In a bid to provide customers year-round frequency and increase services between Australia and New Zealand, the partnership between Emirates and Qantas was extended with additional network changes. From March 2018, Emirates will focus on its non-stop Auckland-Dubai service and retain its existing daily A380 flights from Dubai to Christchurch via Sydney. The airline is also evaluating potential new direct services between New Zealand and Dubai. At the same time, to provide greater choice across the Tasman, Qantas will increase the frequency of its services between the two countries, adding seven new return flights per week between Melbourne and Auckland and an extra two return services per week between Brisbane and Auckland. The changes also enable Emirates to reschedule its Australia flights to create better departure times throughout the day. These latest changes are included in the airlines’ application to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) and New Zealand Minister of Transport for the airlines’ joint business for another five years.

Expanding its presence in the UAE, Hospitality Management Holding (HMH) signed the management agreement to operate the Coral Dubai Al Barsha Hotel. The five-star property (formerly the Auris Plaza Hotel) is located in the heart of Al Barsha within walking distance from the Mall of the Emirates in Dubai and features 337 well-appointed rooms equipped with world-class facilities. Brett Schafer, Chief Executive Officer of Faisal Holding, the owning company of HMH together with Manafa, stated, “We are delighted to welcome the Coral Dubai Al Barsha Hotel to our portfolio of hotels and truly grateful to the owners of the hotel for having given us this fantastic opportunity. The UAE is a strategic market for us and this new development will reinforce our position as a market leader in the dry segment while offering greater choice to our guests.”

Golden Sands Hotel Apartments, part of A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises launched its redesigned website www.goldensandsdubai.com. Featuring an upgraded design, innovative booking engine, with vibrant photos of the property and its facilities, the new look and feel of the website gives a true reflection of what awaits visitors. Mohammed Khoori, General Manager of Golden Sands Hotel Apartments said, “We are proud to launch our newly redesigned website, a result of extensive research conducted on the latest trends in the travel and hospitality industry. The site offers an easy and user-friendly online booking system for both leisure and business travellers. We invite you to visit the site to get a feel of your “home away from home” destination.” The fresh platform allows users to book rooms by individual unit or by category and checks availability with just a few clicks. Viewers can see special promotions, book and receive immediate confirmation. The website can be accessed using your desktop, laptop, tablet or mobile phone.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) signed an agreement to regulate air transport services between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Kingdom of Bahrain. In light of the Bahrain Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ objective to upgrade all its services, especially in the air transport sector with close cooperation between the UAE and its sister, the GCAA witnessed an MOU signing ceremony between the two countries after a successful round of negotiations. Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, Director General of UAE, GCAA expressed his appreciation to the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting important negotiations and raising the development of air transport services between the two countries. Mohammed Thamer Al Kaabi, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation Affairs said, “The draft agreement signed with the UAE represents a qualitative leap in the organisation and development of air transport services between the two countries for providing legal frameworks that meet the highest aviation security and safety requirements.”

As part of Abu Dhabi Aviation and Aerospace Week, Abu Dhabi Air Expo is set to roll out in a new set-up from February 26-28, 2018, under the patronage of Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The fifth edition of the three-day expo was launched by Al Bateen Executive Airport, the first business aviation airport in the Gulf Region, in response to increasing demand in participation from key industry professionals. The event will be divided into three main areas- aircraft hangar, chalets and outdoor static display. Leading private aircraft manufacturers like Dassault Aviation, Gulfstream, Embraer and Boeing Business Jets will be back in the show, alongside key local and regional industry partners and stakeholders. An exhibitor line-up of more than 300 manufacturers and suppliers will showcase the latest innovations and development in private jet aircraft, helicopters, executive charter services, airport equipment and services, avionics systems, insurance and financing.

Uber, in partnership with Dubai Taxi Corporation launched UberONE. Around 50 brand new premium electric cars will be added to the Uber app, giving riders across Dubai the chance to request the fully-electric, smart and sustainable transport option at the touch of a button. Starting from October 10, riders will be able to choose from a dedicated fleet of electric vehicles exclusively via the ‘UberONE’ option on the Uber app. The joint initiative comes as part of Dubai Taxi Corporation and Uber’s commitment to helping Dubai become the smartest city in the world in support of the Green Economy for Sustainable Development Initiative. Chris Free, General Manager for Uber, UAE said, “At Uber we are constantly innovating our offering and looking for ways to provide new and progressive experiences at the push of a button. We are tremendously excited to be the exclusive ride-hailing partner for the clean vehicle technology to deliver our driver-partners and riders with more efficient, less-polluting mobility. We will continue to work hand in hand with Dubai Taxi Corporation to bring innovative infrastructural solutions to Dubai and grow the city’s smart mobility ecosystem.”

Travelport hosted a two-day conference to provide insight into emerging new trends in the market and future of the sector with AI technology at Shangri-La, Oman. Over 230 customers from 14 countries attended the event. Kathryn Wallington, Country Manager, UAE Travelport welcomed the guests and explained the interactive opportunities at the conference. In his opening remarks, Matthew Powell, Managing Director, Middle East and South Asia, Travelport explained that Travelport had transformed from a regular GDS to a travel commerce and distribution platform to enable more opportunities in their portfolio. He reiterated how their platform enabled travel providers and their evolving technologies to deliver relevant content for travel buyers and consumers. He also spoke of how the platform provided new tools and solutions to customers and created a frictionless path to work with speed and accuracy, automated operations and the latest B2B travel payments. He reiterated that there was an expected opportunity of $8.6 billion in mobile travel sales in Middle East and India by 2022.

MYSK Al Mouj, a flagship hotel of the MYSK by Shaza is to be launched in Muscat this month. With special focus on Arabian lifestyle and culture, MYSK by Shaza is part of Taameer Investment, a leading company in investment and real estate development in the Sultanate of Oman, and part of Golden Group Holding. H.E. Sheikh Salim Al Ghazali, Chairman of Golden Group Holding, commenced the event by stating, “With its strategic location at Al Mouj marina, Mysk by Shaza Hotel will be an added value to the hospitality sector in Oman and an important icon in our group’s portfolio. In terms of tourism developments and investments, our projects are advancing steadily with 3-4 and 5 star hotels in the pipeline.”

At the Top, Burj Khalifa gets a digital facelift with a series of innovative technology experiences. As the guests set to start the Burj Khalifa journey, the ambience changes; white gradient glass walls provide an illusion of clouds, highlighting the heights they will scale soon and give a first glimpse of a 4-metre illuminated model of Burj Khalifa. Here, a giant video wall creates a ‘movement art’ of all visitors. Sensors gather the presence of every visitor, his location and turn them into real-time digital art. The replica of Burj Khalifa comes to life with digital projections in four different themes. The view of the Burj Khalifa model is hidden from the central reception area by ‘magic glass’ – a technological application enabling visitors on the outside to get just a glimpse of the model. Ahmad Al Falasi, Executive Director – Group Operations at Emaar Properties, said, “We have leveraged the latest advancements in digital technology to ensure that every visit, every time, by anyone will assure them delightful surprises. The spacious, aesthetic and digitally enhanced reception will significantly add to the convenience of our visitors from across the world.”

Deer Jet has granted charter management of the world’s first and only VVIP outfitted Boeing 787, the ‘Dream Jet’ to UAS International Trip Support.  The Dream Jet will be based at the strategic hub of Dubai and UAS will be promoting the aircraft to its Middle Eastern, African and European customer base of UHNWI, and Royal and Presidential entourages. Another 787 Dream Jet display took place at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport from October 3-4, where potential customers were invited for private tours of the aircraft. Appealing to the world’s most discerning business and leisure travellers, the jet offers 7-star services along with advanced technology. Capable of flying non-stop over 16,000 kilometres for 18.5 hours straight, the aircraft is both efficient and luxurious. Along with the main lounge, dining area and guest cabin, it also has a master bedroom, dressing area and washroom.