an upward trajectory, with the Kingdom welcoming 30 million international visitors in 2024, representing a 9.5 percent increase from the previous year. This impressive growth will be under the spotlight at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM), where Saudi Arabia will present its latest tourism milestones, showcase new projects and highlight its vision to become a premier destination. ATM 2025 will feature several prominent exhibitors from the Kingdom. In addition to the Saudi Tourism Authority, returning exhibitors include SAUDIA, flynas, Qiddiya Investment Company, Sixth Gulf Travel Company, Taiba Investment, Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Fairmont Hotel, Cruise Saudi, and L’azure Hospitality. First-time exhibitors this year include flyadeal, Riyadh Air, Diriyah Company, Aseer, BAAN Holding Group, Makkah Hotel & Towers, Alhussam Tourism, and StayKSA. These exhibitors, along with many others, will be highlighted in a dedicated Saudi Land hall, an expanded version of last year’s ATM Saudi Village, which will be representative of the Saudi Arabian culture, heritage and tourism, while reflecting the upward trajectory of the Kingdom’s travel industry, which has seen Saudi Arabian exhibitor presence increase by 16% this year. Recent research conducted by VIDEC, on behalf of ATM, has highlighted Saudi Arabia’s remarkable status as the largest and fastest-growing economy within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. In 2023, Saudi Arabia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reached an impressive USD 1.1 trillion, translating to a per capita GDP of USD 32,500. This positions the nation as one of the most significant and influential markets in the region.

IndiGo is strengthening its global presence, expanding its international network from India to Fujairah as the fifth destination in UAE. Fujairah, IndiGo’s 41st international destination on its network, further solidifies its presence in the Middle East. The new daily flights from Mumbai and Kannur to Fujairah, with dedicated bus services to & from Dubai and Sharjah, complementing existing routes to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, will unlock new travel options for tourism and trade, catering to both leisure and business travelers. With an extensive domestic network spanning over 90 destinations in India, the airline now offers seamless connections to 132 destinations worldwide. The airline’s expanded footprint in the UAE will enhance regional connectivity, reinforcing its commitment to providing unparalleled travel experiences. The strategically planned flight timings with carefully coordinated bus arrival and departure times offer travellers a hassle-free journey, discovering Dubai’s iconic landmarks, Sharjah’s cultural attractions, or experiencing the best of the UAE. Vinay Malhotra, Head of Global Sales at IndiGo, said, “We are pleased to announce the launch of daily direct flights from Mumbai and Kannur to Fujairah, a hidden gem in the UAE that’s rich in natural beauty and economic potential. As our 41st international destination and fifth in the UAE (we already fly to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah & Sharjah), Fujairah offers a unique blend of mountainous landscapes and a thriving coastline on the Gulf of Oman. With its growing importance in trade, logistics, and tourism, we’re confident that these new flights will further enhance regional connectivity. At IndiGo, we’re committed to providing convenient, affordable, and seamless travel experiences that bring people and businesses closer together.” Fujairah, located along the eastern coast …

The Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hyatt hotels in Dubai to showcase the city to new global audiences. Through innovative marketing initiatives, exclusive events, and tailored visitor experiences, this collaboration aligns with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure. Signed by His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), part of DET, and Fathi Khogaly, Area Vice President for the Hyatt hotels in Dubai, the agreement underscores both parties’ commitment to driving tourism growth and elevating the city’s profile on the world stage. Under the terms of the MoU, the Hyatt hotels in Dubai will actively participate in various DET-led initiatives, including hosting familiarisation (FAM) trips, study programmes, and high-profile events designed to attract international visitors. Additionally, they will support DET’s promotional campaigns, such as flash sales, exhibitions, and roadshows, while receiving reciprocal marketing assistance for upcoming projects such as the launch of the new Grand Hyatt Dubai Waterpark, which is set to open this year. Special emphasis will be placed on leveraging key opinion leaders (KOLs) and creating engaging content to amplify reach and impact. His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM), said: “This collaboration with Hyatt Hotels Dubai aligns with the aspirations of our visionary leadership to position Dubai as the best city to visit, live and work in. Driving forward the ambitious D33 Agenda, with the support of all stakeholders and partners, it is also a testament to our shared vision of diversifying and …

Qatar Airways will be launching three additional flights to Manchester, UK, from 4 June 2025, to support increasing demand for the airline ahead of the summer season. The route will be served by carrier’s state-of-the-art fleet of Airbus A350-1000s and Boeing 787-9s. The Best Airline in the World, as voted by Skytrax in 2024, began its operations in the northern England city in 2003. Manchester remains an integral city in Qatar Airways’ network of more than 170 destinations, served via the World’s Best Airport and Airport Shopping, Hamad International Airport, as voted by Skytrax. Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Thierry Antinori, said: “Qatar Airways’ increase in flights to Manchester comes as part of enhancing connectivity from all over the world to the “Capital of the North”. Global passengers will soon have greater choice and comfort when traveling to Manchester with Qatar Airways through our award-winning hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH) – voted World’s Best Airport and World’s Best Airport Shopping by Skytrax in 2024. “With these incremental flights to Manchester, we are also proud to facilitate connectivity and capacity between UK and Australia – two significant markets for global travel.” Manchester, a city studded with red-brick Victorian architecture, is not only home to the world-famous football teams, but is also the backdrop of historic industrial movements, genre-defining musical bands, and inspiring art scenes. Qatar Airways flights to Manchester (MAN) The flights will depart every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday: • Doha (DOH) to Manchester (MAN) – Flight QR25: Departure 02:40; Arrival 08:00 • Manchester (MAN) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR26: Departure 09:30; Arrival 18:20 Qatar Airways, a benchmark for excellence in the industry, remains a prominent leader in global connectivity. …

Amadeus announced a significant expansion of its collaboration with Omeir Travel Agency, aimed at fostering growth through productivity and advancing seamless travel solutions. The collaboration underscores both companies’ commitment to providing smart, personalized travel experiences, transforming how we travel over the next few years. With this renewed partnership, Omeir Travel Agency leverages Amadeus’ cutting-edge travel technology solutions to enhance its service offerings significantly for travelers’ convenience and engagement. The partnership will see the implementation of the New Distribution Capability (NDC) aggregator solution that provides Omeir with access to richer airline content and personalized booking options, as well as an easy comparison of offers and streamlined booking process across different providers. As part of the expanded agreement, Omeir will now access hotel content through Amadeus Value Hotels — a net rate program available via Amadeus Hotels API, designed to support competitive pricing and flexible travel offerings. Amadeus also supplies Omeir Travel with crucial data analytics capabilities through Agency Insight Productivity Tracker, providing the agency with access to valuable and actionable insights, empowering them in the decision-making processes. Ernesto Sánchez Beaumont, Managing Director of Amadeus Gulf, shared his enthusiasm about the partnership. “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with Omeir Travel Agency, a distinguished leader in the UAE’s travel sector. This partnership is a testament to our shared vision of transforming travel through innovative technology, ensuring that we continue to meet the demands of modern travelers.” Abdulla Bin Omeir, CEO at Omeir Travel Agency, emphasized the significance of the partnership, stating, “The extension of our partnership with Amadeus marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards delivering exceptional travel experiences. By harnessing Amadeus’ innovative technology, we are set to redefine what …