Airline, airport, hotel, destination, visa, and Muslim travel updates from Irhal.
The airline marks Philadelphia as its 14th destination in North America NEW YORK, NY, USA – Qatar Airways has reconnected Doha and Philadelphia with the launch of a daily non-stop flight between Hamad International Airport (DOH) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), its 14th destination in North America, which resumed on 1 August 2026.
Read full storyThis summer, Central Shopping Centers invites international visitors to experience the best of shopping, dining, and leisure with Summer Holiday 2026, running from 20 July – 30 September 2026. Created exclusively for international tourists, the campaign offers shopping privileges across Thailand’s five world-class shopping malls: centralwOrld, Central Park…
Read full storyThe Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities and the Jordan Tourism Board, in cooperation with tourism associations, have launched the integrated digital platform "Ahlan Jordan" as part of measures to support the tourism sector and address the impact of regional circumstances on travel activity.
Read full storyflydubai, the Dubai-based carrier, has increased its daily operations between Dubai and Naples and is set to boost its flights to Milan-Bergamo to a double-daily operation from 31 July, enhancing passenger connectivity to Italy.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – July 28, 2026: The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi has announced that Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, a museum of modern and contemporary art, will open its doors on 11 December 2026 at Saadiyat Island, Abu Dhabi.
Warner Bros. World™ Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the region's largest indoor theme park, is inviting guests to place themselves in the hands of one of DC's most iconic Super-Villains, as Kryptonite Collider officially opens.
Malaysia Retains No. 1 Position in Global Muslim Travel Index 2025, Offering GCC Travellers a Summer of Festivals, Culture and Discovery.
The Dubai-based carrier announces the start of daily flights to Aleppo from 20 July, reaffirming its connectivity to opening underserved markets Aleppo becomes the carrier’s second destination in Syria alongside Damascus
What if the most valuable thing you brought home from a trip wasn’t an object, but a story? Northern Thailand is home to dozens of ethnic communities who have carried their identities across mountains and borders for centuries – and many of them welcome curious, respectful visitors.
The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) today launched the search for the 7 Contemporary Wonders of the World, a global initiative designed to identify and celebrate the landmarks and buildings created since 1801 that have had the greatest impact on Travel & Tourism, local communities and economic development, and continue to redefine the future of destin…
Luxury travel today is no longer measured by how much you can see in a few days, but by how deeply you can experience a destination. At Le Méridien Phuket Mai Khao Beach Resort, guests are invited to embrace this philosophy through Long Stay Beach Escape, an exclusive package designed for travelers who wish to enjoy more of Phuket's culture, wellness, and f…
Read full storyTwo hotels, three ways to stay, and one summer campaign inviting guests to choose their own scene across Paramount Hotel Midtown and Paramount Hotel Dubai
Read full storySharjah Museums Offer an Integrated Summer Experience Blending Culture, Science, and Discovery for All Community Members
Read full storyNew five-day programme empowers young people to build confidence, resilience and lifelong skills while embracing active lifestyles
Read full storyAcross Five Museums with Interactive Museum Programmes Enriching Children’s Knowledge
Read full storyOceans of Lights Festival returns to SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi in its third edition to offer a summer program full of activities and new experiences
Read full storyJuly 2026, Yerevan, Armenia: Armenia has extended its temporary visa-free entry arrangement, keeping the country within easy reach for eligible travellers from across the Gulf for a further year. The arrangement now runs until 1 July 2027.
Read full storyJuly 2026, Yerevan, Armenia: The competent Armenian authorities announced the extension of the temporary decision exempting eligible travelers from GCC countries from prior visa entry for an additional year, making the decision effective until July 1, 2027. This decision aims to facilitate travel procedures and tourism movement and exchange between Armenia and the Arab Gulf region, allowing travelers…
Read full storySet within Khalid Lagoon, the island shows how Sharjah brings art, nature and design into everyday public life.
Read full storyBlending cultural discovery with elevated wellness and leisure experiences, World of Hyatt summer destinations offer GCC travelers seasonal getaways across the GCC, Africa and Europe.
Read full storyAbu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – June 30, 2026: Yas Waterworld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi has officially been awarded the Guinness World Records™ title for the most waterslides in a waterpark, featuring a record-breaking collection of 55 slides.
Read full storyExperience the Colours of Malaysia at Citrawarna 2026 This Summer
Read full storyGermany is an ideal destination for friends traveling together, thanks to its creative neighborhoods, vibrant markets, street food culture, and stunning natural retreats
Read full storyFollowing the launch of its first collaboration in 2025, the Jacquemus brand returns this summer to the Monte Carlo Beach Club with a new design that reimagines the coastal atmosphere with a contemporary spirit. The design evokes the spirit of 1950s beach clubs, where elegance meets the calm Mediterranean lifestyle.
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Gulf Times has reported that Qatar Airways in among the investors that have expressed interest in the privatisation of state owned Greek airline Olympic Airlines. Spain 's Iberia Lineas Aereas de Espana, Ferrovial subsidiary Swissport International, American charter companies SkyOne and Chrysler Aviation, budget carriers SkyEurope and My Air, and ground-handling-operations company Goldair are among the…
In response to the rising demand in the aviation sector from the region, Boeing anticipates that over the next 20 years, 60 percent of its 1580 new aircraft will be delivered to the Middle East . Source: Khaleej Times
In an effort to cut costs and streamline operations, India ’s Jet Airways has terminated the contracts of 25 expatriate pilots. The hike in fuel costs and continued inflation has resulted in a downturn of the Indian aviation sector evoking drastic cost cutting measures by various airlines. Expatriate pilots have been sacked as their salary is almost 40% higher than the 15000-18000 monthly salary paid to…
Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan has said that despite the economic slowdown advance bookings on the airline for the next 3 months are strong and growth targets will be met. James Hogan said that those airlines that were heavily dependent on corporate business were likely to be more affected by the downturn rather than airlines like Etihad whose consumer base was more diversified. He also added that the…
Magic Planet, the leading family amusement park, is now sporting a new look at Sharjah City Centre as it reopened its doors to the public recently. Now spanning a total area of 1,841 square metres, the refurbished facility promises to keep its visitors captivated with its newly added rides and games. Magic Planet was closed for renovation on April 9 this year and has now returned to entertain its fans like…
Dubai’s Kempinsky Hotel, located at the Mall of the Emirates, has been named Middle East’s leading leisure hotel at the 15th annual World Travel Awards. Source: www.ameinfo.com
Global cruise liner Royal Caribbean has announced a new route that will have Dubai as the home port. The cruise liner will sail 13 times between January 2009 and April 2010, with each cruise being of seven days duration. The Royal Caribbean will also sail to Oman and Bahrain. Source: www.ameinfo.com
FlyDubai, Dubai’s low cost carrier is in talks with Boeing about aircraft delivery after delays due to strikes at Boeing’s factories. The airline however, is still aiming at a mid 2009 launch of its operations. The budget carrier had entered into a $4 billion dollar deal with the plane-maker for an order of 54 Boeing single aisle 737 aircraft. Source: Emirates Business 24/7
Emirates Airlines will be shifting its entire capacity to the new Terminal 3 at the Dubai International Airport once the final phase of the terminal is launched on November 11. The airline said in a statement on November 5, that the fourth and final phase will launch Emirates flights to the Indian Subcontinent, East Asia and Australia. Source: Emirates Business 24/7
Abu Dhabi based Prestige Jet has invested Dh 25 million in Qatar based private airline Q-Jet, further strengthening its position in the private aviation sector in the Gulf and adjoining regions. As Prestige enters the second year of its operations, it will be opening four companies specializing in renting jets to private firms located not just in the Middle East but also in Europe. The company has also started…
Al Jazirah daily has reported that Riyadh based, state owned Saudi Arabian Airlines plans to buy 70 new aircraft of which nine will be delivered in the fourth quarter of 2009 and 21 in 2010. According to the airline’s Director General, Khalid bin Abdullah Al Molhem, the delivery of all aircraft will be complete by 2014. Source: Emirates Business 24/7
The Ritz-Carlton group has said that it plans to open 10 more hotels in the Middle East by 2012. The group currently has five regional hotels with more hotels planned in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and other parts of the UAE, including a launch in Dubai's financial district by mid-2009. Source: www.ameinfo.com
Air Arabia said on Monday that by early 2009 the airline will commence operations from its second hub Casablanca in Morocco. The new airline, named Air Arabia Moroc will seek to service the country’s domestic sector as well as select destinations across Europe and Africa. The airline’s chairman Shaikh Abdullah Bin Mohammad Al Thani said that with the new hub the company will be able to expand its coverage across…
Aviation Lease and Finance Company of Kuwait has announced that it will be buying aircraft from Airbus and Boeing in a deal worth $10 billion. The company’s chairman Ahmad Alzabin said the firm had confirmed orders to buy 70 aircraft from Airbus and Boeing for delivery between 2009 and 2017. Source: Emirates Business 24/7
Following the drop in the price of jet fuel, Singapore Airlines announced that it would be cutting fuel surcharge by as much as $15 (Dh55). The levies will be reduced on tickets issued from November 7. Source: Emirates Business 24/7
Dubai based Emirates Airlines which operates 40 flights per week to Australia said the number of flights would go up to 70 by 2009. Currently passengers flying from Europe to Australia take indirect flights, such as Emirates, via Dubai. The airlines is looking at offering passengers more choices and faster flights to Australia from Dubai in a bid to increase pressure on Asian rivals such as Cathay Pacific and…
Etihad Airways said on November 4 that it has flown almost 14 million passengers on more than 87000 flights to 48 destinations over the past five years of its operations across the Middle East, Africa, Australia, Europe, North America, and Asia. The Abu Dhabi based airline has also increased its fleet to 39 aircraft, a number that is expected to go up to 42 by the end of this year. Etihad now plans to fly 25…
Royal Jet, the luxury flight services company with headquarters in Abu Dhabi, has taken delivery of a Learjet 60. The L60 is an advanced version of the Learjet 55, with a longer fuselage and more powerful engines. Royal Jet's President and CEO Shane O'Hare said, "The addition of the L60 is a direct result of the growing demand for Royal Jet's services".  The L60 will be utilised under Royal…
Travelers in transit need not be bored any longer . Thanks to a website www.timeintransit.com launched recently , travelers in transit at Middle East airports will be able to garner information on what to do while in transit . This website not only provides details of what travellers can do when transiting through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Bahrain and Sharjah airports , but has teamed up with booking.com…
American Airlines has had early stage merger talks with US Airways and is in advanced talks for an alliance with Continental Airlines . News of the talks comes in the wake of the talks of Delta Airlines and Northwest Airlines merger announced two weeks ago to become the worldââ¬â„¢s largest airline . American Airlines and Continental are focusing on forming an alliance that could share passengers…
Biman said on Tuesday it had ordered a total of eight new Boeing jets , including four of the US aviation giantââ¬â„¢s new fuel efficient 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft . The Bangladesh carrier said the order represents a major step forward in the airlineââ¬â„¢s reorganization and growth plans . Biman has tried for several years to order new aircraft but its efforts in the past were stymied by governments…
ABU DHABI ââ¬â€  Indiaââ¬â„¢s largest privately-owned airline, Jet Airways has started its services linking Delhi and Mumbai with Abu Dhabi. Mohammed Al Balooki, Director , marketing, Abu Dhabi Airport Company (ADAC), who welcomed the Indian air carrier at a ceremony held at Abu Dhabi Airport, said that this year four airlines have launched their operations to Abu Dhabi and by the year-end the total…
Emirates has signed an agreement with UK based insurer Bupa Travel Services, which will let travelers managing their flight bookings online opt for special travel insurance protection . These offers include unlimited cover in event of a medical emergency, credit and card theft, and even kennel and cattery fees. Insurance cover can be purchased by almost all nationalities for various trip durations, and for…
Muscat: Jet Airways is planning to introduce no-frills Jet-Lite operations in the GCC sector, according to Abraham Joseph, the private Indian airline's senior general manager for Gulf, Middle East and North Africa."We are in final negotiations with the respective GCC governments to operate Jet-Lite," he said while stressing that Jet-Lite will not be a low fare airline. "It will be something in-between," he…
