Flydubai expands flight services

Low-cost carrier flydubai has confirmed that it is to offer new flights to Dubai from Bangladesh.

It is understood that the new route will offer four flights a week from Dubai to Chittagong, the second largest city in Bangladesh, starting on January 17th.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer of flydubai, said: "Flights to Chittagong will not only cater to the Bangladeshi workforce in the UAE, but also be instrumental in increasing trade and business between our two nations.

Flight services

Dubai shopping festival appeals to visitors

The forthcoming Dubai Shopping Festival could be a major attraction for those taking flights to Dubai.

Starting on January 20th, the 2011 event will involve more than 6,000 retail outlets and 50 shopping malls. Each participant is set to offer shoppers up to 75 per cent of goods and services during the month-long festival.

Ebrahim Saleh, festivals coordinator general and deputy chief executive officer of Dubai Events and Promotions Establishment, explained that Emirates airline is also playing a role in promoting the event by offering special travel packages to visitors.


Dubai Shopping Festival

Technology to promote Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a new application to help promote the region's wide range of attractions.

Digital marketing is set to play a key role in encouraging more people to take flights to Thailand and TAT believes the new mobile application for iPhone, BlackBerry and Android is a good way to raise the country's international profile.

Suraphon Svetasreni, the governor of TAT, explained: "We introduced the Amazing Thailand mobile application because they succeed in promoting tourism through the online market to catch up to the digital world by using digital marketing and social media marketing."

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Best time to take Flights to Sydney

The culturally and historically rich city, Sydney in New South Wales territory of Australia retains the top place in the itineraries of all those who plan holidays to Australia for the first time. Sprinkled with one of the world’s most picturesque harbour and some most gorgeous islands, engrossing landscapes and iconic destinations the city reveals an ultimate spirit of adventures and sparkling events.

Different seasons in Sydney present an assorted list of the most gaudy and vibrant festivals and events on earth, highlighting different hues of life and society in them. The stunning musical and cultural events and festivals apart from arts, food and shopping fiestas keep the city in the headlines. These festivals and events which draw domestic as well as international tourists in droves on cheap flights to Sydney have put the city in a league of its own. Summer months from December to March are considered as the best time to be in the city of Sydney. A number of festivals and events mark the beginning as well as the end of this peak travel season. Sneaking a quick look over some of these Sydney festivals during summers will help you schedule your trip easily.

Christmas at ‘The Domain’

Grab any Sydney flight tickets during the month of December and get enthralled by listening to magnificent choirs, orchestras, guest artists and of course the enchanting traditional carols in The Domain during the Christmas.

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race which is a world class yachting event on Sydney Harbour is flagged off on the Boxing Day. The race is one of the premier events that lures a number of local and international water sport enthusiasts alike.

Sydney Festival

Those who arrive on flights to Sydney in January have the country’s largest annual cultural event waiting for them. The phenomenon and thrilling Sydney festival is sure to strike your inner chords. The list of events includes New York rap, contemporary dances, burlesque circus, Russian Theatre, family programmes, and conventional indigenous arts programmes.

The Twilight at Taronga Series

Starts in January, this open-air night summer concert series in the wild surrounds of Taronga Zoo, showcases the best of Sydney in the summer. It gets over by the month of March leaving an awe-inspiring reminisces of savouring it in the stunning backdrop of Sydney Harbour for its every spectator.

Tamworth Country Music Festival

This extraordinary festival in the month of January begins with the country music and leaves its spectators on holidays to Sydney absolutely spell-bound. It brings around country performers from across the continent of Australia over a long weekend of song, festival and fun.

Chinese New Year Festival

The spectacular three weeks of thrill during Sydney Holidays in February can be experienced by joining the Chinese New Year festivities. This unique festival features some exotic history tours, dragon and lion dances, cultural exhibitions and local and international performers. Dragon Boat Races in the Darling Harbour make it a centre of entertainment each year.

Greek festival

The Greek festival of Sydney during March is another of key crowd pullers. Get acquainted with Greek culture on Australian dais and you would certainly find it incredible. The festival includes various dynamic performances representing the Greek way of life and their affluent cultural and artistic legacy.

Festivals or no festivals, Sydney holidays have always remained much in demand. The reason for this could be an endless list of attractions and activities that the city has to offer to visitors. The city has all the trappings of a perfect holiday destination suitable for honeymooners, family, adventure holiday enthusiasts, sun worshipers as well as solo travellers and back packers. Travellers start looking for bargain deals to Sydney as early as a year. Those still planning Sydney holidays must rush to book tickets as a number of airlines and travel agents may still have some discount last minute deals to the destination.

Thailand sees visitor growth

Thailand has seen a rise in tourist arrivals during 2010 as the country remains a popular destination.

According to the Daily Mail, nearly 14 million people visited Thailand in the first 11 months of the year and this could increase to 15.8 million by the end of 2010.

This is 12.6 per cent more than in 2009 despite the worldwide economic slowdown and political unrest in some parts of the country in April and May.

Those taking flights to the region also helped to boost Thailand's tourism income, with the Asian country generating a total of AU$19.1 billion in the year as visitors spent on local attractions and accommodation.

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Snow Continues to Disrupt Air Travel before Christmas

A number of holiday travellers are stranded as heavy snow continue to disrupt flight movement across Britain with London Heathrow being the worst-affected.

The ongoing chaos at Heathrow airport, which began on Saturday and resulted in the cancellation of airport’s all incoming flights on Sunday, continues even today with thousands of holidaymakers left stranded.

Airport officials warned that it could be several days before the backlog of flights can be cleared and normal operations can resume.

The past few days has been really untoward for travellers who booked their flight tickets and were looking forward to spend some quality holiday time with their families. Passengers who were fortunate enough to land up with cheap tickets on flights in this busy period were extremely crestfallen.

With numerous flights being cancelled, London Heathrow has been inundated with stranded passengers who are extremely disappointed with the crisis handling capability of BAA.

Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond promised an inquiry into the matter and acknowledged the public indignation as travel plans of thousands were ruined.

He told BBC Breakfast on Monday: "Once we have got through the problem, once we have got things moving again, then we will have to have that discussion and find out exactly what went wrong and, most importantly, what went wrong in handling passengers who were stranded.

"I think whilst people are obviously deeply upset about the inconvenience, particularly at this time of year, of having their travel plans disrupted, most of what I am hearing is a sense of outrage about the way they were then treated when they were stranded at Heathrow airport."

Airlines Grounded in UK and Europe

London Heathrow Airport has announced that it would continue to operate only 30% of flights until 0600 GMT on Wednesday in view of the ongoing conditions.

British Airways, the national airline of the United Kingdom, grounded 70 of 130 departures at Heathrow, and 89 of its 133 arrivals. The airline expects more cancellations from London's Heathrow airport.

"Severe weather continues to cause significant disruption to our operation and will do so in the run up to Christmas," the airline said in a statement released on Tuesday.

"BAA has confirmed a limited schedule of flights to and from the airport, at least until 06.00 on Wednesday 22 December," British Airways said. "We have adjusted our schedule to fit with the capacity of the airport for both flight departures and arrivals."

Ryanair, the budget airline popular for cheap tickets that operates out of Stansted Airport in England was also reported to have grounded flights at the airport on Saturday. Stansted, has been reported to be operating normally and is being used to ease off traffic at Heathrow.

Some Rewards of Booking Flights to Bangalore

Bangalore, known as the air conditioned city makes for delightful travel destination in India. Home to numerous people from other Indian cities and a sizeable expatriate community, Bangalore has a very cosmopolitan appeal. Although, Bangalore may not be a tourist hub like Goa or Rajasthan, but spending a little on Bangalore flights after netting one of the cheap flights to India, definitely treats one to certain endearing charms. Here are a few of the indulgences Bangalore has to offer.

Shopping

Anyone taking one of the flights to Bangalore will be bombarded by a slew of choices for shopping in the city. Artefacts, both traditional and modern are to be found in abundance and many visitors return with mind blowing handicrafts. The MG Road area is a happy hunting ground for picking up traditional items. Bangalore is also famed for its sandalwood products. There are plenty of malls, plazas, and shopping arcades to indulge in one’s fetish for shopping. Amongst the different shopping precincts, some of the most popular ones are Russel Market, Jayacharmarajendra Road, Jayanagar Shopping Complex, Brigade Road, and Commercial Street. The Vittal Malaya Road is an excellent place for designer clothing, while Commercial Street makes for some delightful street shopping.

Nightlife

Bangalore has earned the title, ‘Pub Capital of India’ and boasts a dynamite night scene. Pubs, bars and discos all come alive with adrenalin pumping music and adrenalin high patrons dancing the night away. As Bangalore is full of successful well off youngsters from different parts of India, the nights are full of fun and frolic. Quite often, celebrity DJs and other entertainers put up live shows in the nightclubs. Bangalore also has plenty of nightlife action for the ones seeking classical dances and other forms of traditional Indian performances. One of the best places to catch this form of action is the Chowdaiah Memorial Hall. In fact, as far as nightlife goes, it may not be an exaggeration to say that people who have invested in cheap flights to India and are looking ahead for a roaring nightlife should definitely keep Bangalore in mind.

Food

Bangalore is the confluence of humanity from different parts of India. It is a city where one can dig into some of the best of diversified Indian as well as overseas cuisines like North Indian, South Indian, Continental, Chinese, Japanese, and Thai. Be it tangy street food or the more refined fare dished out at five star hotels and restaurants, Bangalore also fits the taste and budget of every foodie. Anyone visiting Bangalore should definitely try out local saccharine delicacies such as Shavige Payasa, Kardantu, Obbattu Gokak, Dharwad Peda, and Chiroti. Amongst the different places for eating out, one of the most popular haunts is Rice Bowl.

Sightseeing

Bangalore also does not disappoint in terms of sightseeing. One can easily spend a week checking out the numerous crowd pullers dotting the city. Here are some of the popular hot spots.

The Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan

This captivating double storied ornate structure in teak with elaborate arches, balconies, and pillars was an erstwhile home to the gigantic historical figure, Tipu Sultan. The palace also doubles up as a museum, showcasing exquisite artefacts dating back to the regime of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. There are four staircases connecting the balconies and upper chambers with the ground level. The central area is a huge hall leading into four smaller rooms. These rooms are believed to be women’s quarters or Zenana. Intricately designed floral motifs in mute warm colours were used for painting the walls and wooden ceilings of the summer palace.

Other Sightseeing Gems

• Bangalore Palace
  
• Bull Temple & Dodda Ganesha Temple
  
• Cubbon Park
  
• Government Museum & Venkatappa Art Gallery
  
• Iskcon Temple
  
• Karnatka Chitrakala parishat visual arts gallery
  
• Lalbagh Botanical Gardens
  
• Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technical Museum
  

Sharm El Sheikh Beaches to Reopen after Deadly Shark Attacks

Egypt authorities re-opened the beaches at Sharm El Sheikh that has been beleaguered by a series of shark attacks over the last two weeks.

The beaches were closed after a flurry of attacks over the past week that resulted in the death of an elderly German woman. Similar accidents took place last week that involved three Russian tourists in different incidents.

"We have allowed the beaches to reopen on condition hotel owners adhere to new controls to ensure the safety of foreign tourists while diving or swimming," South Sinai Governor Mohamed Abdel Fadil Shousha told reporters.

Continuous sea patrols as well as setting up of watchtowers along the beach shoreline are few measures that the authorities hope to implement as soon as possible. Swimmers are also required to remain within designated areas and refrain from feeding sharks.

Swimming, snorkelling and diving enthusiasts who were lucky enough to get cheap tickets on flights to the region were not so lucky after all as they faced disappointment after loosing out on the opportunity to enjoy at one of the most famous diving spots in the world.

The lifting up of the ban is indeed great news to such tourists along with local shop keepers who have witnessed a lull in the business since the attacks took place.

Egypt Fears Tourism Downturn

Sharm El Sheikh is a popular beach resort that entices a number of adventure tourists from all across the world to book cheap flights and travel to the region. The destination is particularly popular among Britons as a winter sun holiday spot. In fact, cheap airline tickets to the region are hunted by several budget travellers who seek affordable flights. Being such a popular tourist destination, several airlines offer daily flights to Sharm El Sheikh from UK.

However with such ghastly and terrible shark attacks, Egypt fears that it might loose its crown of being one of the world’s best winter sun destinations. The figure of tourists landing up at the Sharm El Sheikh International Airport has gone down a bit as tourists from different parts of the world are taking a stock of the situation before buying tickets for flights to the region.

Illegal Shark Feeding behind Attacks

Experts believe that illegal feeding might have prompted killer shark attacks. They reckon that shark attacks are most possibly a result of humans upsetting the environmental balance in the region.

“It is safe to say that the situation where you have a clump distribution in attacks, occurring after another in a limited geographical distribution, is very rare indeed,” George Burgess, who is the head of the International Shark Attack File, told AFP, adding that the unusual behaviour of the sharks was possibly the result of human action.

Director of South Sinai Conservation, Mohammed Salem also told AFP that illegal shark feeding is the most possible cause for attacks.

Etihad Airways Inaugurates Luxury Lounge at Manchester Airport

Etihad Airways, UAE’s national airline, has launched a premium class lounge at the Manchester Airport as a part of its continued commitment to the North West England.

Etihad’s Pearl Business Class travellers were able to enjoy the services and amenities of the premium lounge after an opening ceremony that was hosted by Manchester City Football Club’s Manager, Roberto Mancini; Garry Cook, MCFC Chief Executive; and Mike Summerbee, MCFC ambassador.

The Manchester Airport’s new premium lounge follows the roll-out of similar lounges in Abu Dhabi, London and Frankfurt. Each of these lounges portrays the airline’s distinctive style, along with excellent ambience and excellent quality. Manchester Airport’s lounge boasts of a specially designed gallery that showcases memorabilia of the Manchester City Football Club.

With Etihad Airways’ business class travellers enjoying free limousine transfers to and from the airport and now the wonderful amenities of a stylish lounge, the airline makes sure that premium class ticket buyers are comfortable throughout their journey.

Etihad Airways has been operational in Manchester since 2006 and provides connecting cheap flights from the city to Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow through its code share partner, bmi. The airline also operates flights from Manchester to Isle of Man, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Southampton and Inverness with Flybe.

Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, Peter Baumgartner stated in company’s press release, “Manchester has always been an important market for Etihad and the ties between Manchester and Abu Dhabi have never been stronger.”

Mr Baumgartner further stated, “This latest development is testament to our commitment to the North West of England, and to the ever-growing business and leisure travel demand in and out of the region. We are very proud to be able to offer Etihad Pearl Business Class guests in Manchester this amazing lounge.”

The Premium Lounge - Amenities & Services

The stylish lounge at the Manchester Airport is a spread out on more than 300 metres and features some of the finest business services and amenities. The lounge has incredible dining facilities with a selection of international cuisines and a state of the art business centre with individual workstations. The lounge additionally features a family room; a relaxation area incorporating comfortable leather chairs; luxurious bathrooms and shower facilities for passengers boarding flights from the airport; and a prayer room. Etihad’s Pearl Business Class Lounge moreover offers astounding and expansive views over the airport’s taxiway and runway.

Etihad’s other initiatives in the Region

Earlier this year, Etihad Airways announced a massive increase in the airline’s capacity in North West England, which led to an availability of more than 2,000 additional seats per week on the route. The increased number of seats has turned out to be really beneficial for holiday travellers looking for tickets on cheap flights as well as for business travellers who seek premium class tickets.

Johannesburg – a great place for those seeking LGBT pursuits

‘Queer Johannesburg’ tours

These run by Gay and Lesbian Archives (Gala) are the guided tours of Johannesburg which are efforts of such associations to reveal the vast and diverse homosexual heritage of the city to its visitors. The city offers all the necessary trappings if you are seeking Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT) pursuits. So if you are planning a trip to the city then you must know that although flights to Johannesburg operate from all major UK airports, one should book them much in advance to grab cheaper fares.

LGBT – Places of Interest in Johannesburg

Begin your tour of Johannesburg by exploring the life of gay & lesbians in Soweto Township that has a sizeable population of homosexuals who are open about their sexual preferences. The next stop in your Johannesburg tour should be Hillbrow that serves as the hub for the homosexual community in Johannesburg. One can find small flats in this township where gay & lesbians lead independent, worry-free lives away from the stifling conditions at home. Continue your guided tour of South Africa and visit gay bars & churches dedicated exclusively to the homosexual community. Do include a trip to the Constitution Hill in your itinerary, an infamous prison which housed famous personalities like Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi. Those suspected of practicing homosexuality found themselves behind the bars of this dark prison, a century ago. Thankfully gays & lesbians have equal rights under the present Constitution instituted in 1994 after the end of the Apartheid era.

General Places of Interest in Johannesburg

While in Soweto, you can also visit the Hector Pietersen Memorial that was built in the memory of a teenager, Hector who died along with several other youngsters in the famous Soweto uprising in 1976. Take a peek into history by visiting the ‘Cradle of Humankind’, a collection of stalactite caves consisting of pre-historic human fossils, which is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Buy interesting items like African masks, baskets, wooden carvings & collectibles from Johannesburg Art & Craft markets that can serve as the perfect souvenirs for your loved ones back home. To explore more shopping and entertainment options visit the glitzy malls and multiplexes of Johannesburg that offer some interesting options. If it is some fun and adventure you are looking for, then a trip to the Gold Reef City is a must.

Have a fantastic trip to South Africa & if you do not mind a bit of cold weather then you can easily find some really cheap flights to Johannesburg during winters that will help you make the most of your travel budget. Wishing you a very happy journey!!

Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Mumbai: A Hotel, A Legend and A History

Taj Mahal Palace and Tower in Mumbai is an iconic hotel that has served everyone from royalty to the common folk since its beginning in 1903. As far as five-star hotels in Mumbai are concerned, the Taj Mahal Palace is definitely in a league of its own.

An architectural phenomenon, the hotel blendes together the Moorish, Oriental and Florentine styles, and offers panoramic views of the glorious Arabian Sea. Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Mumbai is a majestic hotel that reflects the contemporary Indian influences along with stunning alabaster ceilings, elegant archways, onyx columns, hand-made silk carpets, sparkling chandeliers and a spectacular cantilever stairway.

The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai features comprehensive assortment of paintings, and is an absolute authentic showcase of genuine artefacts. From impressive Belgian chandeliers to remarkable Goan Christian artefacts, the hotel integrates an array of artistic styles and tastes.

Taj Mahal Palace Mumbai has played hosts to the likes of The Beatles, Bill Clinton, Jacques Chirac, The Duke & Duchess of Kent, The Prince of Wales, Roger Moore, Deep Purple, Hillary Clinton, and Michelle and Barack Obama.

Features and Services

One of the legendary hotels of the Orient, Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Mumbai offers amenities that are in keeping with the most rigorous global standards.

The hotel has a state of art business centre that features the very latest in hi-tech broadband wireless internet connectivity, PC workstations, laptops, portable printers and colour copying.

Jiva Spa, a blend of ancient Indian know-how with modern therapies, features the finest in Indian rejuvenation therapies like aromatherapy massages, body scrubs and wraps. An experience at the splendid Jiva Spa enables the mesmerised guests feel the essence of traditional royal wellness and therapeutic treatments.

Guests at Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Mumbai can access a range of other amenities and facilities like a swimming pool; a shopping arcade that features famous brands like Montblanc and Ravissant; and a book shop.


Accommodation

The Taj Mahal Palace has magnificently appointed suites and rooms, each festooned with original paintings and period furniture that radiate a sensation of old-world charm and elegance. These remarkable rooms and suites surely live up to the fantasy of royal splendour. The hotel’s rooms and suites include

Rooms

• Tower Wing Rooms
  
  
• Superior Rooms
  
  
• Deluxe Rooms
  
  
• Taj Club Rooms
  
  
• Luxury Suites
  
  
• Palace Wing Rooms
  
  
• Luxury Grande Rooms
  
  
• Taj Club Rooms
  

Suites

• Executive Suites
  
  
• Luxury Suites
  
  
• Grand Luxury Suites
  

Dine and Drink

Taj Mahal Palace and Tower Mumbai is way ahead of other luxury hotels in Mumbai when it comes to food and wine. The hotel features award winning eating joints ranging from casual, all-day eateries to formal, elegant dining. Guests at the hotel can look forward to a wide variety of scrumptious dishes.

The hotel offers a matchless dining experience that explores the nuances of the finest Indian and international cuisines while serving the conventional and contemporary favourites. Taj Mahal Palace’s dining and bar options include

• Aquarius
  
  
• Golden Dragon
  
  
• Harbour Bar
  
  
• La Patisserie
  
  
• Masala Kraft
  
  
• Sea Lounge
  
  
• Shamiana
  
  
• Souk
  
  
• Starboard Bar
  
  
• The Zodiac Grill
  
  
• Wasabi by Morimoto
  

Increase in international visitors to Gold Coast

There has been a rise in the level of international tourism in Australia's Gold Coast.


According to figures from Tourism Research Australia, there has been a sharp rise in visitors during the first nine months of 2010.

A total of 842,000 travellers from overseas visited the popular region, with the highest increase coming from China. Data showed there was a 19 per cent rise in Chinese travellers – totalling 114,000 overall. There was also a three per cent increase in holidaymakers taking flights to Australia from Japan.

"The Gold Coast continues to lead the recovery for the Australian tourism industry, defying state and national trends in key international visitor markets," explained Gold Coast Tourism chief executive Martin Winter.

He added: "Our ability to attract a six per cent rise in international visitors is a credit to the city's wide popularity and the positive work of our tourism businesses which are out there fighting for every tourist."

There are direct public transport links for those taking flights to Australia and arriving at the nearby Gold Coast Airport.

Australians show interest in space flights

The lure of space travel is already interesting some wannabe astronauts in Australia.


A total of ten Australian-based travel companies are currently selling tickets on a tourist flights into space organised by Virgin Galactic, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.

Sydney-based Spencer Travel revealed they sold their first ticket in 2007 to a woman paying $200,000 (£126,494) for the trip.

"Everybody wants to be [first] . . . our client is going to be in the first 100 to go," said Tina Killeen, general manager of Spencer Travel.

"Now it's a tangible and real thing . . . people are realising this is real and it's actually happening."

Virgin Galactic has starting testing glide flights and it is estimated that around 400 people worldwide have already purchased the chance to be one of the first space travellers.

The company is the idea of entrepreneur Richard Branson, who has been responsible for a number of travel companies including Virgin Atlantic who offer flights to Australia.

Hotel reports strong South African opening

A new hotel in Johannesburg has performed well, according to the Rezidor Hotel Group.


The company has opened a total of 7,200 rooms in 2010, compared to the 7,100 rooms in 2009 and 6,500 new rooms in 2008.

The Radison Blu Gautrain Hotel Sandton Johannesburg is located in the centre of the city's financial district and could appeal to those taking flights to South Africa. Guests could also be attracted by its location opposite the Gautrain Rail Station, which offers connections to Soweto, Johannesburg city centre and Tambo Airport.

Rezidor also opened new flagship properties in Milan, Latvia, Estonia and Moscow in 2010.

"Throughout the global downturn we have kept our growth pace and momentum. Moreover, we have grown in a balanced and profitable way and fully aligned with our asset-light business model," said Puneet Chhatwal, senior vice-president and chief development officer of Rezidor.

He added that the company is already developing new opportunities in Europe, the Middle East and Africa to provide an additional 20,000 rooms over the next three years.

Bangkok Airways resumes flights to India

Bangkok Airways has confirmed that it is introducing new flights to Mumbai and Dhaka in 2011.


Starting in March 2011, the airline is planning six flights per week to Mumbai from Bangkok using Airbus A319 aircraft. Capacity for the flight will be 120 seats.

The flights to Dhaka from the Thai capital will operate seven times a week and will offer 162 seats on an Airbus A320.

Nandhika Varavan, vice-president of Bangkok Airways, explained the carrier is keen to expand into the Indian market and would lead to offer flights to New Delhi and Kolkata but is facing limitations due to traffic restrictions.

She added that demand for the flights to Bangkok from Mumbai are likely to come from both the business and leisure sectors.

The fleet of Bangkok Airways currently consists of eight ATR 72-500s, six Airbus 319s and three Airbus 320s.

Low-cost airline targets Dubai

Budget carrier Nasair is planning to introduce a number of new flights to Dubai.

The Saudi-based airline announced a total of ten new weekly flights to Dubai from Riyadh and Jeddah immediately as part of the company's expansion plans.

From 2011, the airline wants to eventually increase the number of flights to 18, with the addition of a further link to Dammam.

"We have seen a marked increase in demand from passengers to travel between Dubai and Saudi Arabia, so opening up this route was a logical step in our strategic expansion plans," Sulaiman Al Hamdan, chief executive officer of National Air Services (NAS Holding).

He added that passenger figures have increased on flights to Dubai by up to 14 per cent over the past year as more travellers opt to visit the UAE.

Nasair begin flights in February 2007 and now serves offers around 450 flights per week to more than 30 destinations.

New passenger terminal for Dubai coming soon

The opening of a new airport to commercial passengers could boost the number of people taking flights to Dubai.

Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International Airport opened to cargo carriers in June and was expected to be opened to passengers by March next year. However, this could be delayed by a few months as construction continues on the new terminal and runway.

Paul Griffiths, the chief executive officer of Dubai Airports, said: "We're going to review the passenger-terminal capacity and state of construction in a couple of months' time and we'll be looking at a new date.

"We're talking months. We're not talking a huge amount of time."

It is expected the government-funded airport project could eventually handle around 160 million travellers and Dubai's largest airline, Emirates, is planning to move its operations from Dubai International Airport to Al Maktoum International Airport in the future.

The new airport is around ten times larger than Dubai International Airport.

Dubai's hotels 'appeal to every budget'

One of Dubai's main attractions is its wide range of hotels that match every budget, claims a travel expert.

According to a senior official from Deloitte, the state offers travellers hotels rooms ranging from luxury to mid-market and budget in price.

Alex Kyriakidis, global managing director of tourism, hospitality and leisure at Deloitte, told Emirates 24/7, that 60 per cent of Dubai's hotel rooms are at the high-end of the market and the remaining rooms appeal to holidaymakers looking to spend less on accommodation.

He explained this compared favourably to Abu Dhabi, where the luxury market accounts for 90 per cent of rooms.

Mr Kyriakidis explained that Dubai's tourism industry also needs to work with regional airlines to boost the number of people taking flights to Dubai.

"The more the airline industry is in partnership with the hotel industry, the more opportunities are created for people to visit their destinations in the region," added the Deloitte official.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports, recently estimated that Dubai International Airport is set to welcome more than 90 million passengers by 2020.

New flights to Sydney announced

A new airline is to offer flights to Sydney from China in 2011.

Hainan Airlines will begin three flights a week between Sydney, Shenzhen and Hangzhou on January 19th as the Australian city remains a popular destination for travellers.

"The growth in the Chinese market over the last five years has been very strong and is of increasing importance to Sydney’s tourism industry," explained Russell Balding, chief executive officer of Sydney Airport.

He added that the number of travellers from China to Sydney has risen from 2004 levels of 185,000 to 285,000 in 2009.

So far in 2010, there has been a 32 per growth in passenger numbers of flights between Australia and China compared to last year.

Hainan Airlines began operations in May 1993 and uses a fleet consisting of Boeing 737,767 and Airbus A330 and 340s. It now offers around 500 domestic and international flights and serves more than 90 cities.

South Africa to benefit from new hotels

Two new major hotels are planned for South Africa in response to strong demand.


The Rezidor Hotel Group has confirmed that it will open new developments one in Cape Town and one in the country's Kruger National Park.

It is expected that the Radisson Blu Safari Resort Kruger Park will be open for business in 2013 and will be in the southern area of the Kruger National Park and close to the Crocodile River.

"This hotel will be the first internationally branded hotel within Kruger, and will clearly strengthen the Radisson Blu brand in South Africa", explained Rezidor's president and chief executive officer Kurt Ritter.

He added that the Park Inn Cape Town Foreshore will be fully operational by the end of 2011 and it could be ideal for those taking flights to South Africa as it is located in the centre of the Cape Town's popular business district.

Last month, Rezidor announced plans to open the Radisson Blu Hotel in Dubai Downtown in May 2011.

Dubai airport sees traffic growth

Dubai International Airport handled more than four million passengers during October as it continues to see an increase in people taking flights to Dubai.

Traffic data show a total of 4,013,127 passengers passed through the airport last month - 14.8 per cent more than in October 2009 and is the second time in its history that more than four million travellers have been handled in one month.

Paul Griffiths, chief executive officer of Dubai Airports, said: "Over the past 50 years Dubai International has seen passenger numbers increase by an average 15.5 per cent annually.

"Before the end of the decade passenger numbers will approach 90 million making Dubai International the busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic."

Figures show the largest increase in passenger numbers was on flights to and from Western Europe and the Indian subcontinent.

Dubai International Airport has two departure terminals and offers e-check-in options to help reduce passenger waiting times.

Indian airline plans new flight agreement

Indian airline Kingfisher Airlines is to form a new code-share agreement with American Airlines in 2011.

The deal means that American Airlines will be able to put its code on Kingfisher Airlines domestic flights within India as well as on flights to Delhi and Mumbai from London Heathrow.

In return, Kingfisher Airlines will be able to code-share on American Airline flights to Delhi from Chicago and some services between the US and London.

"We are very pleased to announce our code-share partnership with Kingfisher, an airline that offers our customers the choice of flying to more cities throughout India and a more convenient travel experience," said Virasb Vahidi, American Airlines' chief commercial officer.

Kingfisher Airlines launched its international services in 2008 and now flies to Dubai, London, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangkok, Colombo, Dhaka and Kathmandu. The carrier also has a number of domestic services from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai.

Qantas Grounds Airbus A380 Fleet

The Qantas A380 that made a lucky escape and made an emergency landing in Singapore could have ended up exploding in the skies revealed media reports. The A380 was flying from Singapore to Sydney. Qantas has 6 Airbus A380s in its fleet and these planes use the Trent 900 engines of the London-based Rolls Royce fame. Investigators revealed that there was an oil leakage and the leaking oil caught fire. The burning oil heated up the metal parts and resulted in an explosion. Some of the flying metal debris tore through hydraulics and an engine control line of the aircraft’s wing. As a result, the pilots were no longer able to control the second wing and about fifty percent of the damaged wing’s brake flaps forcing them to make an emergency landing at Singapore aircraft, stated sources.

The situation could have had a much grimmer outcome. Taking no chances, Qantas has grounded its A380 fleet and updated its schedule for international flights. It was revealed that the airline can take as many as 7 weeks before it gives the nod to A380s to fly again. According to sources, the 6 A380s serve 50 departures every week out of a total of 613. The grounding of the flights has come as a major disappointment for travellers who had managed to land cheap flight tickets to travel aboard A380s by booking well in advance.

Passengers can take it Easy

Qantas operates a massive fleet. Besides A380s, it has 14 A330s, 26 B747s, and some 30 other aircrafts. All these will be pressed into service to ensure that there is least possible disruption of scheduled international services and passengers face the least possible inconvenience. As per the Telegraph reports, the operations of most of the international flights would be as per schedule and the domestic flights are already flying according to schedule. Qantas has stated that as long as the A380s do not resume services, passengers would be accommodated on the other flights of its vast international network.

Rolls Royce to Face the Music

According to the constant trickle of media reports, Rolls Royce, the manufacturer of the Trent 900 engines, will have to pay an astronomical amount to Airbus for the engine failure. Mr Stefan Schaffrath, the spokesman of Airbus was quoted by the Mail Online as saying ‘We will seek full financial compensation from Rolls-Royce for any costs we have to bear. We are making extra efforts to keep our production flow going and to help our customers maintain their operations. For that, we will seek full compensation’. However, Airbus also clarified that it will claim extra compensation to the extent it spends on ensuring that its customer airlines face the least possible disruption of services.

India Travel Menu

The exotic land of India with deep jungles, meandering rivers, looming mountains, time forgotten villages, haunting historical buildings, colonial architecture, countless vernaculars and excellent cuisines offers a bewildering array of exciting vacationing activities. If you are addicted to skiing and other winter sports, visit Gulmarg during December to April and at a fraction of the cost that one would incur at the Swiss Alps. Gulmarg also boasts world’s highest golf course. If beaches are your idea of fun, head to laidback Goa with its delightful Portuguese ambience or scenic Kerala. Definitely not to be missed is the world famous adrenaline pumping white water rafting on the raging currents of the Ganges at Rishikesh. This activity has seduced quite a few celebrities – Sir Edmund Hillary and Brad Pitt to name just two. With most airlines operating flights to India from Heathrow, visiting this destination is a breeze.

Step back into time at the Mathoor village of Karnataka. Here Sanskrit (supposed to be the world’s oldest language) is the language of choice. One can revisit shades of quaint colonial life at the sleepy hamlet of Jharkhand’s McCluskieganj. Watch Kamasutra coming alive in stone sculptures at Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh. The famous golden triangle tour of Delhi, Agra and Jaipur is a wonderful lesson in history. Here, one gets the opportunity to behold the architectural wonders of the awe inspiring Red Fort and the magnificent Taj Mahal. Jaipur, known as the Pink City, is jam packed with havelis, forts, and other grand remnants of India’s rich royal past.

Hill lovers may have a tough time selecting a hill destination as there are so many of them. Every hill station outdoes the other – be it Kashmir, known as the Switzerland of India, or Darjeeling with its dazzling view of KanchanJunga, supposedly the world’s second highest mountain peak. Another rare treat is the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, a riot of colourful flowers and butterflies during the summer months of June to September.

India, with scores of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, is also a boon for wildlife enthusiasts. Just some of the most famous ones are The Corbett National Park, the Sunderbans Delta with its notorious man eating tigers, the Kaziranga Rhino Sanctuary, the Kanha National Park, and the Gir Forests, home to the Asiatic Lion, which is on the verge of extinction.

With innumerable temples and pilgrimages, India also acts as panacea to the soul who seeks solace in Eastern mysticism. Every Indian city will leave you with fond memories, be it the ‘City of Joy’ (Kolkata) or ‘City of Pearls’ (Hyderabad). In fact, India may well be your best bet if you want quality but cheap holidays.