Emirates and Garuda Indonesia have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a codeshare partnership between both airlines. The new partnership allows customers of the world’s largest international airline, based in Dubai, and the flag carrier of Indonesia to enjoy seamless connectivity on new routes across the Americas, Middle East, Africa and Europe. In addition to expanding the breadth of each airline’s networks, with travel made possible on a single ticket, Emirates and Garuda Indonesia will also explore opportunities to cooperate on their respective frequent flyer programmes, to enable customers of both airlines to earn and redeem loyalty points for reward tickets, upgrades and other exclusive benefits. Subject to required regulatory approvals, the codeshare agreement is expected to come into effect from January 2022, with customer benefits to include seamless booking, ticketing, one baggage policy and check-through to the final destination in addition to travel benefits across 18 routes on both airlines’ networks. Adnan Kazim, Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates said: “We are pleased to forge a codeshare partnership with Garuda Indonesia to provide our customers with access to additional destinations in Indonesia and which also allows them to enjoy seamless and convenient connectivity to eight domestic destinations to and from Dubai and to our global network through Jakarta, and three destinations through Denpasar. Indonesia is an important market for Emirates and our partnership with Garuda Indonesia is testament to Emirates’ commitment to continuously strengthen our network, and complement our offering. Through the expanded, combined network of both airlines, we are able to offer our customers a more seamless experience through check-in, bag check and boarding on every leg of their journey, all with a single ticket. We look forward …

Oman Air has launched a suite of new services for passengers arriving and departing Muscat International Airport. Available for purchase, the add-ons are part of the airline’s commitment to offer more choice of services and convenience to Oman Air passengers while at the airport, regardless of ticket class. “As a premium airline with a long list of award-winning products and services, easing the airport journey was the natural next step in providing more flexibility and convenience for our guests,” said Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi. “Enhanced add-ons are a great way for our guests to sample different services and discover those that best suit their travel needs—whether an expedited check-in, premium lounge experience, or dedicated fast track lane through passport control and security.” The new services are operated by TAV OS and are currently available for purchase online at omanair.com Primeclass Meet & Greet Arrival When arriving to Muscat International Airport, Meet & Greet Arrivals provides a quick, easy and expedient airport check-out. Passengers are greeted at their arrival gate and escorted through fast track passport control and customs to the main arrivals area. Service also includes buggy transfer to the Primeclass Lounge for light refreshments, dedicated porter at baggage carousels, and personal escort to ground transportation or pick-up point.   Primeclass Meet & Greet Departure When departing Muscat International Airport, Meet & Greet Departures offers expedited check-in at Departures Gate A (First and Business Class Gate) followed by fast track escort through immigration and security and through the airport to flight boarding gate. Service also includes dedicated curbside assistance, complimentary 3-hour access to the Primeclass Lounge, buggy transfer, and personal porter to assist with bags. …

The flight to Moscow will operate daily services, four times a week on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday (in December 2021 and January2022), ramping up to seven days a week in February. Tickets are on sale on wizzair.com and WIZZ mobile app with fares starting as low as 49.99 EUR *. The UAE has long been a popular travel destination for those in Russia, and vice versa. The Moscow route brings Wizz Air Abu Dhabi to a total of 33 announced flight destinations, since it launched operations in January 2021. The airline has been going from strength to strength after travel restrictions in and out of the UAE’s capital were eased in September 2021. This latest route addition connects Abu Dhabi International Airport to Moscow and provides affordable travel opportunities for both business and leisure travellers between the UAE and Russia. This new service allows travellers to experience each of the capitals’ rich cultures and history with a convenient WIZZ flight schedule Speaking at the Wings of the Future conference in Moscow today, József Váradi, Group Chief Executive Officer of Wizz Air said: “Today’s announcement underlines our commitment to bringing a growing number of low-fare opportunities for Russian travellers, and importantly, Wizz Air’s long-term strategic interest in the Russian market. With this new route, we are looking forward to opening up a Middle Eastern gem to Russian travellers, while allowing them to experience our high-quality on the young and sustainable fleet of our newest national airline, Wizz Air Abu Dhabi. It is with excitement and great pleasure that I welcome passengers on board this new route.” Dmitry Saprykin, Director General of Vnukovo International Airport JSC, said “On behalf of Vnukovo …

Hyatt announced that a Hyatt affiliate has entered into a management agreement with The Red Sea Development Company for a 430-room Grand Hyatt hotel on Shaura Island, the hub of the ambitious Red Sea Project on Saudi Arabia’s west coast. The luxury resort hotel will represent the largest of 11 hotels set to open on the island and will occupy a prime position within this innovative tourist development. Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will be the second Grand Hyatt hotel in the Kingdom and the seventh Grand Hyatt hotel in the Middle East, marking an important milestone in Hyatt’s growth strategy in the region. Slated to open as part of phase one of the Red Sea Project, the property will be designed to reflect the bold and vibrant luxury synonymous with the Grand Hyatt brand, featuring sophisticated design, materials and decor inspired by the iconic elements present in the destination. Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will feature a striking architectural “coral bloom” design, a unique concept that resembles a bloom of coral in the sea from above, that will offer a sense of luxury that blends seamlessly with the natural environment. A tasteful mix of suites and large standard rooms will provide guests with a comfortable and upscale place from which to explore the area’s diverse ecosystem and endless attractions. World-class food and beverage venues and the wider amenities of the hub island, which will include a marina and an 18-hole championship golf course, will complete the luxury hotel experience within a breathtaking setting. Located in close proximity to the soon to be developed Red Sea International Airport, Grand Hyatt The Red Sea will be easily accessible from both international …

Global travel management company FCM is inviting corporate travel managers to experience a preview of its new proprietary platform. Developed in response to a rapidly evolving business travel landscape, this latest initiative reflects the company’s accelerated investment in next-generation technology to address the future requirements of a multi-national customer base that stretches over 100 countries. Following a successful and productive testing phase, demos are now being offered to prospective clients. “As the world has changed, so have the challenges our clients face too. With geographically dispersed operations and a remote workforce the new norm, our travel management solution has been purposely designed for the digitally savvy workforce, offering a powerful suite of digital tools and dashboards that puts travel managers, arrangers, and travellers firmly in control,” said Marcus Eklund, FCM’s Managing Director. “We are excited to offer the global business travel community a first-look of our proprietary platform while introducing a few of its many innovative features.” Over the past 24 months, FCM worked with a representative cross-section of clients from different sectors and varying sizes and budgets, garnering feedback to help shape the new travel platform. This has resulted in a slick user experience delivering global consistency where needed, while offering a superior level of choice and flexibility that is built around their individual needs. “While it was important that we identified and addressed current pain points, it was even more critical that we future-proofed our offerings by anticipating and delivering the most adaptable business travel technology in the market. It has truly been a collaborative effort,” added Eklund.  FCM is keeping specific details around the full capabilities of the new omni-channel platform under wraps; however, those signing up …

The fourth edition of the Arabian Travel Awards will take place on 21st November 2021 at Le Meridien Hotel and conference center in Garhoud. This year is special as they prepare to applaud the heroes of the industry of travel, tourism and hospitality. It will be a night of celebration for all those who strived under the pandemic to not just keep their heads above water but to make a difference in the new normal. Recovery of the industry is foremost in the Middle East region, hence the pent up demand and the traveler sentiments have changed vastly over the past almost two years. This years’ awards are special as it has been a rollercoaster journey which had some of the most daring and extreme risk circumstances. Mentally to keep people motivated to stay in environments where it may not be all that conducive due to various factors which gave a new face to the industry. The whole industry had to unlearn certain factors and relearn, rethink and restrategise the way forward. San Jeet Director Arabian Travel Awards shares, “Arabian Travel Awards this year will hold a special place for each individual and company that will carry one home with them as it is a momentum of their hardships and challenges which led them to overcome to the best of their ability. Applications are still open to vote for those in the industry and who has been in the forefront promoting and proactively working during the pandemic and beyond as of today. Currently, borders  are slowly and steadily opening and there is a demand from travelers, those who did not travel before covid are now willing to travel, those who …

Emirates announced that it will reintroduce flights to Algiers, Algeria from 9 November. Flights from Dubai to Algiers will operate twice a week. The resumption of flights to Algiers boosts Emirates’ African network to 21 destinations, and represents a full restoration of the airline’s operations into North Africa. With the easing of travel restrictions, and the acceleration of passenger demand, the airline is advancing its plans to expand its presence across Africa, and will operate 116 weekly flights into the continent with the addition of Algiers. Customers flying to and from Algiers can safely fly to Dubai and enjoy convenient onwards connections to Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and West Asia. Emirates will operate to Algiers with two weekly flights on Tuesdays and Thursdays and the return flight to Dubai will be linked with Tunis. EK 757 will depart Dubai at 0930hrs, arriving in Algiers at 1400hrs. EK 758 will depart Algiers at 1700hrs, stopping in Tunis at 1820hrs. The flight will continue to Dubai, taking off at 1920hrs from Tunis, arriving in Dubai at 0355hrs the next day. Tickets can be booked on emirates.com, the Emirates App, Emirates sales offices, via travel agents as well as online travel agents. Flexibility and Assurance: Emirates continues to lead the industry with innovative products and services and recently took its customer care initiatives further with even more generous and flexible booking policies, which have been extended to 31 May 2022. It has also extended its multi-risk insurance cover, and is helping loyal customers retain their miles and tier status. Dubai and Expo 2020: Since it safely resumed tourism activity in July, Dubai remains one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations, …

Oman Air and Qatar Airways have signed a reciprocal loyalty partnership where members of Oman Air Sindbad and Qatar Airways Privilege Club can earn loyalty miles for travel on both airlines between Muscat and Doha exclusively, in either direction. With this partnership Sindbad members can earn Sindbad miles on Qatar Airways flights on the sector; reciprocally, Privilege Club members can earn Qmiles on Oman Air flights. Members of both loyalty programs will be able to redeem their miles for flights on either airline between the two cities. “The strong relationship between Oman Air and Qatar Airways offers a world of exciting travel possibilities and we’re delighted that our Sindbad members can now earn and redeem Sindbad miles for travel on Qatar Airways between Muscat and Doha,” said Oman Air CEO Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi. “We’re equally delighted to welcome Qatar Airways Privilege Club members on board Oman Air flights on the popular sector, where they can earn and spend Qmiles.” Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive His Excellency Mr. Akbar Al Baker stated, “Qatar Airways is delighted to launch this new partnership with Oman Air, offering valued members flying between Qatar and Oman significant opportunities to earn and spend miles across both airlines. This new loyalty partnership cements our dedication to the Sultanate of Oman, and we will remain committed towards creating more unique opportunities to reward our members, in addition to offering various avenues to use Qmiles with our airline partners”. The reciprocal loyalty program partnership follows the strengthening of the relationship between both airlines and builds on the benefits of expanded code-sharing. In December last year, Oman Air and Qatar Airways announced greater cooperation that would allow both airlines …

Emirates announced it will launch a daily non-stop flight between Dubai and Tel Aviv, Israel, starting 6 December. The move comes as the UAE and Israel continue to develop greater economic cooperation to drive growth across a range of sectors, in addition to boosting trade flows between both nations. With the new daily flights, Israeli travellers will be able to connect safely, seamlessly and efficiently to Dubai, and through Dubai to Emirates’ global route network of over 120 destinations. The flight timings to/from Tel Aviv will offer travellers convenient access to major leisure destinations beyond Dubai like Thailand, the Indian Ocean Islands and South Africa, among others. Furthermore, the new flights introduce convenient inbound connections to Tel Aviv from close to 30 Emirates gateways across Australia, the United States, Brazil, Mexico, India and South Africa, all home to some of the largest Jewish communities in the world. Travellers from the United States looking to stop in Dubai before embarking on their onwards journey to Tel Aviv can avail the Dubai Stop Over package, which includes stays at world-class hotels, sightseeing, and other activities.   Dubai also continues to attract leisure travellers from Israel with its ever-expanding list of experiences, including hosting Expo 2020 Dubai which has drawn in more than 2 million visits in its first month. Israel is participating at Expo 2020 Dubai with its own country pavilion under the theme ‘connecting thoughts – creating the future’. Emirates’ new flights will also boost connections for business communities in both countries, creating new channels to network and forge investment opportunities across industries. With the opening of visa-free travel between both countries and the easing of restrictions across the Emirates network, …

Gulf Air announced the launch of private charter services under the title of “Boutique Charters” allowing its global clientele to book private direct charter flights with personalised itineraries. The new service is available to government and corporate delegations, group travel, destination weddings, private family holidays as well as private cargo consignments. Available on various types of aircraft from the airline’s young fleet, the private charter services can be booked on narrow body fleet, Airbus A320neo or A321neoLR, or on wide body fleet, the airline’s flagship Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. In 2019 and in line with its strategy to become the customer’s airline of choice, Gulf Air announced its boutique business model concept which would reinforce its focus on product and customer experience. Similarly with the hospitality industry, Gulf Air differentiates itself as a boutique airline that is different and unique in the way it operates comparing to the bigger airlines that are more volume driven. This new concept is derived from the airlines business model to offer its boutique services to a more niche clientele whilst highlighting the key services the airline is renowned for. The new private “Boutique Charters” will allow customers to choose from a number of in-flight services and preferences from fresh flowers, bespoke amenities, unlimited WiFi connection, selection of newest movies and TV shows, choice of food and beverage, tailor made menus with cold and hot meals that are served by expert multinational flight attendants. Commenting on the launch, Gulf Air’s Acting Chief Executive Officer Captain Waleed AlAlawi said: “This is a major milestone for the national carrier of the Kingdom of Bahrain. We will now extend our boutique excellence to a new niche clientele to offer …