Etihad Airways is set to increase its frequency of flights to Maldives starting June 15, 2018. According to sources, four additional weekly flights will be added on the popular Abu Dhabi – Malé route, taking frequency to the Maldives to 11 services a week. The extra flights will operate year-round and provide more travel options with an early morning arrival enabling guests to maximise their stay in the Maldives. In addition to providing greater choice and flexibility for UAE and GCC residents, overall connectivity and timing options between the Maldives and key countries on Etihad Airways’ European network will be enhanced. These include the major markets of the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Russia. The expansion from the current daily operation will continue to see a two-class A320 aircraft on the route, offering 16 seats in Business Class and 120 in Economy.

Ahead of the International Civil Aviation Day on December 7, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA), Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group stated that smart services at airports and in air navigation reflect the UAE’s commitment to ensuring safe, secure and environment-friendly aviation network. “Through efficient implementation of ICAO’s Standards and Recommended Practices, Dubai and the UAE are ensuring safe and secured air travel for passengers around the world. I consider the theme for this year, ‘Working together to ensure no country is left behind’, highly important in the light of the increasing international air transportation between states.” Maktoum said. The purpose of International Civil Aviation Day is to help generate and reinforce worldwide awareness of the importance of international civil aviation to the social and economic development of states, and of the unique role of ICAO in helping states to cooperate and realise a truly global rapid transit network at the service of all mankind.

A total of 15 airlines from the Middle East & North Africa (MENA) have entered into a 10-year framework agreement with Amadeus for distribution services, negotiated and led by the Arab Air Carriers Association (AACO). The airlines participating in the framework agreement to date carried 110 million passengers in 2016, meaning that these airlines will serve over 1 billion passengers during the 10-year duration of the agreement. For the participating AACO airlines, the partnership will drive economies of scale, technological efficiencies and support the airlines’ vision for distribution in the future. Abdul Wahab Teffaha, Secretary General, AACO commented, “This long-term agreement represents a landmark for a number of AACO members with a technology partner dedicated to supporting new business strategies.” Julia Sattel, Senior Vice President, Airlines, Amadeus, said, “We are proud to further deepen our partnership with AACO and its member airlines. Amadeus’ focus on innovation and technology, combined with a partnership approach were in close alignment with the requirements identified by the members of AACO’s taskforce for future distribution strategies.”

Scheduled to open in mid-2020, the 233-key Anantara Sharjah Resort will be located on a prime beachfront location in Sharjah, approximately at a 15 minutes’ drive from Sharjah International Airport. The resort will offer a selection of accommodation options including Deluxe Rooms and Luxury Suites. Facilities will include multiple dining options with a specialty restaurant located on a pier, spa and wellness centre, a kids’ club, a swimming pool and a ballroom able to accommodate up to 540 guests for a banquet. Sharjah’s first Anantara resort marks a significant addition to the Emirate’s hospitality sector, which has seen impressive growth in recent years. The Anantara Sharjah Resort is co-owned by Basma Group and ARADA, with the latter playing a developer management role in the delivery of the property. HE Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Chairman, Basma Group and ARADA, said: “Anantara is one of the world’s most prestigious luxury hotel brands, and this new property marks yet another hospitality milestone for Sharjah. We’re looking forward to launching the resort in 2020, and delivering on our commitment to providing exceptional new destinations to tourists.”

Air Arabia announced Asmara as its first destination in Eritrea, starting from December 10, 2017. The flight will operate once a week on Sundays, departing Sharjah International Airport at 22:00 hours and arriving at Asmara International Airport (ASM) at 01:00 hours local time. The return flight will depart Asmara on Mondays at 01:40, landing in Sharjah on the following day at 06:20 hours local time. Air Arabia currently operates flights to 133 routes across the globe from five hubs located in the Middle East and North Africa. Adel Al Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia, said “Eritrea is on the path to becoming an important market for the UAE. Through the launch of this route, we look to boost the trade and bilateral relations between the two countries, and expand our footprint in the African continent. We are excited to commence our operations to Asmara, which will provide affordable travel options to passengers travelling from Eritrea to destinations across our network and beyond.”

Ahead of the new year, flydubai launched two new routes to Europe. Flights to Krakow will start on April 8, 2018 and flights to Catania will begin on June 13, 2018. flydubai becomes the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights to these destinations, offering weekly flights. With the launch of these new European routes, the airline’s network grows to over 100 destinations in 47 countries. Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO, flydubai, said, “With the launch of flights to Krakow and Catania, flydubai is committed to open up new direct air links to Dubai. Our latest route launches are testament to that commitment which demonstrate our efforts in offering our passengers more options to explore our network.” Emirates will codeshare on both routes and as part of the Emirates-flydubai partnership, each airline’s passengers will have the opportunity to connect in Dubai to hundreds of destinations across the world. To offer passengers more comfort and an enhanced travel experience, the carrier will operate the new routes on its brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 unveiled at the Dubai Airshow in November.

Emaar prepares to host New Year celebrations with its all-new ‘Light Up 2018’ spectacle in Downtown Dubai with festivities spanning Burj Khalifa and water-music performances at The Dubai Fountain. The façade of Downtown Dubai’s iconic buildings will serve as the canvas for the spectacular show set to a specially choreographed music. The entire show is coordinated and produced by a team of world-class experts. Celebrating the pride of the nation and the spirit of positivity that marks Dubai, the event also marks the coming together of several government and private sector entities joining hands with Emaar. Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing, Roads & Transport Authority, Dubai Police, Dubai Civil Defence and Dubai Health Authority, among other governmental entities, are supporting the event to offer a seamless experience for visitors. Special viewing platforms will be set up across Burj Park and Downtown Dubai. The event will be broadcast live on televisions globally and beamed on big screens in Downtown Dubai. The experience can be watched online at www.mydubainewyear.com. A Twitter Live Stream can be viewed by following @MyDowntownDubai.

Taking ziplining to the extreme, XDubai launched the new XLine, the world’s longest, steepest and fastest urban zipline. Set in Dubai Marina, the new XLine measures an astonishing 1 kilometre, with a travel of an average of 80 kilometres per hour. Building on the earlier archetype, the new XLine literally goes the distance, doubling in length and offering daring duos the ability to experience it together – swiftly yet safely – through two concurrently running ziplines. Also new is the superman style harness, which allows zipliners to channel their inner superhero with an electrifying flight-like experience as they zip from one of the Amwaj towers in JBR, 170 metres in the air, weaving through skyscrapers and across water, down to the terrace of Dubai Marina Mall, landing in close proximity to amazed bystanders. Building upon the success of the original XLine, the new version will also be open to both visitors and residents of Dubai for a limited time with public bookings open now.

Global investment conglomerate Dubai Holding and Sevens Holding SPC signed a management agreement for Jumeirah Group to operate a luxury hotel in Bahrain. Scheduled to open on February 27, 2018, the hotel will be named as Jumeirah Royal Saray – Bahrain. The agreement marks Jumeirah Group’s entry into the Bahrain hospitality market and is a strategic milestone for the world-renowned luxury hospitality brand. The Jumeirah Royal Saray, located on the Bahrain shoreline in a premium beach front position, offers 167 guest rooms including two Royal Suites as well as a variety of dining and recreational choices including a state-of-the-art health club and spa. This important addition to the Jumeirah Group portfolio is in line with the group’s expansion plans across the Gulf Cooperation Council. Jumeirah Group currently operates 20 hotels in nine destinations, managing more than 6000 hotel rooms and suites. The opening of Jumeirah Royal Saray – Bahrain demonstrates the group’s focus on accelerated growth and its continued drive to export its unique brand of hospitality.

The 4th Hospitality Industry Forum organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) was held in Sharjah on the theme ‘Continuous Innovation,’ highlighting the robust expansion of the emirate’s tourism sector from 2016 to 2017. The session featured three sessions titled ‘Sharjah Hospitality Results,’ ‘Key to a Successful Travel’ and Tourism Innovation,’ a panel discussion on ‘A Stairway Towards Innovative Marketing’ and two workshops titled ‘Investment in Human Capabilities’ and ‘Destination Competitiveness in an Innovative World.’ Local hospitality sector revenues witnessed a remarkable 7.8 per cent increase during the first half of 2017 compared with the previous year, reaching AED 372 million as the emirate steadily positions itself as a destination of choice for tourists. H.E. Khalid Jasim Al Midfa, Chairman, SCTDA, said, “Under the consistent guidance of H.H. Dr Shaikh Sultan bin Mohammad Al Qassimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the UAE Supreme Council, the relentless efforts of Sharjah’s tourism sector have placed the emirate in the international tourism map and has brought success both at the regional and local levels by offering a world-class destination that represents the Arab cultural heritage as well as a family-friendly environment.”