Tourism & Aviation
Tourism and aviation news — covering travel technology, airline updates, Saudi tourism developments, and hospitality innovations in the Kingdom and the region.

Seven truths about the hotel industry that the pandemic reminded us are real
By Tim Cordon, Area Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa, Radisson Hotel Group Last year gave the hospitality industry a nasty shock, but it also provided an opportunity to create a new environment in which our behaviours and decision-making can contribute to the evolution of better societies and more solidarity. As we near the […]

Milestone flight EK2021 highlights UAE’s impressive vaccination drive and readiness of its aviation industry for travel rebound
Close to 400 fully vaccinated passengers experienced Emirates’ latest innovative products and services on ground and inflight Flight supported by fully vaccinated teams on ground and inflight DUBAI, UAE, 10 April 2021: Emirates’ one-of-a-kind flight EK2021 proudly made a journey across the different emirates today, to celebrate the UAE’s remarkable progress in vaccinating its citizens and residents […]

Emirates reaffirms care for its customers with latest policy updates
Airline offers industry’s most generous ticket validity, offering customers the ability and flexibility to hold or use their ticket anytime for up to 36 months Extends complimentary multi-risk travel insurance cover for all Emirates customers Extends Emirates Skywards Tier Status and Miles validity for frequent flyers Dubai, UAE, 08 April 2021 – Emirates has announced the latest updates […]

Alstom secures five-year service contract extension for Automated People Mover System at Dubai International (DXB)
07 April 2021 – Alstom has signed a five-year extension to its contract with Dubai Airports to provide comprehensive operations and maintenance (O&M) services for the InnoviaTM APM 300 automated people mover (APM) system at Dubai International (DXB). Alstom’s APM system at Dubai International airport has consistently been a top performer. In the first five […]

Bell Intelligent Systems: An Innovation Journey with Microsoft Technology
Dubai, UAE (April 5, 2021) – Bell’s Innovation team continues to lay the foundation for autonomous vehicle management as the infrastructure for unmanned vehicle systems grows. Diving into the exciting, new world of autonomous systems technology, Bell unveiled AerOS last year, which enables companies to manage their fleet information, observe the health of their vehicles, manage throughput […]

Emirates SkyCargo becomes first air cargo carrier to deliver 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 50 destinations
Air cargo carrier transported more than 220 tonnes of COVID-19 vaccines on over 150 flights to over 50 destinations Dubai, UAE, 01 April 2021– In the run up to World Health Day (7 April), Emirates SkyCargo has become the first airline cargo carrier in the world to have transported more than 50 million doses of […]

Egypt Captivates World with Golden Pharaoh Parade
Cairo, Egypt, 3 April, 2021: Twenty-two pharaoh mummies walked the streets of Cairo on Saturday evening in a stunning royal procession from the Egyptian Museum on Tahrir Square to the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilization (NMEC) in Fustat. The event marked the official launch of NMEC. Against the backdrop of fireworks, the mummies – 18 […]

MANAGING LOST ITEMS ON AIRCRAFT NO LONGER A MILLION-DOLLAR HEADACHE WITH WORLDTRACER LOST AND FOUND PROPERTY
New solution cuts cost by 90% and significantly reduces repatriation time GENEVA – 1 April 2021 – SITA has launched WorldTracer Lost and Found Property, an artificial intelligence-enabled solution that solves a million-dollar headache for the air transport industry: how to quickly return items left behind on aircraft or in airports to their owners. Every year passengers leave millions of […]

Sabre helps Kanoo Travel develop customised technology to drive recovery in the Middle East
Region’s largest travel company extends 25-year partnership with Sabre MANAMA, Bahrain and SOUTHLAKE, Texas, March 31, 2021 – Kanoo Travel, the largest travel company in the Middle East, has extended its 25-year partnership with Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology provider that powers the global travel industry. A new multi-year agreement will see […]

Emirates becomes first airline to operate A380 to Terminal 1 at Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport
Airline’s inaugural service into new terminal operated by newest A380 with premium economy Dubai, UAE 30 March 2021: Emirates has made its first A380 touchdown at Terminal 1 in Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA), making it the first airline to operate the double-decker aircraft to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s latest aviation landmark. EK flight […]
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One Vasco partners with Collinson to offer flight delay assistance, SmartDelayTM to its customers
New flight delay assistance service is now available to One Vasco customers Collinson’s service will provide airport lounge access and a safe and comfortable space for travelers facing flight delays of more than one hour Dubai, 22nd March 2021: Collinson, a global leader in loyalty and benefits, will provide its SmartDelay flight delay assistance solution to […]

Dar Al Arkan moves actively to spread Saudi Arabian brands overseas and start works on Sidra, the first of its kind vacation and 2nd homes project in Bosnia.
A SR500,000,000 project, the biggest real estate project in the history of Bosnia. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, March 16, 2021 – Dar Al Arkan, the leading real estate development company in Saudi Arabia, has released its SR500,000,000 new luxury vacation and housing development in Bosnia for sale. The project offers the opportunity to own a second home in a […]

Fujairah Welcomes First Sustainable Development ‘Naseem Al Bahar’
UAE, March 08 2021: Rawasi Real Estate, Fujairah’s leading design-led property developer announces the launch of Naseem Al Bahar Villas. The development is the first sustainable residential project in Fujairah. The development will play an instrumental role in supporting residents in securing thoughtfully designed, beautifully finished residences in the heart of Fujairah. Naseem Al Bahar, […]

From Bad to Worse: January Passenger Demand Falls Further
2 March 2021 (Geneva) — The International Air Transport Association (IATA) announced that passenger traffic fell in January 2021, both compared to pre-COVID levels (January 2019) and compared to the immediate month prior (December 2020). Because comparisons between 2021 and 2020 monthly results are distorted by the extraordinary impact of COVID-19, unless otherwise noted all comparisons are […]

Kiwi.com partners with Sabre to expand its reach
Sabre’s robust technology and innovation roadmap to drive sustainable long-term growth for the global OTA BRNO, Czech Republic, and LONDON – March 1, 2021 – Kiwi.com, Europe’s fastest-growing* online travel agency (OTA), and Sabre Corporation (NASDAQ: SABR), a leading software and technology provider powering the global travel industry, today announced a new strategic partnership. The agreement will see Kiwi.com leverage Sabre’s well-established […]

More space and privacy for Emirates Economy Class customers with new option to purchase empty adjoining seats
Airline also introduces generous discounts on excess baggage rates to support demand from customers flying on essential trips Dubai, UAE, 01 March 2021 – Emirates’ Economy Class customers can now enjoy even more personal space and privacy onboard with the ability to purchase up to three empty adjoining seats on their flight. These seats will be offered […]

Hoteliers must embrace digital technology, says TIME Hotels’ Corporate Director of IT
An increase in digital-savvy travel consumers has underscored the importance of interacting with customers across every touchpoint of their digital journey Dubai, United Arab Emirates, February 28, 2021: Contactless technology, upgraded hotel software systems, integrated guest applications, and smart guest rooms are just some of the top technology trends Middle East hoteliers must adopt to attract […]

OAG and IATA Strengthen Data Partnership to Combat Market and Schedule Volatility
Comprehensive data supplied by OAG’s new cloud platform will help power IATA’s Airport IS market intelligence tool. BOSTON–(BUSINESS WIRE/AETOSWire)– OAG, the world’s leading provider of travel data and insight, has agreed to a partnership with International Air Transport Association (IATA) to provide a schedule and reference data via its new cloud platform. As part of the strengthened partnership […]

Emirates and Dubai Health Authority to create seamless digital verification of COVID-19 medical records for travelers
Dubai to become one of the world’s first cities to implement digital verification of passenger medical records relating to COVID-19 testing and vaccination Dubai, UAE, 25 February 2021 – Emirates and the Dubai Health Authority (DHA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which aims to position Dubai as one of the world’s first cities to […]

HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman announces Soudah Development Company (SDC) #SoudahDevCo
Investment of USD 3 billion in tourism infrastructure and attractions to create a world-class mountain destination in the Asir region. Planned developments include 2,700 hotel rooms, 1,300 residential units, and 30 unique commercial and entertainment attractions by 2030. The company aims to attract over 2 million visitors annually and create 8,000 direct and indirect permanent […]

COVID-19 HAS CHANGED THE IT SPENDING PRIORITIES FOR AIRPORTS AND AIRLINES IN 2020
SITA’s Air Transport IT Insights reveals a sharper focus on safety, automation, and efficiency GENEVA – 24 February 2021 – The COVID-19 pandemic has refocused IT spending priorities for airlines and airports in 2020 as revenue plunged and the industry faced new health and operational requirements needed to keep flying. The key finding from SITA’s 2020 Air Transport IT Insights, published today, was an accelerated investment in automated passenger processing focusing […]

Braira Hattien Villas Resort – Riyadh’s Gem in Luxury Travel
Ready for a royal escape? Looking for something extraordinary in its appeal? A destination where culture, history, tradition and ancient way of life weaves its fine thread through to what it is today… Riyadh, the prosperous and affluent capital of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, is where it’s at. A fresh breath of life is […]
