It was announced that Palace Beach Resort is slated to open by Q2 in 2022 in Fujairah. The resort will feature 167 rooms and suites set by the beachfront featuring contemporary architecture and Arabesque patterns, testament to a city embracing the future while staying true to its heritage. The hotel will be set on prime piece of coastline on the Gulf of Oman, known for its beautiful sands, vibrant sea-life and the serene mountainous environment. A palatial beachfront oasis where contemporary grandeur, natural beauty and Arabian heritage blend between the cityscape and Indian Ocean, where the City meets the Sea. Designed with a majestic sense of style and developed by Eagle Hills, Palace Resort Fujairah is set to become the brand’s ultimate beach getaway guaranteeing an unforgettable stay at their beachfront oasis enjoying outstanding array of world-class facilities and exceptional amenities. Sit back, relax, and unwind on a beach lounger nestled among the pristine sands of the private beach, where the city meets the sea, and every view is one to savour. “Emaar Hospitality Group is setting its sights on the leading destinations within the UAE and this resort will mark its second opening in this Emirate. This is an important milestone in our journey, as we further expand our luxury portfolio with the country to cater to international visitors and residents of the UAE who have grown to know and love our brand.” – Mark Kirby, Head of Emaar Hospitality Group “With its majestic landscape combined with a rich heritage, Fujairah is fast emerging as a tourist haven that lures the most discerning travellers. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience premium luxury at Palace Beach Resort Fujairah.” …

Abu Dhabi Airports and Etihad Guest 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. Francois Bourrienne, Chief Commercial Officer, Abu Dhabi Airports, said: “Abu Dhabi Airports always strives to strengthen ties with strategic partners to provide a remarkable customer experience at our airports. We are pleased to collaborate with Etihad Guest at their home airport and we are committed to introducing innovative solutions that will enhance the passengers’ journey through Abu Dhabi International Airport”. Terry Daly, Executive Director Guest Experience, Brand & Marketing, Etihad Airways, said: “We are continuously enhancing our Etihad Guest loyalty programme for our valued members. The ‘Miles on the Go’ product offers our members a rewarding experience with more options to earn and spend miles. We are delighted to welcome Abu Dhabi International Airport to our award-winning mobile app. “As more passengers pass through Abu Dhabi Airports every day, we look forward to rewarding them as they shop from the wide range of Duty-free outlets or dine at their leisure.” The successful and first-of-its-kind ‘Miles on the Go’ technology was launched in 2020. It has since won multiple …

Wizz Air has launched new exciting travel opportunities from Abu Dhabi to Budapest, Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Vienna, Katowice, Catania and Bari. The airline continues to deliver on its promise of providing affordable, hassle-free and sustainable travel for passengers, making travel possible for everyone and contributing to the recovery of the tourism sector in the UAE. These marvellous destinations provide travel options for passengers from Hungary, Romania, Austria, Poland and Italy to the UAE. Tickets are already on sale on wizzair.com and the airline’s mobile app, available in Arabic, with fares on the convenient schedule starting as low as 289* AED. Wizz Air’s network contributes to the diversification of the travel and tourism sector in the UAE by increasing Abu Dhabi’s connectivity from Vienna (Austria) in the West to Mattala (Sri Lanka) in the East. Robert Carey, President of Wizz Air Group said: “We are delighted to launch new attractive routes to Europe with fantastic ultra-low fares. This is another important milestone for Wizz Air as well as for our passengers in the UAE. Our expanding network out of Abu Dhabi demonstrates our continued commitment to increasing connectivity to the UAE capital and making travel experiences available to people of all ages and backgrounds with safe, efficient, travel awaiting all our customers. We look forward to welcoming you on board our aircraft soon.” Francois Bourienne, Chief Commercial Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports said: “We are excited to further strengthen our strategic partnership with Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. Being the operations base of choice for this growing airline is evidence of the solid value proposition of Abu Dhabi International Airport and the business opportunities it presents to customers. We are equally pleased by …

VFS Global announced the opening hours of the Visa Application Centres (VACs) in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, including extended working hours to provide even greater convenience to visa applicants during the holy month of Ramadan. Countries Dubai Abu Dhabi United Kingdom Monday – Friday 09.00am – 02.00pm   Extended hours: 02.00pm to 06.00pm   Prime Time: 08.00am to 09.00am Monday – Friday 09.00am – 02.00pm   Prime Time: 08.00am to 09.00am All other visa centres (except Saudi)   Monday – Friday 09.00am – 02.00pm   Extended hours: 02.00pm to 05.00pm   Prime Time: 08.00am to 09.00am Monday – Friday 09.00am – 02.00pm   Prime Time: 08.00am to 09.00am   Note: All VACs will remain closed for a prayer break between 12.00 pm to 02.00 pm on Fridays during Ramadan. In addition, VFS Global celebrates UAE Healthcare Heroes by offering an exclusive 50% discount on Premium Lounge services for the month of Ramadan. All frontline healthcare professionals, including doctors, nurses, psychologists, therapists, and pharmacists, with a valid medical ID card travelling to any country that offers Premium Lounge service, can avail of the offer in Dubai or Abu Dhabi centres. VFS Global’s Premium Lounge offers assured personal assistance, quicker completion of the application submission process, and immediate biometric enrolment, all at a spacious and plush facility. Customers who opt for Premium Lounge also receive complimentary photocopying and photo-booth services as per requirements. Automatic updates at each stage of the visa application will also be shared via SMS. As an optional service to customers wanting to complete the entire visa application submission process from the comfort of their home or office, VFS Global continues to provide the “Visa At Your Doorstep” service …

ZOYA Health Resort, the Middle East’s first-of-its-kind five-star wellness retreat, is set to open from April 22nd in the UAE with guests able to experience a wide range of bespoke retreat programs helping to improve their wellbeing and live a healthier lifestyle. Situated within the prime location of Al Zorah and overseeing the stunning golf course and mangroves, the 61-room accommodation ZOYA Health & Wellbeing Resort is owned and founded by Saudi National and experienced entrepreneur Mr Ameer Said, who is committed to providing holistic and unique medical approaches to mind and body rejuvenation through retreat programmes and treatments. ZOYA Health & Wellbeing will be operated by Premedion, a spa consultancy and management company founded in Germany in 2005 as a subsidiary of Deutsche Seereederei GmbH with its registered office in Hamburg. Having managed high-end spas and health centres worldwide in countries including Egypt, Oman, China and Qatar, Premedion will be working in partnership with Mr Ameer Said and his team in operating the first wellness resort of its kind in the UAE. Mr Ameer Said commented on the reason for opening ZOYA Health Resort, “ZOYA Wellbeing was born out of a determination to address the ailments of the modern world, to be preventative rather than curative, to help our guests lead healthier lifestyles without the need for medication and assistance, to create a special space that protects, nourishes and invigorates mind, body and soul.” With the guidance and expertise of medical and health professionals, each retreat programme is customised to the specific needs and lifestyle of every guest with the venue’s experienced doctors, wellness specialists and nutritionists conducting a full assessment before creating a personalised agenda. This assessment includes …

As part of its continuous efforts to expand its network, Kuwait Airways announced the operation of its scheduled commercial flights to the city of Casablanca in Morocco, commencing from 1st June 2022, with two flights per week on Sundays and Wednesdays. In this regard, Kuwait Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Dr. Walid Abillama stated, “We are pleased to announce the launching of one of KAC’s newest destinations, which is to and from Casablanca in Morocco. This destination has always been of immense importance to our customers in their preferences, due to its popular touristic attractions as well as its historic and cultural landmarks.” Dr. Abillama explained, “Kuwait Airways is relentlessly striving to assist its customers and provide them with all means of comfort during their travel on board, starting from providing reservations for customers through all available channels and offering them appropriate services, from the check-in at the Terminal 4 and completing their travel procedures with ease. In addition, Kuwait Airways is fully equipped with a diverse fleet of the latest types of different aircraft, equipped with the best comfortable facilities and services for the benefit of customers.” From her side, the Director of Distribution and Network Planning, Mrs. Shorouk Al-Awadi stated, “Choosing Casablanca as a destination complements the plans developed by Kuwait Airways to expand its network of routes around the world and to new and preferred markets that meet the aspirations and requirements of its customers. The selection of this destination came after extensive and systematic research of the feasibility, effectiveness and profitability of this route to the Company.” Mrs. Al-Awadi concluded her statement saying, “ Kuwait Airways is dedicated to the comfort of its passengers and providing them …

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. Starting from 1st May, 2022 Emirates will operate five weekly flights to Bali, utilising a two-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The airline will also scale up its operations from 1st July, 2022 to serve the island destination with a daily service. With its spectacular mountains, picturesque beaches and cultural appeal, Bali is considered to be a world leading tourist destination. Starting from 1st August, 2022 Emirates will resume flight operations to London Stansted with five weekly flights, utilising Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft fitted with the ‘Game Changer’ First Class product. From 1st September, the airline will increase its services to offer a daily flight. By October 2022, the airline will be serving the UK with 110 weekly flights, including: six times daily to London Heathrow; double daily A380 service to Gatwick; three times daily to Manchester, including a double daily A380 service (starting 1st October, 2022); double daily service to Birmingham; five weekly flights to Newcastle (with the fifth weekly flight starting from 1st July, 2022); and a daily service to Glasgow. Emirates will operate four weekly flights to Buenos Aires via Rio de Janeiro, on its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from 2nd November, 2022 – offering customers from Argentina and Brazil direct connectivity to popular …

Güliz Öztürk, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) of Pegasus Airlines, has been appointed as CEO to succeed Mehmet T. Nane in this role, effective 1 May 2022. Güliz Öztürk will become the first woman CEO in the air transport industry in the history of Turkish civil aviation. Mehmet T. Nane, who has been serving as CEO of Pegasus Airlines since 2016, became a Member of the Board of Directors at its Ordinary Meeting of the General Assembly held on 31 March 2022, and was elected Vice-Chairperson of the Board (Managing Director) following the decision by the Board of Directors. Güliz Öztürk, who has been serving as the company’s CCO since 2010, will succeed Mehmet T. Nane as CEO. Mehmet T. Nane and Güliz Öztürk will officially begin their new roles from 1 May 2022. Mehmet T. Nane said: “I am delighted to be passing the CEO baton, which I received in 2016, to Güliz Öztürk, who has made significant contributions to the growth and development of Pegasus for many years. I wholeheartedly believe that she will continue to wave the flag of Pegasus brightly in the skies. This appointment holds great value and significance also as Güliz Öztürk is to become the first woman CEO of an airline in the history of Turkish civil aviation…”  He continued: “The aviation sector has gone through a very challenging period both domestically and globally due to the pandemic. As part of the framework of my continued role as President of Turkish Private Aviation Enterprises Association (TÖSHİD), and my role as IATA Chair of the Board, which will commence in June, I will fight for the sustainable development of the civil aviation sector; whilst in …

Bedsonline announced a major milestone for its distribution in Egypt after signing an agreement with Blue Sky to become its new General Sales Agent (GSA) in the country. “We are very pleased to start working with Blue Sky in Egypt on this new venture and to benefit from their in-depth market and product knowledge from their 50-year track record,” said Tomeu Gili, Head of MEAI at Hotelbeds, the parent company of Bedsonline. Tomeu also explained how important client support is for the company and how “being able to offer a personalised and easily accessible customer support service to our clients is key for us and we look forward to work hand in hand with Blue Sky to deliver the very best to our clients”. As a result of the agreement, Blue Sky will offer Bedsonline’s local clients: A dedicated helpdesk located in Egypt, in both the local language and English. This will include dedicated local telephone numbers, which will also help to reduce costs for Bedsonline’s clients. A dedicated sales team to visit travel agencies and provide a highly personalised service to clients in Egypt. Egyptian travel agencies that are already working with Bedsonline will continue to book all their accommodation, experiences, transfers and car rental via www.bedsonline.com.

Kuwait Airways Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Maen Razouqi, received the Ambassador of the Sultanate of Oman to the State of Kuwait, H.E. Dr. Saleh bin Amer Al-Kharousi, in the presence of the Company’s Board Member, Mr. Ahmed Al-Ibrahim at the Kuwait Airways headquarters. The two parties discussed methods to enhance joint cooperation and bilateral relations, to develop them in all aspects related to the aviation sector. They also touched on the extent of relations between the State of Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman, and the convergence of views between them in all that is related to public interest and in the benefit of both parties. They also focused on ways to achieve the desired objectives in consolidating and strengthening the level of relations between the two countries. On the sidelines of the visit, the CEO, Maen Razouqi, appreciated the diplomatic efforts of the State of Kuwait and the Sultanate of Oman and in the bilateral relations that bring together the two countries in various political, economic, cultural, and other fields. This in turn contributes to the consolidation and strengthening of relations and their continuity in the long term in a manner that leads to their better development to assist others and achieve the desired ambitions. Razouqi said, “We are honored to receive the Ambassador, Dr. Saleh Al-Kharousi, as this visit comes within the framework of the well-established relations and extended cooperation between the two countries.” Razouqi commenced his discussions with the Ambassador and stated, “Kuwait Airways has recently announced the launching of a number of new destinations, including the city of Salalah in the Sultanate of Oman. The Blue Bird’s first flight to Salalah will operate from 7th of …