Category: News

India’s all-time favourite budget carrier IndiGo, is about to start direct flights from Chennai to Tiruchirapalli from 1st June onwards. IndiGo assigns its 7th ATR aircraft for the new mission. Additionally, IndiGo also features same day return facility, along with four departures on its inaugural day, for the customers on Tiruchirappalli – Chennai zone. “The new flights are designed to cater to business and leisure travellers, who are constantly on the lookout for new and affordable flying options,” said the airline in a statement. “The introduction of these flights will further strengthen airline’s ATR operations, and will provide enhanced connectivity ... Read more

International travel advisories against India are “hugely biased” and “uncalled for” because crime and violent incidents in the country are only “few and far between”, said Union Tourism Minister K J Alphons. He also asserted that India was a “perfectly safe” tourist destination for foreigners and the government was making efforts to get negative advisories against the country removed. The minister said this in an interview with IANS. “Most of these advisories are hugely biased. Why is the advisory for Assam is still on Level 2? Such advisories are completely uncalled for,” the minister added. The External Affairs Ministry has been ... Read more

The Australian flag carrier Qantas is providing Qantas Points to its app users. So far about 200,000 people have been rewarded with 200 million Qantas Points.The points are generated by the airline’s own health insurance company, Qantas Assure. Points can be generated via tasks, based on a list of activities like walking with the dog, cycling to work, taking the stairs, swimming and also early morning gym activities. Additionally, the app has a Body Mass Index Calculator that gives extra 50 points for being in shape. The 200 million Qantas Points gained so far equates to over 3500 business class ... Read more

Chinese smartphone manufacturer OnePlus is all about to launch its flagship model OnePlus 6 by the end of April this year. The company has recently launched their phone’s promo via Twitter. ‘OnePlus 6 for its next flagship, 6et ready, it tweeted. The phone has similarities with i Phone X in terms of screen design. The OnePlus 6 will have a 20MP +16 MP dual rear camera with f/1.7 aperture, followed by a 20MP selfie shooter. The phone is paired with a 6GB and 8GB RAM along with a 3,450 mAh battery. The device is said to be calibrated by a ... Read more

Etihad Airways has officially opened its Etihad Eco Residence, Abu Dhabi’s first purpose-built, sustainable Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rated cabin crew accommodation. The project is the result of a unique partnership between the UAE’s national airline and the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, Masdar. The Etihad Eco Residence was inaugurated in the presence of Khaled Al Qubaisi, Chief Executive Officer, Aerospace, Renewables & Information Communications Technology (ICT) for Mubadala, by Tony Douglas, Group Chief Executive Officer, Etihad Aviation Group. Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer for Masdar, alongside senior executives from Etihad Airways and Masdar ... Read more

Emirates, looking for “motivated and service-oriented” candidates to expand its cabin crew team, will be organising open days for cabin crew recruitment in Dubai later this month. Interested candidates should attend the open days on April 13 and 28. Candidates can get details on the venue and the timing by visiting the website. Job requirements At least 21 years of age at the time of joining Arm reach of 212 cm while standing on tiptoes Minimum height of 160 cm High school graduate (Grade 12) Fluency in English (written and spoken) No visible tattoos while you’re in Emirates cabin crew ... Read more

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, on the issue of private data leak, revealed that the firm needs a few years to fix the security firewall. Mark states that Facebook’s major compilation was its idealistic nature on connecting people, “we didn’t spend enough time investing in, or thinking through, some of the downside uses of the tools,” said Mark. “I think we will dig through this hole, but it will take a few years. I wish I could solve all these issues in three months or six months, but I just think the reality is that solving some of these questions is ... Read more

Emirates, the title sponsor of the US$10 million Dubai World Cup, the world’s richest day in racing, entertained guests off the track at the airline’s hospitality suite located in the Meydan Grandstand. Celebrating the airline’s upcoming launch to Santiago de Chile– the suite brought to life all of the country’s best-known elements including its historic beauty, local charm and delectable foods. Inspiring guests to get a glimpse of Chile’s food culture, Emirates’ hospitality offered a taste of the country’s distinct regions through a selection of live food stations showcasing some popular Chilean culinary delights. Emirates will start a five times ... Read more

Public toilets are always a headache for international travellers, as they cause troubles in terms of cleanliness and functionality. Norway the Scandinavian nation, on the other hand, comes with a new mind-blowing public loo called Ureddplassen at the western coast with ultra-modern design. The lavatory is built in wave-shape which features frosted glass, that cost over 15 million Norwegian kroner. The structure further enables a picturesque view of the open sea at Gildeskål in Ureddplassen. “Ureddplassen is a place for a short break, a nice rest and a picnic, or for long nights with midnight sun or northern lights,” said, Nasjonale ... Read more

Spying on your spouse’s phone is no more a light matter in Saudi, rather it is now a criminal offence potentially punishable by a hefty fine – and a year in jail. The punishment ranges from imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year, and a fine of not more than 500,000 riyals ($133,000), or either one of these penalties in case the husband or wife are spying on the other’s phone, in order to catch a wrongful act. According to legal sources, the penalty is imposed on the husband or wife in the case of illegally accessing the other’s ... Read more

The Iranian government is planning to permanently block the messaging app Telegram over national security concerns and replace it with its own messaging app. According to Iranian press agency MNA, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, chairman of Iran’s Parliament National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, announced the ban during a radio interview. Boroujerdi said the decision to block Telegram was “made at the highest levels of government”. Boroujerdi also informed that the government would release its own messaging app later this month, citing “national security” as the reason the messaging service will no longer be accessible. He also said he hopes Iranian-made messaging apps like ... Read more

Royal Jordanian Airlines, the flag carrier of Jordan listed as the third most punctual airlines operating in the Middle East and African region. The airlines showed about 84.53 per cent on-time arrival, according to a report by FlightStats. In December 2017 the airline ranked 10th among other global carriers. “This is another achievement that adds to the compelling services and promotions, that we are offering in the Jordanian and global markets,” said Stefan Pichler, President and CEO, Royal Jordanian airlines. “Tracking our on-time performance helps us improve our operations, as we always aim for providing the best travel experience to ... Read more

The Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage (SCTNH) has announced that the regulations for tourist visas have been completed and submitted to the higher authorities for approval, said a SCTNH statement quoted by the Center of International Communication (CIC). The regulations were reviewed in a series of meetings and workshops with relevant government institutions. Beyond the governmental review, investors, tourism and transport workers, and groups of beneficiaries and service providers were also given a chance to comment. Photo Courtesy: SeeSaudi An integrated electronic system to process and record visa transactions has been developed under the supervision of a specialized ... Read more

Around one million visitors – both domestic and foreign tourists- visited the Walled City of Intramuros during the Holy Week. The Department of Tourism, Philippines and its attached agency the Intramuros Administration (IA), had arranged a series of events to promote the Walled City as a holistic faith destination in Metro Manila. “For a predominantly Catholic country like the Philippines, the Holy Week or Lenten season is a perfect time to reflect, repent and travel. We congratulate the Intramuros Administration and our Faith Tourism sector for the successful reopening of the Walled City for the Lenten season,” said Tourism Secretary ... Read more

Nirvana Travel & Tourism, the leading tour operators in UAE, bagged the ‘Best Travel Agency and Travel Company’ award, as part of the 10th edition of Arab Tourism Media Awards 2018. More than half a million votes collected through electronic voting from 14 different countries were taken into account before determining the winners for these prestigious awards. “The Arab Tourism Media Awards celebrate excellence across different sectors and bring international acclaim to the winners”, said Omar Al Ali, Executive Director Corporate Communications, Nirvana Travel and Tourism. “We are delighted and honoured to have received such a highly coveted award which ... Read more