Dubai Airports has upped again its annual forecast for passenger traffic at Dubai International (DXB) to 64.3 million following a strong performance by the hub in the third quarter, and the prospects of a stronger surge in the offing in the final three months of 2022. DXB started the second half of the year with a bang, with average monthly traffic exceeding the 6-million mark throughout the third quarter. The hub recorded 18.5 million passengers in Q3, the first time that quarterly traffic reached pre-pandemic levels since 2020. DXB had recorded 17.8 million passengers in the first quarter of 2020 prior to the pandemic. “The growth in passenger traffic has been terrific throughout the year and continues to exceed our expectations by a margin. While we are thrilled with the numbers, what really gives us immense satisfaction is how the airport community is working together like a well-oiled machine to keep raising the bar on service quality. Our collaborative approach and service transformation initiatives are making a tangible difference in the happiness of our customers, and that remains our ultimate measure of success” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. Key facts and figures Passenger volumes at DXB recorded a triple digit surge in the third quarter to reach 18,455,938, propelling the year-to-date September traffic to 46,340,826 passengers, a year-on-year increase of 167.6%. The YTD traffic volume represents 72% of DXB’s pre-pandemic passenger traffic during the same period in 2019. Cargo Impacted by the moving of all major freight operators from DXB back to Dubai World Central (DWC) in March, Cargo continued to register a softening of demand in Q3. DXB recorded 397,676 tonnes of freight in the Q3, bringing …

Emirates has announced plans to add an additional daily direct flight between Dubai and Colombo, starting from 1 December 2022, to cater to the seasonal increase in the demand for travel. The additional service, operating as EK648/EK649, will increase the number of daily flights between the two cities to three, including two direct flights and one operating via the Maldivian capital, Male. Emirates’ second daily flight will operate direct between Dubai and Colombo, except during 16 to 30 December, when the service from Dubai to Colombo will stop over in Male. From 1 to 15 December and from 31 December to 26 March, EK648 will depart Dubai at 16:10hrs daily and arrive in Colombo at 21:55hrs, all times local. Flight EK648 will be routed via Male from 16th to 30th December, and will during that period, depart Dubai at 10.30hrs and arrive in Male at 14.45hrs. It will then depart from Male  at 17.15hrs and arrive in Colombo at 19.15hrs. Throughout the period from 1 December to 26 March, flight EK649 is scheduled to depart Colombo at 02:55hrs and arrive in Dubai at 05:55hrs. *All times are local. Emirates operates its modern Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a three-class configuration on flights to Colombo, offering private suites in First Class, lie flat seats in Business Class and spacious seats in Economy Class.  Travellers to and from Sri Lanka benefit from Emirates’ award-winning service and industry-leading products in the air and on the ground across all classes, with regionally-inspired dishes and complimentary beverages and the airline’s ice inflight entertainment system which offers up to 5,000 channels of on-demand entertainment in over 40 languages, including movies, TV shows, and an extensive musical library …

Kuwait Airways and Etihad Airways are pleased to announce the expansion of their codeshare partnership, established in 2019. The carriers will evaluate opportunities to expand the scope of their strategic partnership across all destinations in both carriers’ networks. The Kuwait national carrier’s code will shortly be added to additional Etihad Airways flights between Kuwait and Abu Dhabi and onwards to destinations in Asia, Africa, the Americas, and Australia. In addition, the airlines are exploring opportunities to add the United Arab Emirates national carrier’s code to Kuwait Airways flights on destinations not operated by Etihad Airways such as in Saudi Arabia and Turkey, subject to regulatory approvals. The airlines are also exploring loyalty cooperation so passengers can be rewarded with the benefits of the respective loyalty programs, Etihad Guest, and Oasis Club. The expansion of Etihad Airways’ and Kuwait Airways’ partnership will provide customers with greater choice in their travel options and will take their relationship to new heights. Offering alternative connections to the passengers of the two airlines beyond their respective hubs of Kuwait and Abu Dhabi will further contribute to the development of the traffic and commercial relations between the two brotherly countries of Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates. Mr. Maen Razouqi, the Chief Executive Officer of Kuwait Airways expressed his excitement over the expansion of the codeshare agreement, “which will strengthen the commercial relationship between the airlines, while benefiting our guests travelling to/from the Far East, Australia, Europe and the Middle East. This partnership will be a win-win for both airlines in our matching DNA growth journeys while committing to sustainability and the best in customer experiences.” Mr. Antonoaldo Neves, Group Chief Executive Officer at Etihad Airways …

The ultra-luxury Raffles Doha and luxury Fairmont Doha – which herald the entry of the aspirational Raffles Hotels & Resorts and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts brands to Qatar –are now open exclusively FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ guests and VIP delegation. The dual-branded five-star properties, housed within Katara towers, have welcomed their first guests while supporting the nation’s historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ by delivering exemplary service and truly exceptional experiences in both hotels. Seven outstanding food and beverage outlets and restaurants have opened to the public, four located within Raffles Doha and three in Fairmont Doha. Through advanced reservation only, non-stay guests can now book to enjoy next-generation gastronomic experiences at Raffles Doha’s Alba, which is the first overseas outpost for the celebrated restaurant by three-star Michelin chef Enrico Crippa; L’Artisan, which celebrates the art of modern dining for breakfast, lunch and dinner; Blue Cigar, a lounge which boasts 6,000 literary classics including some first edition classics as well as bespoke cigar collection; as well as Malaki Lounge, which spans the atrium lounge and ground floor and is the perfect venue for afternoon tea. Diners can head to Fairmont Doha to savour the progressive Indian cuisine at Masala Library, the concept by restaurateur, television host, and author Jiggs Kalra, and Latin American cuisine of Vaya, a vibrant restaurant with open kitchens and interactive service stations and where south American inspired dishes and drinks are prepared table-side. Guests can also choose to visit Dôme, a stylish chic Tea lounge that is the perfect place for afternoon tea and French-inspired bites and sips. Raffles Doha, an opulent 132-key ultra-luxury property and Qatar’s only all-suite hotel, offers an awe-inspiring suite experience and décor, …

In a boost to Dubai’s proposition as the place to be this winter season, some 5,500 athletes from 32 countries will soon arrive to compete in 28 Emirates Dubai 7s invitational tournaments over the long UAE national day weekend starting 1st December. Emirates has been a steadfast supporter of the Dubai 7s since its beginnings, which today has become the highlight of the Dubai event calendar, and the biggest and most popular sports and social gathering among the hundreds of other events hosted in the UAE every year. Over 420 sports teams will play in high-powered competitions spanning rugby 7’s, cricket, netball, and the annual festival’s newest addition, a fitness competition, WODON3, geared for both elite and amateur athletes looking to push their limits. The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series usually kicks off its season at the Emirates Dubai 7s with some of the world’s best male and female pro-rugby players from 28 countries with top-ranking and Olympic winning teams participating, including Australia & Fiji as well as Dubai fan favourites South Africa, Ireland & Great Britain, all set to compete on the pitch. At the Emirates Dubai 7s, rugby action isn’t be limited to professional players. The truly inclusive event will also host International Invitational and Open Tournaments for Men & Women as well as Social, Vets for the over 35s and Under 19 Boys competitions while the best teams from across the Gulf Region will battle it out for the Gulf Men’s League, Open, Social, Vets, Women, U19 Boys and Girls, and the UAE National Development Cup, created exclusively for Emirati players. These 16 additional events will be played across the three days at The Sevens Stadium. On …

As the region busies itself with winter visitors, iconic sporting events, UAE National Day and the upcoming festive season, Emirates is highlighting a busy travel period for both inbound and outbound travel through Dubai for the next month, and recommending passengers arrive to the airport 3 hours in advance of their flight, as well as taking advantage of multiple services that enhance seamless travel. From the 19th of November onwards, Dubai will begin to see a surge in inbound traffic, including visitors for the myriad of winter events like those attending the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix this weekend, travellers headed to Doha for football matches, and those arriving for the Emirates Dubai 7s which is set to welcome 5,500 athletes from 32 countries. UAE National Day will also see a high level of outbound travel as UAE residents enjoy the long weekend, and from December 16 onwards, Emirates is expecting the seasonal super outbound peak for the festive period. In addition to arriving to the airport up to 3 hours before a flight, passengers are advised to take advantage of digital check-in, home and remote check-in options, smart gates and handy luggage drop services. Passengers are encouraged to download the Emirates app on their mobile phone to get all their flight details at their fingertips. Users can book and change flights, download a digital boarding pass for most destinations, check what meals will be served onboard, book their chauffeur drive service and even pre-select and plan movies to watch via the ice inflight entertainment. All passengers can check-in online 48 hours ahead of their flight using the online check-in option on www.emirates.com. In a few clicks, they can select …

Saudi Arabian Airlines (SAUDIA), with the Royal Commission for AlUla and the French Agency for the Development of AlUla (AFALULA) has announced the resumption of a weekly direct flight between Paris CDG airport and AlUla international airport every Sunday from December 4, 2022 to March 12, 2023. The route will allow French travelers to reach AlUla in only 5 hours, with all the comfort provided by the Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”. Announced as part of AlUla’s participating in the World Travel Market, London this week, the route represents an incomparable opportunity for French travelers to immerse themselves in the desert city of AlUla, an ancient oasis located on the incense route with 7000 years of successive civilisations. AlUla is a unique site that was home to some of the most important civilisations of the region – the Dadanites, the Lihyanites, the Nabataeans, and the Romans. Among the must-see, UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hegra, the southern capital of the Nabatean Empire, are many other archaeological sites dating back to the first millennium BCE. Beyond its rich heritage, AlUla also offers stunning natural landscapes, ochre sandstone canyons and amazing rock formations, basaltic plateaus and golden sands, and a lush green oasis stretching for miles running through the city. French connections to AlUla are strong. The Dominican fathers and exploders Antonin Jaussen and Raphaël Savignac produced some of the earliest pictures of the region in 1909. Today teams of French archaeologists are working to uncover more AlUla’s mysteries. French artists and musicians have also left their marks in the region in recent years with exceptional concerts and performances or unique art projects. AFALULA was set up as an inter-governmental partnership to support the …

The Diriyah Gate Development Authority (DGDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Falcons Club (SFC). The MoU, signed by Jerry Inzerillo, Group Chief Executive Officer of DGDA, and Hosam Al-Huzaimi, CEO of the SFC, aims to preserve and promote the proud tradition of falconry, highlighting its significance to national culture and heritage through a series of joint projects and initiatives. According to Mr. Inzerillo, the joint cooperation will prove integral to DGDA’s drive for greater educational and cultural activity, while also paving the way to develop and operate a falconry center within Diriyah that would offer inspiring insights and information on falcons, falconry, and the rich culture that has developed around them. Mr. Huzaimi said that the agreement would facilitate falconry culture conservation efforts through educational, cultural, and heritage programs and events across both Diriyah and the Kingdom. Both sides will also work to further popularize the hobby amongst the youth through programs that promote the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

At the recently concluded Switzerland tourism roadshow where they hosted over 100 trade partners recently as the final of their GCC roadshow with 18 key partners that showcased their offerings from tourism boards, hotels, Railways, cablecars, airline and DMCs, it was shared that they had achieved 20% more in terms of visitors than pre pandemic or 2019. Matthias Albrecht, Director Switzerland tourism stated, “This is the last roadshow for the year. Roadshows are very important as we meet people directly in their own home ground. As we all know there are many possibilities to book online and its important to speak to people on digital channels but we all know the big families, VIPs don’t want to stay online for many hours and compare they want the travel agents to organise, add additional rooms or connecting doors, especially in this region this will stay, these contacts are able to arrange everything for them, we are here to meet these contacts.” Speaking on the year that was, “it was a fantastic year, we had a great start, there was a survey conducted early 2022, it was asking many UAE residents and nationals about their favourite travel destination and Switzerland became third after Dubai and Abu Dhabi which are both within UAE which means Switzerland the most prominent and most popular destination outside the UAE which is a fantastic result and of course helped us a lot to advertise Switzerland throughout the year.” This summer proved to be good for most destinations, Albrecht shared, “there is one figure which we received from September comparing now to 2019, pre pandemic and we are 20 percent plus from the whole of GCC which is …

Marriott International, Inc. announced it has signed a deal with RDK Tourism Investment LLC to open four properties in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The signings are expected to further enhance the company’s footprint in Abu Dhabi and Dubai with the addition of more than 700 rooms across its Marriott Hotels and Resorts, Marriott Executive Apartments and Autograph Collection Hotels brands.  All four properties are expected to be converted from existing properties operated by RDK Tourism Investment. “We are delighted to strengthen our collaboration with RDK Tourism Investment and expand our portfolio of properties in the UAE,” said Sandeep Walia, Chief Operating Officer, Middle East, Marriott International. “We look forward to building on this relationship and supporting the overall growth of the tourism sector in the UAE.” Rashid Darwish Ahmed Saif Al Ketbi, Chairman of RDK Group commented, “We look forward to further cementing our relationship with Marriott International as part of our aim to expand our hospitality portfolio in the region. The four properties aim to contribute to the local economic development of upcoming tourism destinations in the UAE, in line with our investment ambitions as a company to develop landmark projects that cater to guests at the highest international standards.” Marriott Mirfa Resort, Abu Dhabi The company’s flagship brand, Marriott Hotels and Resorts, is anticipated to open its first resort in Abu Dhabi with the Marriott Mirfa Resort, Abu Dhabi.  Situated on the coast of the Al Dhafra region in the historic fishing town of Mirfa, the resort will exemplify the brand’s continued evolution and feature contemporary and intuitive spaces. Projected to be completed in 2025, the 114-room beachfront resort is anticipated to feature views of the Arabian …