Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) flights between Baku and Dubai are receiving a full revamp. Due to an increase in passenger travel demand between Dubai and Baku, and to satisfy high level service needs, Azerbaijan Airlines has opted to operate their advanced fleet for the booming route. The Baku based airline operates daily flights to Dubai, which will now be serviced by their more advanced wide body Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and Boeing 767-300/300ER aircraft; resulting in a significant upgrade in both seating numbers and inflight services compared to the narrow body aircraft which was previously operating the route. The Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner has a capacity of approximately 210 passengers in three cabin classes, and the Boeing 767-300/300ER has a capacity of 198 passengers. Daily flights from Dubai to Baku will depart at 13:10 and arrive at 16:10 in Baku. Daily flights from Baku to Dubai will depart at 09:00 and arrive at 11:55 in Dubai. Dubai is one of the most popular destinations in the Azerbaijan Airlines route network, with thousands of tourists from Azerbaijan visiting Dubai and the UAE annually. The use of these wide body aircrafts in this market is due to the emerging importance of the Dubai and UAE market for Azerbaijan not only as a holiday destination, but also as a transit route for tourists from around the Gulf States using Dubai as a transit hub to then visit Azerbaijan, as well as Baku as a transit hub for traveling to Europe and the countries of the region. UAE residents enjoy a one-month visa on arrival when visiting Azerbaijan, which has been a major factor in attracting an increasing number of visitors from the UAE. “The demand for …

Air Arabia announced the addition of fourteen shuttle flights daily from Sharjah International Airport to Hamad International Airport in Doha, Qatar starting from November 21, 2022 until December 18, 2022. The shuttle flights are only eligible for ticket holders of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and will operate alongside Air Arabia’s three daily scheduled flights to Doha. Passengers on board the shuttle flights will be entitled to 10Kg of hand baggage each. FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 ticket holders must register for a Hayya card through their official website in order to be able to enter Qatar, access the stadiums as well as get free transportation to and from the stadiums using the Doha metro directly from Hamad International Airport. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, commented: “We are pleased to announce Air Arabia’s shuttle flights between Sharjah and Doha during the FIFA World Cup 2022, which will provide fans with easy, reliable, and timely access in and out of Doha to enjoy the matches and return right after.” Air Arabia urges all travelers to plan their trips cautiously, taking into account arriving in Doha at least four hours before the match, and departing four hours after. FIFA World Cup ticket holders can now book the high-frequency November shuttle flights between Sharjah and Doha by visiting Air Arabia’s website, by calling the call centre or through travel agencies. Other customers can continue to benefit from the current and ongoing three daily flights between Sharjah and Doha.

Sabre Corporation  and Wingie Enuygun Group announced a renewal of their multiyear GDS agreement to help drive international growth. Wingie Enuygun has been working with Sabre for more than seven years, delivering on its vision to help today’s traveler to save time and money. Under the renewal agreement, Wingie Enuygun will be using Sabre Red 360 to deliver highly personalized offers for its customers, by deploying intelligent and consultative services and features on the wingie.com, wingie.ae, sa.wingie.com and enuygun.com domains. “We are excited to extend our longstanding relationship with Wingie Enuygun,” said Altug Bekdemir, General Manager, Sabre Turkey. “The online sector is at the forefront of travel’s recovery, so there is a huge opportunity for Wingie Enuygun to position itself for growth.  Wingie Enuygun’s decision to extend its partnership with Sabre will enable the company to tap into increased traveler demand through this time of ‘ revenge travel’ and beyond.” MENA’s leading travel marketplace Wingie Enuygun will use Sabre’s marketplace of more than 400 airlines, 750,000 hotel properties, and hundreds of tour operators, rail, car rental and cruise providers, to sell customized travel packages from suppliers around the world. “We have a great relationship with Sabre, based on many years of mutual trust. By renewing our contract with Sabre and updating our performance through Sabre’s advanced technologies, we aim to provide the seamless, quality service that our millions of users seek, thereby improving their travel experience,” said Wingie Enuygun CEO and founder, Çağlar Erol.

As part of its efforts in redefining the leisure and travel landscape of Sharjah and the region with an exciting expansion of portfolio offerings, Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), has revealed details of its upcoming integrated large-scale development project in the Eastern enclave of Khorfakkan comprising a 5-star hotel, the first waterpark in the Eastern region, and more than 200 residential units. Scheduled for completion in 2024, the luxury 5-star hospitality project, operating under the Autograph Collection by Marriott International and built on 38,000 sqm opposite the Khorfakkan port, will feature 75 deluxe units, pools, restaurants, and a ballroom for special occasions. The proposed rooms include 62 single rooms, 5 double rooms, and 8 luxury suites offering stunning views of the Arabian Sea and offers unparalleled luxury for visitors to the tranquil eastern enclave. Ahmed Obaid Al Qaseer, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Sharjah Investment and Development Authority (Shurooq), revealed details of the project currently under development, during a phone call to (Al Khat Al Mubasher) radio show on Wednesday (June 22). The expansive project will also see the development of the first waterpark in the Eastern region of the emirate and caters to the ever-growing demand for tourism and leisure experiences in the East Coast. Ahmed Al Qaseer pointed out that the project would also include more than 200 residential units which will be serviced by retail stores, restaurants and a host of other outlets on the ground level, adding that off-plan sales would commence with the announcement of a detailed overview of the project in the third quarter of the current year. The Acting CEO noted that the project will be completed in 2024. Shurooq’s new project …

dnata Travel reveals that Thailand is the most popular destination for UAE travellers for summer holidays in 2022. Experts at the UAE-based travel brand are recording a 185% increase in the total number of travel bookings made for summer 2022 so far compared to the same time period in 2021. A total 64% of hotel bookings are for international properties, while 34% represent UAE staycations across the country. The top ten destinations for UAE travellers to book a holiday package, including flights and hotels, with dnata Travel at the time of publishing, are: Thailand, Maldives, Turkey, Mauritius, UK, Indonesia, Italy, USA, Spain and France, respectively. Flight-only leisure travel bookings are also proving popular to visit friends and relatives, with top destinations including India, Egypt, Philippines, Turkey, and the UK, most concentrated during the time of the anticipated Eid al-Adha break in July. Meerah Ketait, Head of Retail and Leisure UAE at dnata Travel, commented: “The top five holiday destinations for UAE travellers in 2022 have typically made up our top locations for international travel bookings pre-pandemic. With more locations opening up to travellers this year and with eased restrictions, we have witnessed our 2021 summer holiday hotspots the Maldives and Turkey joined once again by ever-popular destinations Thailand, Mauritius and the UK. “Thailand has risen quickly to become the top-choice international holiday destination for UAE travellers in summer 2022 since it reopened for tourism. Alongside the world-class resorts, experiences, food and abundance of natural attractions that the country has to offer, cost-effective holiday offers across its cities and islands are extremely popular.” The top locations of choice for UAE travellers to Thailand this summer with dnata Travel are Bangkok, Phuket …

Dubai Airports has issued a passenger advisory alerting travellers about Dubai International (DXB) getting exceptionally busy over the next two weeks as a result of schools breaking for summer and the Eid Al Adha holidays. According to the operator, some 2.4 million passengers are expected to pass through DXB between June 24 and July 4, with average daily traffic reaching 214,000 passengers. July 2nd is expected to be the busiest day with daily traffic exceeding 235,000 passengers. Similar passenger numbers are anticipated at the airport over the Eid Al Adha weekend of July 8 and 9. While Dubai Airports is working closely with airlines, control authorities, and commercial and service partners to ensure a smooth airport experience for passengers from kerb to boarding gates, the operator has urged travellers to follow a few simple tips to beat the holiday rush. Be aware of the latest travel regulations for the destination you are travelling to and ensure that you have all the necessary documents with the required validity before reaching the airport. For those travelling with families, children over the age of 12 can use Smart Gates to speed up the passport control process. If you are flying out of Terminal 1, arrive at the airport no earlier than 3 hours before your departure. Use online check in wherever available to save time. Those travelling from Terminal 3 can use Emirate’s convenient early and self-service check-in facilities. Weighing luggage at home, checking documents in advance, and being prepared for security checks can save a lot of time at the airport. Use Dubai Metro to get to and from the airport. Metro operating times are extended during Eid holidays. Friends and families …

Wizz Air is launching exciting new routes from Dammam, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, to Rome, Vienna and Abu Dhabi. The Abu Dhabi route will be operated by Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, Wizz Air’s joint venture airline with ADQ. Launching in September 2022, the new destinations are the first step towards a growing presence in KSA which will provide for the first time truly affordable, hassle-free, point to point travel for tourists and residents in the Kingdom, Europe and the UAE, strengthening global connectivity. The new routes by Wizz Air introduce a new era of travel to the Residents of KSA by unlocking affordable travel opportunities and giving them access to WIZZ’s incredibly low fares. Tickets for all routes are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, with fares starting from 24.99€.* Last month Wizz Air signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Investment for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia supported by the Saudi National Air Connectivity Programme (a Ministry of Tourism initiative) to support the development of the Saudi Tourism Sector. The MoU reflects a shared vision between the parties on the potential Wizz Air could bring to the Kingdom to stimulate tourist demand, thereby making a significant contribution to Saudi Arabia’s planned growth. The new destinations support the growing Saudi Arabian tourism sector, aligning with the Vision 2030 programme, a strategic and ambitious vision to triple passenger traffic in the Kingdom by 2030. The ultra-low-cost routes will boost the burgeoning tourism industry and significantly increase connectivity for residents in Europe and the region, with key strategic government partners collaborating to add to the Saudi aviation ecosystem. Robert Carey, President of Wizz Air, …

Alpago Properties announced the completion and release of its signature villa Riva Del Lusso. Located on Frond G of the iconic Palm Jumeirah, Alpago is set to shape the Billionaires’ Row with the completion of the company’s newest signature villa. Two of the most prestigious neighbourhoods in the world, each known as ‘Billionaire’s Row’, are located on Manhattan’s 57th Street and on The Bishops Avenue in London. The ultra-exclusive Billionaire’s Row of Palm Jumeirah is currently home to 13 signature villas and is dominated by Alpago Properties who have started developing 6 of these breathtaking masterpieces. With prices ranging from AED120 to 300 million, these properties are the most unique and unparalleled villas on the market and are sure to firmly position Dubai on the global map of unrivalled elegance.   Murat Ayyildiz, Chairman Of Alpago Group, commented on the newest development “In the last number of years, the Dubai high-end residential segment has been marching ahead with spectacular growth. Being the playground of the world’s wealthiest individuals, ultra-luxurious residences are more important now than ever. These incredible signature villas offer stylish residential properties with world-class amenities, specially designed to accommodate the flawless Dubai lifestyle. We are proud to be at the forefront of establishing Dubai’s Middle East’s ‘billionaires’ row’ in Palm Jumeirah’s Frond G”   The vision of the company is to always set new global benchmarks within the ultra-high-end real estate segment and Riva Del Lusso is at the pinnacle of this. This architectural masterpiece is a 10,000 sq. ft beachfront signature villa located on the illustrious Frond G of Palm Jumeirah. Featuring 5 bedrooms, 7 bathrooms, private beach access, a private swimming pool, and spacious private basement …

flydubai is preparing for a record-breaking summer, building on the momentum from the tremendous performance in the first quarter of 2022 and the surge in demand for travel. The carrier is gearing up to welcome three million passengers over the busiest summer in the airline’s history. Over the summer period, an average of 8,500 departures per month are scheduled across flydubai’s network of 102 destinations, which exceeds pre-pandemic levels. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “while the global aviation sector has been slowly recovering from the repercussions of the pandemic, we have seen Dubai steadfast in its approach to enable the return to free flows of trade and tourism. The decisions made early on in the pandemic have enabled us to ramp up our operations to cater to the pent-up demand in record time. This would not have been possible without the hard work of our people, the collaborative approach taken by the key stakeholders in the UAE and the confidence our passengers have in our operations.” “Our agility and preparedness, strong business model and the scheduled aircraft deliveries this year, will see that we are well placed to overcome the challenges through which we as an industry continue to navigate. We look forward to an exceptional summer of connecting people, opening up underserved markets and providing our customers with more options to travel,” added Al Ghaith. Returning to a single hub operation flydubai’s flights to more than 30 destinations, which were temporarily operating out of Dubai World Central (DWC), return to operate from Dubai International (DXB) from 23 June. This follows the successful completion of the 45-day period Northern Runway Rehabilitation programme at DXB. Between 09 …

Etihad Airways is inviting guests for an unforgettable stopover in Abu Dhabi with three different offers that suit all tastes and budgets. With the relaunch of Etihad Stopovers, travellers can benefit from 40% discounted prices at one of Abu Dhabi’s premium four-star and five-star hotels participating in this campaign, or from a one or two-nights complimentary stay in a three or four-star participating hotel*. The third new option is Transit Connect, where the guests on eligible routes can book a complimentary hotel near Abu Dhabi International Airport if their flight connection time in Abu Dhabi is between 10 and 24 hours*. Martin Drew, Senior Vice President Global Sales, Etihad Airways, said: “With the removal of the majority of travel restrictions, more people are travelling for the summer break. The Etihad Stopover has always been extremely popular, especially for guests looking to break up ultra-long haul travel with a couple of days enjoying the wonders of Abu Dhabi.” He added: “Our new offers enhance that proposition even further, allowing guests to discover our beautiful Emirate with all of its diverse attractions. There’s something for everyone, from Louvre Abu Dhabi to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, or Yas Island, home of the Formula 1 track, Warner Brothers amusement park and CLYMB, the region’s tallest indoor climbing wall. Not to mention the newly established cycling courses in Al Hudayriyat Island and beautiful golf courses spread across the Emirate. Abu Dhabi is inviting for a wide range of our guests, and we want them to make unforgettable memories.” Abu Dhabi is a vibrant and diverse city offering visitors the chance to explore cultural highlights, impressive architecture, world-class theme parks as well as striking beaches …