UAE: Emirates Temporarily Suspends All Passenger Services

Emirates confirmed Tuesday it would temporarily suspend all passenger services from 25 March to comply with the UAE government’s directive.

Claiming the measures are in place to contain the spread of COVID-19 the airline said it hoped to “resume services as soon as feasible”.

Cargo and emergency repatriation flights are exempt.

An earlier post issued by the airline on the evening of 22 March suggested that it would be able to keep some flights operating and even identified cities in Asia and Europe.

However, that post was superseded by a statement on Tuesday, 24 March that confirmed all flights to and from the UAE would be cancelled 25 March.

The airline assured passengers they do not need to call to cancel bookings as the airline deactivated its no-show fees. It did advise passengers to complete a travel voucher request form to rebook flights later.

The airline is facing an overload of calls to customer service centres. It said passengers not travelling in the next 48 hours should call closer to the departure dates.

Customers with flight bookings for travel on or before 30 June 2020 can rebook their flights to any Emirates destination within the same region without a rebooking fee or paying any fare difference.

Customers who booked directly with Emirates can visit the Travel Voucher webpage and add “Refund request due to Coronavirus” in the comments section. Customers who booked with a travel agent must contact them for further assistance with their bookings.

UAE authorities announced on 23 March that all passenger flights, including transit flights, would be suspended 25 March for at least two weeks. Visitors are not allowed to enter the UAE until further notice.

UAE: Emirates Wins World's Best Airline Award

Emirates continued winning when it took top honours by sweeping five awards at the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2019.

The airline took home awards for Airline with the Best First Class, Airline with the Best Economy Class, Airline with the Best Frequent Flyer Program and Best Airport Lounge in the Middle East.

The airline also took home the coveted award of Best Airline Worldwide.

Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer for Emirates, received the awards on behalf of the airline and commented: It is an honour to receive these five gongs from the Business Traveller Middle East Awards 2019 and to see that our brand is recognised by customers is a fantastic encouragement to continue to raise the bar and develop innovative products and services.

This with a strong customer focus aligned with our brand promise to fly better. We would like to thank our employees for the hard work and commitment they deliver for an exceptional customer experience which helps Emirates stand out on the global stage day in and day out."

Emirates most recently redefined premium travel with its game-changer Boeing 777-300ER interiors featuring - six fully enclosed First Class Private Suites with meticulous design details inspired by the Mercedes-Benz S-Class.

Laid in a 1-1-1 configuration, each suite has floor to ceiling sliding doors and up to 40 square feet of personal space, cutting-edge technologies, including a NASA inspired zero-gravity seating position, 'virtual windows' for middle aisle suites, and personal video-call service.

The newest Boeing 777-300ER game-changer aircraft currently flies to six global cities, including Riyadh and Kuwait.

Emirates has also completed the reconfiguration of 10 Boeing 777-200LR aircraft. The multi-million dollar refurbishment included a fully refreshed economy class cabin with the latest colour palette of soft greys and blues, ergonomically designed headrests, and generously pitched seats.

The airline's state-of-the-art, First Class lounges at Concourses A, B, and C in DXB offer premium customers a chance to refresh using showers and enjoy savouring in gourmet cuisines.

With a seating capacity of over 2,500 - the award-winning lounge offers a business centre, a la carte dining, spa with treatment rooms, dedicated duty free area, premium cigar lounge, and a complimentary shoe shine service.

The Business Traveler Middle East Awards are the latest in a series of accolades won by Emirates which include the 2019 TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice® awards for Airlines, where Emirates won four awards including: Best First Class in the world, Best Regional Business Class Middle East.

Also Best First Class Middle East; and overall Travelers' Choice Major Airline honour for the Middle East.

TripAdvisor also ranked Emirates as one of the world's top carriers based on the quantity and quality of reviews and ratings for airlines by TripAdvisor flyers.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Emirates Busiest Time On Friday With 42,000 Passengers Travelling Abroad

Passengers flying out of Dubai have been warned that the airport terminals will be more crowded than usual this weekend, as well as on Tuesday, as thousands of UAE residents are expected to go on vacation during the upcoming spring break and public holiday.

UAE-based carrier Emirates said it is expecting more than 200,000 flyers to take off from Dubai International Airport tomorrow, March 29, just a couple of days before schools mark the official start of this year's spring break, and on April 2, 2019.

Two short breaks are coming up very soon for UAE residents. Students in Dubai are scheduled to go on a two-week spring break starting from March 31, 2019.

Although no official announcements have been made yet, the UAE is also expected to observe a holiday on April 3 on the occasion of Al isra’a Wal Mi’raj or Ascencion Day.

Al Isra'a Wal Mi’raj is an Islamic holiday, which is observed annually on the 27th day of the Islamic month of Rajab (falls on April 3 in 2019), according to the Hijri calendar.

According to Emirates, March 29, will be the busiest time to travel, with more than 42,000 passengers expected to take off from Terminal 3 alone.

Customers are reminded to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight departure to avoid any delays, Emirates said.

The airport terminals will continue to be busy until Tuesday, April 2, with more than 205,000 passengers travelling via Emirates from Dubai to destinations abroad.

During this time, Emirates will also be welcoming more than 160,000 passengers to and through Dubai, the airline said.

With road works continuing to cause delays around main airport highways and roads during this time, Emirates urges customers to build in extra time for their journeys to avoid potential delays.

Emirates anticipates high passenger traffic this spring break weekend. We recommend customers departing from Terminal 3 @DXB arrive at least 3 hours ahead of departure and allow extra time for check-in and security screening.

If you’re travelling on the mentioned dates, here are some few tips from Emirates to keep in mind, to avoid delays:

- Check in at the airport as early as 24 hours before the flight departure

- Ensure that you check in no later than two hours prior to your flight.

- You will most likely not be allowed to check in if you show up less than 60 minutes prior to the scheduled flight departure.

- Check in online, when you can. Check-in services can be accessed online from 48 hours to 90 minutes prior to the flight.

- Take advantage of car park check-in facilities in Dubai. There are at least 16 check-in counters located in Zone C of the airport. Customers can use these to check in and drop off their luggage.

- Flyers heading to Emirates Terminal 3 can choose to drop their luggage at one of the 46 dedicated bag drop counters in Economy Class or separate counters in First Class and Business Class from six hours to 90 minutes prior to departure.

"Peak travel is expected to continue until Tuesday, April 2, 2019 with more than 205,000 Emirates passengers travelling from Dubai to destinations beyond.

During this time, Emirates will also be welcoming more than 160,000 passengers to and through Dubai, Emirates said.

The busy weekend comes on the back of a period of unsettled weather across the country, so driving conditions to the airport may need to be factored in, plus there are roadworks continuing to cause delays in the area.

Emirates added that customers who check in fewer than 60 minutes prior to their scheduled flight departure will not be accepted for travel.

Gates open 90 minutes before departure, boarding starts 45 minutes before each flight and gates close 20 minutes before departure.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Alcohol Consumption Not Prohibited On Emirates. A Passenger In A Car Driven By Someone With Alcohol In Their Blood Will Get Arrested.

Dubai flights have worried passengers when it comes to serving alcohol mid-flight.

British passenger Dr Ellie Holman was arrested after landing at the airport in the UAE and was found to have alcohol in her bloodstream.

She confirmed that she had a glass of wine during the flight that was offered by the airline.

Emirates has made statements regarding their alcohol rules.

Emirates customers have complained in regards to alcohol consumption.

One woman asked: “Dear @emirates and @British_Airways, am I in danger of getting arrested on a flight to the #UAE if I order alcohol?

Another asked: “Could you clarify if I can drink alcohol in the lounge and during a connecting flight from BHX to BKK. The Embassy are now saying it's illegal to consume whilst transiting through DBX.”

Emirates responded by saying - Alcohol consumption is not prohibited on our flights.

Furthermore alcohol is also served in the lounged in Dubai airport and available for purchase in the Duty Free.

Emirates continues to invest in our food and beverage programme, which is an integral part of our inflight experience, says an Emirates official.

However, like on any other airline, or indeed any hospitality establishment, unruly or disruptive behaviour from intoxication will not be tolerated, and there may be legal consequences.

The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew on board will always be our top priority, Emirates said.

The British Embassy in the UAE warned Britons travelling to the country in regards to drinking alcohol.

They said it is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public, including when transiting through the UAE.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office warns that Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested.

Dubai is popular with British travellers for the cheap flights on offer and good weather all year round.

UAE has recently announced new changes for tourists in regard to transit visa, allowing longer in the country, and free visas for children in a tourism drive.

However strict rules in regards to other substances such as drugs and relations between men and women should be checked before travelling.

A strictly Muslim country, some tourists have found themselves in trouble when participating in activities that are allowed in the UK.

Earlier, Dubai tourists were warned against drinking alcohol on flights when travelling to the country following the arrest of a British mother who drank one glass of wine on an Emirates flight.

Dubai flights often serve alcoholic drinks inflight as it is not illegal to drink in the air.

It is but illegal to be drunk in public in Dubai.

The British Embassy in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) issued the warning to Britons travelling to the country.

They warned, if caught carrying or drinking alcohol without a licence or with alcohol in your blood you can be arrested.

The warning follows the arrest of Ellie Holman, who was detained when landing and was found with alcohol in her blood.

It is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public-including when transiting through the UAE.

It can result in custodial sentences and/or fine but other offences committed while drunk will be heard separately.

Take care to respect local customs, behave respectfully when consuming alcohol.

There is zero tolerance for drink driving in the UAE. You can be arrested as a passenger in a car driven by someone with alcohol in their blood.

Tourists cannot buy a license for alcohol, and so must only drink in areas which carry a license.

Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested.

Radha Stirling, chief executive of human rights group detained in Dubai, said: In light of the FCO’s announcement, we will be contacting all airlines who transit to or through the UAE to clarify their position on serving alcohol to passengers.

Either the UAE will need to reform their laws urgently, or the airlines will need to update their policy to ensure the safety of customers.

Dr Ellie Holman was imprisoned for three days in Dubai after being asked if she had consumed alcohol on the flight.

She said she was very pleased the Foreign Office had changed the travel warning for British tourists.

Dubai has recently been encouraging British tourists to visit by offering free transit visas as well as free children visas every summer.

Flights to the UAE destination can be as cheap as £350 return when travelling abroad on holiday.

However, a number of tourists have come into trouble due to the strict laws.

Jamie Harron was sentenced to a month in prison last year for drinking alcohol, after being accused of indecently touching another man.

The man said he touched his hip in the bar, something Mr Harron said happened when he tried to walk past while carrying drinks.

Despite paying £32,000 in legal fees and losing his job, the British tourist said he would go back to the country.

A passenger was jailed in Dubai after drinking alcohol on a flight when travelling to the country on holiday with her family, but is it against the law to do so?

A passenger flying from the UK to Dubai was jailed after landing when she drank a glass of wine on the flight.

Dr Ellie Holman, 44, from Kent, was travelling with her four-year-old daughter when she was given a glass of alcohol on an Emirates flight.

When she landed, she was jailed due to public intoxication.

But is it against the law to drink on flights when travelling to Dubai?

Flights to and from Dubai will often serve alcohol, such as Emirates and Etihad.

Some flights will be dry depending on the carrier, and which country it is based such as Kuwait Airways and Egypt Air who do not serve alcohol.

While it is not banned to drink onboard if it is served, it is illegal to be drunk in public in Dubai, also known as public intoxication.

The Foreign Office warns: “You should be aware that it is a punishable offence under UAE law to drink or be under the influence of alcohol in public.

“Passengers in transit through the UAE under the influence of alcohol may also be arrested.”

This means, if a passenger has landed after having had an alcoholic drink, they could be breaking the law if alcohol is found in the blood in tests.

Drinking in Dubai is not prohibited across the country, but alcohol must only be confused in licensed venues such as hotels and restaurants.

Being drunk and disorderly is against the law and could see long jail sentences.

Dr Holman, who has been in jail since July, could face being imprisoned for a year.

She said my passport remains confiscated until the case is settled, which I have been told will take at least a year.

It has reportedly cost her more than £50,000 in legal fees and missed work: My practice is closed. All our savings have gone.

A number of tourists have been jailed or fined while on holiday in Dubai for breaking local laws.

Jake Harron, 27, from Scotland, was arrested for public indecency last year after putting a hand on a man’s hip in a bar while walking past with a drink

He was sentenced to three months in prison after spending £32,000 in legal fees, which was eventually overruled.

Caren Harmon, 43, was detained in the country last year after being accused of taking illegal drugs on the flight.

She was subjected to a number of tests, which were found to be negative and she was released after three and a half hours.

Jamie Harron, 27, from Stirling in Scotland, has had his passport taken away from him and faces a three year sentence over the allegations that he touched a businessman’s hip in a bar in Dubai.

The electrician has been convicted and sentenced in advance of his trial on public indecency for drinking alcohol in the Alcohol free zone.

A spokesman for prosecution service in Dubai said: On the drinking charge, he has been sentenced to a month in jail, fined 2,000 dirhams (£412) and will be deported.

His next appearance on the public indecency case is on October 22.

Mr Harron has admitted that he placed his hand on a man’s hip to ensure that they would not bump into each other and spill their drinks.

However, he has said it was a cultural misunderstanding and he has denied indecency.

Following the incident in the bar, he was arrested and jailed for five days before being released on bail.

Mr Harron has been stuck in Dubai for the last three months and spent more than £32,000 in expenses and legal fees in a bid to resolve the issue.

Mr Harron said: I never knew how much stress I could endure until this happened and the waiting game is the worst.

Radha Stirling, CEO of Detained In Dubai, the British-based NGO who is leading the campaign to help Jamie, said: Jamie's case is not about knowing the law. He followed the law and has witnesses to support him.

This is a case of false and spiteful allegations being made against Jamie and the way that Dubai authorities have responded.

The complainant in this case has no evidence of any crime being committed but Jamie has been stuck in the UAE for more than three months.

Regarding the alcohol charges, of course, he was drinking, everyone was.

He was in a licensed bar. Informing tourists of the law does not help, when the entire enforcement system in the UAE needs an overhaul.

His father, Graham, said: We can't believe that this nightmare has gone on for three months. Jamie is a good boy. He has never been a problem and never in trouble.

We are a very close family and it is killing us to think of him spending even three nights in jail, let alone three years.

Mr Harron had been working in Afghanistan and was on a two-day stopover in Dubai when the incident happened.

British government warned tourists flying to Dubai not to drink alcohol on flights or they risk jail after a mum was locked up for having a glass of wine on a journey to the United Arab Emirates.

The warning, which came on the UK in the United Arab Emirates Facebook page, warned Britons it is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public - including when transiting through the UAE.

The British Consulate said that people should take care to respect local customs and behave respectfully when consuming alcohol.

The warning also said: If caught carrying or drinking alcohol without a licence or with alcohol in your blood, you can be arrested.

It is a punishable offence to be under the influence of alcohol in public - including when transiting through the UAE.

It can result in custodial sentences and/or a fine.

They told the UK expats that they would need to apply for a licence before they can drink alcohol, which only non-Muslims and non-tourists are able to obtain.

Millions holiday in the UAE every year and they should not be put in harms way by Emirates and other airlines and suffer like I and my family did.

Either the UAE will need to reform their laws urgently, or the airlines will need to update their policy to ensure the safety of customers.

The travel advice says: The UAE is a Muslim country. Laws and customs are very different to those in the UK. You should respect local traditions, customs, laws and religions at all times. There may be serious penalties for doing something that might not be illegal in the UK.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Emirates And Etihad Cancel Flights Due To Typhoon Mangkhut

Emirates and Etihad have cancelled flights to and from Hong Kong as the world’s strongest typhoon of the year makes its way to the Asian city.

Passengers travelling to and from the Philippines and China from today until Tuesday could also expect some delays.

The Dubai-based carrier said that flights EK384 (Dubai to Hong Kong) and EK385 (Hong Kong to Dubai) have been cancelled on September 16. Passengers flying between Dubai and Bangkok are not affected.

The airline also advised that there could be delays on Emirates flights to and from Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Cebu and Clark on September 16, 17 and 18.

Customers are advised to check their flight status and to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting - Manage Your Booking - to receive the latest updates, the airline said in a statement..

Emirates apologizes to its customers for the inconvenience caused. The safety of our customers and crew is of utmost importance and will not be compromised.

Etihad has also confirmed that flight EY834, which was scheduled to operate from Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong on September 15, has been cancelled.

As a result, the inbound service, EY833 on 16 September, from Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi, has also been cancelled.

Guests booked on these flights are being assisted with their travel arrangements and being rebooked onto the next available flights, the airline said.

We apologise for any inconvenience this cancellation has caused, and we remain committed to offering the highest level of service to our guests. As always, safety remains the airline’s number one priority.

The super typhoon roared through the Philippines on Saturday and is now heading towards Hong Kong.

Flights cancelled:

* EK384 – Dubai (DXB) - Bangkok (BKK) – Hong Kong (HKG) (Passengers travelling from Dubai to Bangkok will not be affected)

* EK385 – Hong Kong (HKG) - Bangkok (BKK) - Dubai (DXB) (Passengers travelling from Bangkok to Dubai will not be affected)

* EY 833 – Abu Dhabi to Hong Kong and Hong Kong to Abu Dhabi


Tourism Observer

USA: Quarantined Plane At Kennedy Airport With Ill Passengers From Dubai.

Muntaz Alli was on his way to visit his cousin when the Emirates flight he was traveling on was quarantined at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport after numerous passengers fell ill while arriving from Dubai early Wednesday.

The Guyana native, 30, says that his journey began in Saudi Arabia, and when he boarded the aircraft for his connecting flight from Dubai to New York, he sensed something was off.

Quite a few passengers were showing symptoms of sickness. Coughing, he said. Even the guy next to me, in the economy, lower (level), he was coughing and I knew something was wrong with him.

He said the flight departed as scheduled, however. It wasn't until about half an hour before they started their descent to JFK that the pilot announced there were a few ill people on board, Alli recals.

It wasn't alarming on the flight until half an hour before we started to descend, because we didn't know what was going on, he says. Before that, it was a normal flight.

Passengers were told a medical team would come to the aircraft and no one could leave. That's when things became a little chaotic, Alli said.

The crew had a rough time to control people because usually when the aircraft comes to a stop, everybody gets up to get their overhead bags, he said.

After landing, Alli said the flight crew was dismissed, leaving passengers unattended for about a half hour until medical teams boarded to perform exams, taking the sick people off board first.

I saw a bunch of police cars and ambulances start to surround us. We had no idea what was going on until we saw from the televisions in the plane that we were on CNN, he said. And that's when we knew how serious this was.

Forms were then passed out to gather passengers' medical information before they could exit the plane. The forms came from the Centers for Disease Control and were titled - Passenger Locator Information Page.

Alli says passengers were on the plane for about 3 and a half hours before anyone was allowed out.

I was worried about getting sick. I became worried when they started to share that form to everyone and they're like, You're not getting off the plane until you fill that out and until you're being tested, he said.

Alli's theory? The sickness may have been brought on board by flu infested passengers coming from Saudi Arabia.

Not only has there been increased traffic in the area due to the Hajj, an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca that ended in late August, but there have also been reports of flu outbreaks.

Alli, who was originally traveling from Saudi Arabia before getting on the flight in Dubai, said he saw other passengers were doing the same, including the coughing man who was next to him.

There were Somalis on the flight, he said. They all came from Saudi Arabia I think too, they were at the Hajj.

He added, I'm guessing the others were probably from the same group. So it was them who probably came with a flu or whatever it was and it spread.

Although food was served during the flight, Alli does not believe that's what caused the illness.

I didn't see anybody vomit, but you don't know if they went to the washroom, he said.

With hundreds of passengers on Emirates Flight 203 from Dubai to New York off the plane and evaluated, health officials will try to pinpoint the cause of the illness that sent 10 passengers to the hospital and left dozens of other passengers reportedly feeling sick.

The investigation of what went wrong will involve the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and state, local and airport officials.

Officials will zero in on passengers on the Airbus A380 superjumbo jet who got sick as well as those who didn't to try to determine the source of the illness, according to Dr. Robert Amler, dean of New York Medical College’s School of Health Sciences and Practice and a former CDC chief medical officer and New York Regional Health Administrator.

This is really medical detective work, he said.

Among the questions that will be asked, Amler said:

- Were the passengers who went to the hospital seated in a particular section of the plane or spread throughout the plane?

- What did the affected passengers eat on the plane?

- At what point in the long flight did they get sick? And did they all get sick at once or was it gradual?

In a disease investigation of any kind, you begin with trying to say what is common on the sick and still was rare among the well?

The early signs point to flu symptoms, according to a spokesman for New York Mayor Bill de Blasio.

The CDC reported that many passengers complained of cough and fever.

Investigators will pay special attention, of course, to test results from passengers who ended up in the hospital. The airline identified three passengers and seven crew members sick enough to be sent to the hospital.

The mayor's office said it identified 19 ill passengers, with nine refusing medical attention.

The results of those tests can also be very, very helpful, Amler said.

Is this some kind of infection? Is this some kind of toxic exposure to some chemical in the plane? Could this be some kind of mold exposure, or some other kind of food or water borne exposure?

The good news, Amler said, is that officials are trained on how to investigate these situations. There are regular drills.

This kind of scenario is a well rehearsed one, he said. Every member of the team is going to know what their expectations are.

Amler said the investigation is not likely to drag on.

Typically after a few days they should be getting their arms around at least the most likely scenario, he said.

After Flight 203 landed, the plane was taken to a location away from the terminal at New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport, according to a statement from the CDC.

Medical personnel from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention boarded the aircraft to evaluate the situation and provided immediate assistance before passengers deplaned and were processed by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

By early Wednesday afternoon, Emirates had its A380 back and announced a three hour delay on the return flight to Dubai.

In more severe cases of contamination, an airliner or cruise ship might be held longer in quarantine and subject to additional cleaning and inspection.

The airline also did not reply to scattered questions about cleaning posted on Twitter after the airline said it had the plane back and would only delay, not cancel, the scheduled return flight from New York to Dubai later Wednesday.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Emirates Signs Code-share Agreement With Trenitalia

Emirates announced on Wednesday a code-share agreement with Trenitalia, Italy’s national railway company, allowing Emirates customers to visit new destinations across Italy.

Travellers can use one ticket to fly on Emirates and then reach other Italian cities by train.

Emirates currently flies to four Italian cities; Milan, Rome, Venice, and Bologna.

Customers can book their code-share trips through Emirates’ website and use their ticket to then travel by train.

First and Business class passengers will automatically be booked in First Class on Trenitalia’s trains.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Emirates Increases From 3 To 5 Flights A Week To Luanda, Angola

After cutting flights to Luanda in 2014 and 2017, Emirates has announced that they are to resume additional weekly flights to the airport from Dubai International.

Starting from July 1, frequencies will increase from three to five flights per week, with daily services to be launched by the Winter timetable this year.

The flights will be operated by the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which will feature eight seats in First Class, 42 in Business as well as 310 in Economy, offering up to 720 seats extra per week.

The new flights will also offer up to 23 tonnes of cargo per flight, which will give more opportunities to local businesses to import and export goods into the country.

Passengers from Luanda will be able to take advantage of the connectivity of Emirates’ portfolio, offering 35 destinations in the Middle East, 18 in Asia and more than 20 across the Americas and Australia.

As a country rich in resources, Angola has a lot to offer global trade and we have recognized a need to enhance our capacity to enable greater connectivity between our network and Luanda.

We remain committed to serving our customers in Angola with not only advanced aircraft but also more innovative product and service options, said Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Africa.

Reinstating these flights and growing our service to a daily operation, will benefit trade links, boost investment and will contribute to the economy by promoting business and supporting Angola’s supply chain, Mr. Abbas emphasized.

EK793 will depart from Dubai at 0955 local and arrive in Luanda at 1440 local. EK794, the return flight will depart from Luanda at 1815 local and arrive in Dubai for 0500 local the next day.

For the daily services in the winter, EK793 will depart Dubai at 1010 local and arrive in Luanda for 1510 local, with the return flight, EK794, departing Luanda at 1815 local and arriving in Dubai at 0455 local the next day.

Emirates’ relationship with Luanda is entering its 9th year, having launched services in August 2009 using their Airbus A330-200 Aircraft.

December 2014 saw the carrier increase the services to daily. Three years later due to resource optimisation, they reduced the flight frequencies down to three weekly.

Overall, it is good news for Luanda as they can now reinstate the flights that previously existed and continue on the expansive growth that both the airport and the airline wants to provide to fliers.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Emirates Has Increased Jeddah Flights To Serve The Umrah Season

Emirates has today announced that they will be adding up to 24 extra flights between June 12 and June 24 for the busy season of Umrah.

These flight additions will add up to 10,000 additional seats in overall capacity over the period of Umrah, with travelers from Pakistan, North Africa, the US, the UK and South Africa all expected to travel to Jeddah for this event.

They will be operating a 777-300ER for these extended operations, with configuration offerings currently unclear at this moment in time. The additional flights will help accommodate more convenient travel through Dubai during the Umrah season, which starts in Ramadan and concludes in July.

The services will run directly in line with the scheduled services to Jeddah, which are currently operated on a thrice-daily basis.

Adil Al Ghaith, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations for Gulf, Middle East and Iran said: Performing Umrah during the month of Ramadan is a significant experience for Muslims and Emirates is helping to make the journey more seamless through convenient connections for the thousands of pilgrims looking to travel during this time.

We thank the Saudi Arabian government and authorities for their support to introduce these extra frequencies during Umrah season.

Emirates’ is well-suited to the Umrah season and Ramadan, especially with their award-winning ice system which features special religious programming as well as popular regional entertainment options.

The airline’s content, which is significantly diverse offers up to 3,500 channels of entertainment, 238 of those being Arabic channels, which features movies, TV shows, music and audio.

Two of the three scheduled daily flights are operated by Airbus A380s, with the other daily service operated by a Boeing 777-300ER.

This fourth additional service will mean that they have balanced their capacity options across their Airbus and Boeing aircraft.

It will also be useful for the carrier to use, especially at a time when they have been storing aircraft, as well as it may encourage the airline to bring some of the stored aircraft out to help cater for demand.

Overall, this capacity increase is good news for those that attend Umrah as there is less stress about guaranteeing their flights on a more secure basis.


Tourism Observer

Governments Urged To Release $5bn Airline Revenues, Venezuela, Angola, Sudan, Bangladesh And Zimbabwe

Countries from Angola to Venezuela owe nearly $5 billion (Dh18.4bn) in local ticket sales to international airlines including Lufthansa, Air France-KLM and Emirates as the governments struggle with currency controls.

The total amount of funds blocked by 16 countries, mainly Venezuela, Angola, Sudan, Bangladesh and Zimbabwe, has dropped 7 per cent at the end of 2017 compared to a year ago, the International Air Transport Association said.

The industry body renewed calls to the governments to respect international treaties and allow foreign airlines to repatriate these unlocked revenues.

In Venezuela’s case we do not see in the short run any solution frankly, to be realistic, but we will not give up, Alexandre de Juniac, director general of IATA, said in a media briefing at the conclusion of the IATA annual meeting in Sydney.

Airlines have been struggling to get ticket revenues out of oil dependent countries such as Angola, Africa’s second-biggest oil producer, after a 2014 collapse in crude oil prices dried up foreign reserves of dollars, euros and major currencies.

In 2017, Emirates scaled back its five weekly flights to Angola’s capital Luanda to three citing difficulties in repatriating funds.

Venezuela alone owes $3.78bn to international airlines, followed by Angola where about $386 million remain blocked.

Sudan is withholding $170m, followed by Bangladesh with $95m and Zimbabwe with $76m, Iata said.

Venezuela, which has more oil than Saudi Arabia and was once one of the richest economies of Latin America, is now plagued with shortages in basic goods from food to antibiotics.

The sharp drop in oil prices in 2014 has led to an economic downward spiral in the country.

Inflation exceeded 2,400 per cent in 2017 and would worsen in 2018, the International Monetary Fund estimated.

Mr de Juniac said a solution is unlikely soon in Venezuela, given its deepening economic crisis, but remains hopeful for progress in other countries.

We are encouraged by the recent developments in Nigeria and Angola, and hope other states will also move quickly to address blocked funds, he said.

Egypt has already paid in full its obligations to international airlines, while a $600m backlog in Nigeria was cleared and Angola released $120m from the peak of more than $500m it owed, Iata said.


Tourism Observer

UAE:Emirates Starts Scheduled A380 Flights Onto Dubai-Hamburg Route

Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has recently announced it will introduce the first scheduled commercial Airbus A380 service to Hamburg.

To commemorate the inaugural arrival in Hamburg on October 29, the A380 will be deployed on the morning service (EK059/EK060), while from October 30, the A380 will be regularly deployed on the afternoon service (EK061/EK062).

The deployment of the iconic double decker aircraft will represent a capacity increase of over 22 per cent on the route.

With a total of 6,090 weekly seats in each direction, Emirates will offer business and leisure travellers from the North of Germany an even greater choice of travel options to Dubai and to over 150 destinations beyond, highlighting Hamburg’s importance as part of the airline’s global network.

With its existing multiple daily A380 services to Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf, Emirates will be operating all German gateways with its A380 flagship aircraft.

Emirates’ Airbus A380 aircraft serving the Dubai-Hamburg route will offer high levels of comfort and high quality service.

a total of 516 seats in a three-class configuration, with 426 spacious seats in Economy on the main deck, 76 fully flat bed seats in Business and 14 First Class Private Suites on the upper deck.

The Emirates A380 is renowned for its First Class shower spas as well as the onboard lounge for First and Business Class passengers, arguably the most popular social spot at 40,000 feet

Passengers in all classes enjoy free Wi-Fi to stay in touch with family and friends and Emirates’ multi-award winning ‘ice’ in-flight entertainment with up to 3,500 channels of movies, TV programmes, music and podcasts on the industry’s biggest personal screens in each class of travel.

First and Business Class passengers also benefit from a complimentary chauffeur service as well as access to Emirates’ global network of airport lounges, including a 900-square-metre lounge facility at Hamburg Airport.

We are excited to finally bring our Airbus flagship home and see Hamburg join the other 48 destinations we currently serve with the A380, said Volker Greiner, Emirates vice president North and Central Europe.

The Emirates A380 is an iconic aircraft that continues to excite our customers and set the benchmark for travel comfort in commercial flying.

We look forward to offering the award-winning Emirates A380 experience to our customers flying from Hamburg.

The switch to the A380 offers a total of 1,120 additional seats per week in each direction, meeting a growing demand from travellers on the route and demonstrating our commitment to Hamburg.

Enabling an increase in passenger numbers will also result in additional tourism revenues for Hamburg and its wider region, which in turn will mean boosting the local economy and job creation.

Emirates has been a fixed component of our operations and a reliable partner for 12 years now, commented Michael Eggenschwiler, CEO of Hamburg Airport.

Demand has been high on the direct route to the hub in Dubai, now served with two daily flights, from the very beginning.

The fact that Emirates is now also deploying the A380 for scheduled operations at Hamburg Airport is a logical consequence of the consistently high load factor on the Dubai flight.

For passengers, this means even more comfort and an even better product offering. The decision is a clear commitment to Hamburg.

As Hamburg becomes the 49th destination on Emirates’ global network to be served by its highly popular A380 aircraft, passengers travelling from Hamburg can enjoy a seamless A380 to A380 experience via Dubai to Auckland, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Mauritius, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Taipei, Tokyo and many more.

This year marks the 10th year of Emirates’ A380 operations.

The airline is by far the largest Airbus A380 operator on the planet.

With a current 103-strong A380 fleet and an order backlog for 59 additional aircraft combined, Emirates’ commitment to the A380 programme is worth over $60 billion.

All Emirates A380s are being fitted at Airbus in Hamburg including significant cabin interior work and final livery, and are being delivered from Hamburg.


Tourism Observer,

MEXICO: Emirates To Commence Flights To Cancun

The Mexican government has reached an agreement that will soon see a United Arab Emirates plane land on Mexican soil.

The announcement was made by the Secretary of Tourism, Marisol Vanegas and Lizzie Cole, representative of the Tourism Promotion Council of Quintana Roo who say that the Emirates flight would bring the Dubai market to the Mexican Caribbean.

While Lizzie Cole points out that there are no visitor figures available from the Middle East, Arab princes have vacationed in the region.

The new flight, which is expected to begin this year, will be a luxury flight from Dubai to Mexico City and eventually, to Cancun.

We know that this is a very special tourism niche that requests certain requirements in terms of treatment, food, culture and we are preparing ourselves.

Dubai is very important because it is a hub, so this flight, will allow us to access tourism from many other countries including India, she explained.

The news came as Mexico participated in the Arabian Travel Market 2018 in Dubai and was visited by His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, governor of Dubai, during the opening of the largest commercial travel event and tourism in the region.

Emirates has 159 destinations to 85 countries and transports more than 59 million passengers per year from its hub in Dubai.

Last year, the company expressed interest in flying Dubai to Mexico City to Cancun, however legalities delayed the initiation of these new flights.


Tourism Observer

UAE: Flydubai To Commence Direct Flights To Helsinki From 11 October 2018

Flydubai has announced the launch of direct flights to Helsinki.

The daily service will start from 11 October 2018. Flydubai becomes the first airline to offer a year-round service between Dubai and Helsinki.

The carrier will operate the new route on its brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft with flat-bed in Business Class and enhanced Economy Class offering.

The Helsinki route will be code shared with Emirates as part of the Emirates’ and Flydubai’s partnership.

Dubai airlines reveal strong passenger numbers for first six months of tie-up.

Emirates and flydubai revealed on Monday strong passenger numbers for the first six months of their partnership.

The first codeshare flights began at the end of October and between November 2017 and this March, over 400,000 passengers have taken advantage of the partnership and more than 250,000 passengers have already planned their trip for the year ahead, a statement said.

The partnership initially began with codeshare flights to 29 cities, and this has since expanded to meet growing demand.

Emirates currently flies to 141 passenger destinations.

Last year, the airline launched new passenger routes to Newark via Athens, Zagreb and Phnom Penh, and later this year, Emirates will begin services to London Stansted and Santiago de Chile.

flydubai currently flies to a total of 97 destinations, 80 of which are not served by Emirates, bringing the total combined network offering to 206 unique destinations.

Both Dubai-based airlines said they will continue to offer customers greater choice and flexibility across their networks, with codeshares to more than 90 destinations today.

New codeshare flights recently launched include Krakow, Dubrovnik and Kinshasa with more destinations expected in the coming months such as Catania from June 13, Thessaloniki from June 15 and Helsinki from October 11.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saaed Al Maktoum, chairman and CEO of Emirates Group and chairman of flydubai, said: We’re really pleased with how well the Emirates and flydubai partnership is going – based on bookings and the feedback from our customers and trade partners.

We have seen a strong demand for travel on combined Emirates-flydubai itineraries from Europe and the United States to the Middle East and West Asian destinations.


Tourism Observer

TURKEY: Somalia “one of our most profitable destinations worldwide " Turkish Airlines

In five years, Turkish Airlines has nearly tripled the number of destinations it flies to in Africa.

Turkish Airlines operating out of Istanbul on the edge of the Middle East, isn’t the only carrier in the region looking to find gold on the continent.

By the end of October, Flydubai, will operate 14 flights a week to Zanzibar and Tanzania, increasing capacity to East Africa by 133 percent. Since 2014, it has added 12 destinations to its network in Africa offering 80 flights per week.

Also during October, Etihad Airways has announced it will add seven weekly flights to Egypt as well as an additional one to Nigeria.

Emirates too is considering restoring capacity to Nigeria after cutting its four times weekly service last year, owing to a decline in the value of the Nigerian Naira.

Meanwhile, outside of the UAE, Oman Air has signed a codeshare agreement with Kenya Airways after curtailing weekly services to the country in 2004.

Resurgent economies across the continent are the primary factor in the increase in demand for travel across Africa.

Nigeria’s GDP growth rate for instance is expected to double this year, while weaknesses seen in the Egytian pound owing to a contraction in the supply of the dollar are also being seen to abate.

Currency weaknesses across Africa were cited as a key factor toward Emirates curtailing frequencies in Nigeria last year, according to president Tim Clark.

This year, tourist arrivals from Cairo, Abu Dhabi’s largest traffic market, are scheduled to increase to 6 million passengers in 2018 from 5 million in 2016.

And demand for air travel across Africa is expected to increase well beyond IATA’s estimated global traffic growth rate of 4.7 percent.

The trend has allowed a Turkish Airlines spokesperson to claim Somalia “one of our most profitable destinations worldwide,” . Almost a tenth of Turkish’s global passenger and cargo revenues now come from Africa.



Tourism Observer

SAUDI ARABIA: Emirates To Provide Extra Flights For To Cater For Hajj Season

Emirates will be operating 45 additional flights to Jeddah and 12 additional flights to Medina from 17 August until 11 September to help serve the 2 million pilgrims expected to travel to the Holy City of Mecca during Hajj this year.

These services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services to Jeddah.

The airline will also be operating its A380 to Medina which will also support the increased demand during this period.

The additional services are available to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa.

This year, top inbound destinations Emirates is expecting Hajj pilgrims to come from are Yangon, Manchester, Mauritius, Jakarta, Karachi, Lagos and Nairobi.

Adil Al Ghaith Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran said: Travelling for Hajj is a unique experience for Muslims around the world, and we expect over 20,000 pilgrims to travel with us this year. With a sizeable increase in demand for air travel during this period.

Emirates is helping to make the journey more seamless for the scores of pilgrims making their way to the Holy City of Mecca.

Whether it’s in the air or on the ground, Emirates aims to provide all its customers with the best experience in line with their faith, particularly at this significant time and important journey.

On the ground, Emirates has appointed a dedicated group of airport staff to seamlessly facilitate the passenger ground experience for Hajj. In addition, dedicated check-in counters have been set up for Hajj passengers in Dubai.

In the air, several initiatives have been planned in keeping with the values and traditions that pilgrims uphold when travelling for Hajj.

Extra provisions will be made to accommodate Hajj traveller needs such as performing ablutions, advising passengers about Al Miqat and Ihram (the phase when pilgrims enter a state of sanctity) and other arrangements that will help ease their journey.

Emirates’ award winning ice system will also feature a special Hajj video that covers safety, Hajj formalities and information about performing the Hajj pilgrimage.

Pilgrims will also be able to tune into the Holy Quran channel.

On flights from Jeddah, Hajj passengers can bring up to 5 litres of holy water (Zamzam) which will be placed in special areas in the cargo hold.

As with all Emirates flights, Hajj passengers will enjoy extra generous Emirates baggage allowance of up to 35kg in Economy Class, 40kg in Business Class and 50kg in First Class.


Tourism Observer

USA: Enforce Open Skies Agreements House Committee Urges Trump Administration

House Appropriations Committee approved the annual Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development (THUD) funding bill and report, which urges the Trump administration to explore the subsidization of three state-owned Gulf carriers – Emirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways – by the governments of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar.

The bill also calls on the Trump Administration to work with these countries to properly enforce their Open Skies agreements with the United States.

In response to the committee’s approval, the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies released the following statement:

“The House Appropriations Committee has sent a strong and clear message that the Gulf carriers’ government subsidies threaten American workers, undermine the U.S. aviation industry’s ability to compete and should not be ignored,” said Jill Zuckman, chief spokesperson for the Partnership for Open & Fair Skies. “For years, the Gulf carriers have received over $50 billion in subsidies from their government, distorting the aviation market and threatening over 1.2 million American jobs in the process. We are proud to stand with members of Congress in asking the Trump administration to enforce our Open Skies agreements and level the playing field in the aviation industry.”

In its report, the committee urges the administration to engage with the UAE and Qatar to address airline government subsidies and ensure that U.S. airlines and their workers have a fair and equal opportunity to compete.

The report also directs the administration to provide regular updates to the committee on their efforts. The text reads:

“the Department began an interagency process to solicit comment and explore whether foreign government subsidies received by some international carriers were resulting in market distortions. While the previous Administration initiated informal discussions with some foreign governments to address these subsidies, no conclusion was reached prior to the end of the Administration. The Committee strongly urges the Department to continue discussions to ensure that U.S. airline carriers and their workers have a fair and equal opportunity to compete in accordance with open skies agreements. The Committee directs the Department to provide regular updates to the Committee.”



Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com

UAE: Pilot Staff Salaries At Emirates

Emirates airlines has disclosed pilot compensation ahead of a recruitment drive to be held in South Africa, Bahrain and Singapore this month.

According to the airline, captains of A380 and B777 are offered a total monthly tax-free salary of $16,013.

This includes $11,633 a month basic salary plus average flying pay, and $4,380 a month housing allowance, or company provided housing.

Captains are given 42 day annual leave, global primary and secondary education allowance, life and accident insurance, medical and dental coverage and loss of license insurance.

Upon leaving the company, they are entitled to an end of service gratuity for an employment period of less than 5 years or provident fund payment – a long-term savings plan in which the employee contributes five percent of basic salary whilst the company contributes 12 percent paid out after five years of service.




Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com

UAE: Thai Passengers On Emirates Eligible For Free Visa

Thai passengers flying to Dubai with Emirates are now eligible for a free visa for a limited time, making it even easier for travellers to explore the Persian Gulf this summer.

Starting at Bt16,730 for economy class and Bt48,180 in business class, all Thai travellers who book return tickets from Bangkok or Phuket from today to August 14 for travel before the end of November will now qualify for the free visa worth Bt3,000.

Dubai is a popular holiday destination among Thai travellers offering family-friendly attractions, thrilling theme parks and waterparks, and incredible shopping facilities.

Vacations are wonderfully varied including shopping, walking on Jumeirah beach, to going on a desert safari or taking a sightseeing tour around traditional Dubai.

Direct flights take 6 hours and 25 minutes from Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport, and just 6 hours from Phuket International Airport, Dubai is quick and easy to get to, and the perfect destination for a short summer break.

Emirates’ premium passengers as well as Platinum and Gold Skywards members can also enjoy the premium Emirates Airport Lounge at Suvarnabhumi, ensuring an enjoyable journey from the moment they start their travel, to the moment they arrive at their destination.

The fully renovated lounge is complete with a range of comfortable leather armchairs, LED TVs, a dedicated dining area with a choice of bar seating, and an extensive menu of complimentary hot and cold gourmet buffet, featuring local and international dishes and an extensive beverage service.

Once on-board, Emirates passengers in all classes can enjoy award-winning service; gourmet cuisine; and its award-winning inflight entertainment system, ice, with more than 2,500 channels of on-demand entertainment.

The airline also offers generous baggage allowance, with up to 35kg for Economy Class and 40kg for Business Class.



Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com

UAE: Emirates And flydubai Combine In An Extensive Partnership Agreement

- Passenger benefits to include access to over 200 unique destinations, seamless travel experience and frequent flyer programmes alignment

- Partnership includes an expansive codeshare agreement, schedule alignment and network optimisation

- Passenger benefits to include access to over 200 unique destinations, seamless travel experience and frequent flyer programmes alignment

- Both airlines to continue being managed independently

Emirates and flydubai unveiled an extensive partnership which will see the two Dubai-based airlines join forces to offer customers unmatched travel options. Both airlines will continue to be managed independently, but will leverage each other’s network to scale up their operations and accelerate growth.

The innovative partnership goes beyond code-sharing and includes integrated network collaboration with coordinated scheduling. The new model will give flydubai customers seamless connectivity to Emirates’ worldwide destinations spanning six continents. For Emirates’ customers, it opens up flydubai’s robust regional network.

The two airlines will also further develop their hub at Dubai International, aligning their systems and operations to ensure a seamless travel experience through the ultra-modern airport; currently the world’s busiest for international passengers.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group and Chairman of flydubai, said: “This is an exciting and significant development for Emirates, flydubai, and Dubai aviation. Both airlines have grown independently and successfully over the years, and this new partnership will unlock the immense value that the complementary models of both companies can bring to consumers, each airline, and to Dubai.

Emirates today has a wide-body fleet of 259 aircraft, flying to 157 destinations,including 16 cargo-only points. flydubai operates 58 New-Generation Boeing 737 aircraft to 95 destinations. The current combined network comprises 216 unique destination points.

The partnership is working to optimise the networks and schedules of both airlines, to open up new city-pair connections offering consumers greater choice. Additionally, this will help both airlines feed more traffic into each other’s complementary networks. By 2022, the combined network of Emirates and flydubai is expected to reach 240 destinations, served by a combined fleet of 380 aircraft.

The Emirates and flydubai teams are working together on a number of initiatives spanning commercial, network planning, airport operations, customer journey, and frequent flyer programmes alignment.

The partnership will be rolled out over the coming months, with the first enhanced code-sharing arrangements starting in the last quarter of 2017. Further details will be communicated as they become available.

Fully owned by the Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD), both Emirates and flydubai are operated independently and under separate management teams.

The Emirates story started in 1985 when they launched operations with just two aircraft. Today, they fly the world’s biggest fleets of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, offering customers the comforts of the latest and most efficient wide-body aircraft in the skies.

Emirates inspires travellers around the world with a growing network of destinations, industry leading inflight entertainment, regionally inspired cuisine and world-class service.

flydubai strives to remove barriers to travel and enhance connectivity between different cultures across its ever-expanding network. Since launching its operations in 2009, flydubai has:
• Created a network of more than 90 destinations in 44 countries.

• Opened up 63 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai.

• Operates a single fleet type of 58 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft and will take delivery of more than 100 aircraft by the end of 2023.

• In addition, flydubai’s agility and flexibility as a young airline has enhanced Dubai’s economic development, in line with the Government of Dubai’s vision, by creating trade and tourism flows in previously underserved markets.



Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com

CHINA: Air China, Emirates Most Popular Domestic And International Carriers For Chinese Luxury Travelers

According to a new report on 2017 luxury travelers in China, travelers have visited an average of 18 countries, and take an average of 3.3 overseas trips annually, amounting to 27 days, of which tourism accounts for 69%.

These are the results of the 2017 Chinese Luxury Traveller report, issued jointlyby Hurun Report and ILTM, focusing on the behaviour and demands of China's high-end tourists, to understand and interpret the direction in which the industry is heading.

When it comes to destinations, Europe and Southeast Asia are preferred by a considerable margin. Europe of course, with its cultural heritage and picturesque natural scenery, is long-established as the destination of choice among the Chinese jet set, while Southeast Asia is more newly established, having surpassed the Americas as one of the hottest destinations for luxury travelers over the past two years.

The latter finds particular favor among the millennial generation, with a staggering 34% choosing it as their top pick, transforming it from the fourth most popular destination last year to the first.

The region's convenient geographical proximity and lush tropical climate are the factors attracting ever-increasing droves of high-end Chinese tourists.

In terms of reasons for travelling abroad, travelling for leisure remains the most common motivation, with 41%. The recent trends of polar exploration and adventure travel continued to grow in popularity, with 31% and 20% respectively.

Island travel saw the most noticeable upsurge in 2016, becoming the third most popular reason for travel at 23%, ahead of taking road trips (13%) and cruises (14%). Among millennial respondents, visiting islands was the most popular choice, with 46%.

Luxury travelers are becoming increasingly adventurous, with the growth in popularity of polar exploration a case in point.

Islands, with their balmy climates and sparkling ocean views and beaches, also hold a particularly strong allure for respondents, especially for the millennial generation.

As well as offering exciting water sport opportunities like surfing and diving for the more active, islands are also viewed as a family-friendly option which allow for a high degree of personal space.

Air China, Emirates Most Popular Domestic and International Carriers

Air China is by far the most popular domestic airline, selected by 53.9%, followed by China Southern Airlines (22.4%) and Cathay Pacific (21.9%).

Between both age categories, Air China comes out on top, earning impressive customer loyalty, with more than half of respondents ranking it the highest due to its good reputation.

For overseas airlines, Emirates and Singapore Airlines set the benchmark for luxury flight experiences, leaving their competitors trailing far behind with figures of 23% and 22% respectively.

Both airlines count cost-effective services among their main selling points.

The fact that Singapore and Dubai airports are such important hubs for flight transfers also contributes to their popularity.

Respondents have taken an average of 1.7 cruises before, although 34% have never been on one.



Tourism Observer
www.tourismobserver.com