Qatar Airways unveils new routes to Venezuela and Colombia

 

Qatar Airways has announced two unique routes set to open up South American travel destinations. 

The Middle East airline it top operate flights to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia, from July. 

Inaugural flights will run on July 22, meaning Qatar Airways will serve over 160 global destinations this northern summer. 

Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate flights from the Middle East to Caracas and Bogotá. 

Flights will depart every Wednesday and Sunday. 

The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 15th and 16th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. 

The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Sao Paolo in Brazil.

Qatar will also operate four weekly flights between Doha
and Helsinki from July 15, increasing to daily from August 10.

The carrier will also return to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport from July 15.

Mixed messages for would-be flyers

All flight restrictions in UAE airspace have now been lifted, with operations returning to normal, the General Civil Aviation Authority of UAE announced over the weekend.

“Our decision came following a comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions, in coordination with the relevant authorities”, the aviation authority said in a post on X.

 

So are you ready to book a flight via the UAE with Emirates, Etihad, Qatar or other Middle Eastern airlines?

Not so fast if you are an Australian.

The Australian Government's https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/ website is, as of today, still advising "Do Not Travel" to the volatile region.

Which means your travel insurance will almost certainly be invalid.

Here's what the official advice is:

"The situation in the Middle East remains volatile. There remains a risk of attacks and escalation. If you're in the UAE and want to leave, can secure a flight and it’s safe to travel to the airport, we continue to advise you to leave while commercial flights are available. UAE airspace may open or close at short notice, impacting flights at Abu Dhabi and Dubai international airports.

"Prioritise your safety, monitor developments closely and follow local authorities’ advice. Stay aware of your environment and avoid government, military or energy infrastructure, including oil production facilities. Avoid Israeli and US diplomatic missions and other locations associated with Israeli, Jewish and US interests. Follow local warning systems and, if warned of an imminent attack, move to an enclosed hardened shelter, ideally underground or close to ground level if available. If these are not available, seek an inner room without windows.

"Civilian infrastructure including hotels, roads, bridges, universities, energy infrastructure, including oil production facilities, water infrastructure and airports may continue to be targeted. There are widespread movement restrictions and other travel disruptions in the region. The UAE airspace may open or close at short notice, impacting flights at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.

"We raised our level of advice for the UAE to do not travel on 28 February due to the volatile security situation in the region and military strikes. ‘Do not travel’ advice applies to transit and layovers in the UAE. Even if you don’t plan to leave the airport. If you travel to or transit through the UAE, you may be unable to leave. Your safety will be at risk. Your travel insurance may become invalid.

"Due to heightened security concerns, the Australian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Australian Consulate-General in Dubai are closed. Online passport applications are open for Australians in the UAE."

AirAsia X reaffirms Bahrain plans amid global volatility

AirAsia X is banking on the Middle East soon returning to normal and has confirmed plans to develop Bahrain as a key strategic hub, connecting travellers between Asia, the Middle East and Europe. 

The service is scheduled to commence on June 26, with the budget airline expressing optimism that  conditions in the region will normalise by then. 

The AirAsia group today also announced increased capacity to strong-performing and higher-yielding routes, such as to Almaty (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Istanbul (Türkiye), aiming to capture displaced demand.

Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia X said: “While we are operating in an increasingly challenging environment, we are seeing strong demand across our Asean destinations, which demonstrates the resilience of our network and the growing appetite for regional travel. 

"This reinforces our focus on Kuala Lumpur as a key aviation hub and its position as a global low-cost carrier (LCC) megahub, connecting travellers seamlessly and affordably across the region.

“Amid ongoing geopolitical uncertainty and supply chain disruptions, global jet fuel prices have surged to more than double 2025 levels. In response, we have implemented carefully calibrated fare adjustments, including a one-off fuel surcharge across the network. 

"We are optimising our network, reallocating capacity to stronger-performing routes and leveraging our Fly-Thru connectivity via Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok to capture demand efficiently.

“We are also actively negotiating with our key partners and stakeholders to contain costs across our operations. 

"As we progressively reactivate our full fleet, our unit cost will improve, and the strengthening Asean currencies also act as a natural buffer against USD-denominated expenses.”

Why tourism is booming in Spain

Spain is enjoying a tourism boom despite global uncertainty. 

Tourism officials and analysts expect an uptick in demand despite issues in the Middle East, travel industry news hub Travel Mole reports.

 
Some travellers, particularly from Europe, are reconsidering long-haul trips to the Middle East, and, by extension, to Asia. 

And as oil prices rise amid Gulf tensions, airfares - especially for long-haul routes - are expected to increase. This dynamic tends to favour short- and medium-haul destinations in Europe. 

Spain and cities like Madrid (above) and Barcelona, is set to benefit directly from this shift, particularly in key source markets such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. 

The country, seen as a safe, stable, and easily accessible destination, is well placed to capture redirected demand. 

Spain finished 2025 with 97 million foreign arrivals, official government data shows: up 3.5% from 2024. That made it was the second most-visited country in the world behind France.

It is targeting over 10 million visitors in 2026.

British Airways adds daily London-Melbourne flights

British Airways today announced an expanded long-haul network, including daily flights from London to Melbourne (above).

The airline’s long-haul route network is set to grow by 9%, it said in a media statement with new destinations including Melbourne and Colombo in Sri Lanka.

The expansion also includes a boost to winter capacity on several popular leisure routes including Cape Town, Tokyo and Bridgetown in Barbados.

As a result of the situation in the Middle East. British Airways has added seven extra return services to Bangkok and Singapore in the last week and will continue to review its schedule and add additional flights to destinations as needed, the airline said.

“We’re delighted to announce sizeable growth to our flying schedule for winter 2026, including two notable new destinations that I’m confident will prove popular with our customers," said Neil Chernoff, British Airways’ Chief Planning and Strategy Officer.

"We’re also increasing services across several high-demand routes around the world. Together, these changes represent a significant investment in our long-haul leisure network, adding even more options and choice for our customers.

"Elsewhere, we know there is short-term demand as a result of the situation in the Middle East. To support customers with alternative routes from popular destinations we have already launched additional flights, and we will continue to monitor customer demand and add flights to our schedule if we’re able to do so.”

BA will commence daily flights to Melbourne in Australia from January 9, 2027, launching in time for the Australian Open and the Melbourne Grand Prix.

Flights will operate year-round from London Heathrow, via Kuala Lumpur.

Customers will have a choice of four cabin classes: World Traveller (economy), World Traveller Plus (premium economy), Club World (business class) and First.

Entitled traveller complains about Middle East flight delays

Entitlement is alive and well on social media.

Take this post on a Facebook travel site today:

“Stuck in Sydney. Due to fly to Manchester via Dubai. Not getting any help from Emirates. Tried ‘chat’ but they cut the connection before it even starts. Anyone getting assistance from Emirates?”

No one bothered to tell this self-absorbed person that Trump and Netanyahu's coalition of the crazy has turned the Middle East upside down with its attacks on Tehran.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top security officials were killed as part of the US and Israel’s ongoing regime change attacks.

The Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps, meanwhile has pledged revenge and says it has launched attacks on 27 bases hosting US troops in the Middle East, as well as Israeli military facilities in Tel Aviv.

Explosions continue to be heard in Iran, Qatar and the UAE, Al Jazeera reports.

What Israel call “preventative” or "pre-emptive" attacks are what most civilised people call warmongering. But the timing could not be better for Trump, as he desperately tries to divert attention away from the Epstein Files.

The logic behind the attacks appears to be: "Those nasty foreign people want to have the same weapons we chosen people have. We have to attack them."

The end result is deaths across Iran, airports closed across the region and thousands of flights cancelled.

As one response to our self-absorbed flyer put it: "In the nicest possible way.... pull your head in .... War has broken out..... places are being bombed....Maybe think about how everyone is being impacted and scared.... worst places to be stuck than Sydney.... Emirates will be in touch as soon as they can and with a solution.....Goodness me".

Couldn't have said it better myself.

* Image: Tehran before the bombings  

UPDATE: AirAsia X reveals a new budget way to get to London

Long-haul low-cost carrier AirAsia X has officially announce its return to the UK this week, as foreshadowed at GoTR on Monday.

That means it will soon be possible to fly from Australia to London using just one budget airline.

The airline is advancing its medium-haul expansion beyond Asia with the establishment of Bahrain as its first strategic hub, connecting Asia, the Middle East, Europe and Australia.

“This milestone reflects the broader transformation of AAX into a truly globally connected airline," says Bo Lingam, Group CEO of AirAsia X, who confimed the news this morning.

 

"We navigated one of the most challenging periods in aviation history and emerged from the pandemic stronger and more focused. Now, we are rebuilding with discipline - backed by a secured orderbook of 374 aircraft and counting, as well as a comprehensive five-year growth plan that will see us steadily cementing our footprint across the regions. 

"Bahrain fits squarely into our long-term network blueprint to link ASEAN and Asia to the world. Our focus remains on disciplined fleet expansion, strengthening core hubs, driving ancillary and digital growth, ensuring every new market strengthens the overall network. This is how we create sustainable value for the group of airlines while continuing to democratise long-haul travel.”

Commencing on 26 June 2026, the Bahrain-London sector will enable Australians on a budget to reach the UK in two stops. 

With the launch of this route, AirAsia X continues to build on a network of more than 150 destinations worldwide. 

In celebration, AirAsia is offering promotional fares from Australia to London (via Kuala Lumpur and Bahrain) starting from $365 in economy, and $1,342 for the airline’s Premium Flatbed cabin. 

One-way economy fares will be: Melbourne to London Gatwick $544; Perth to London Gatwick $365
and Sydney to London Gatwick $534. 

AirAsia Premium Flatbed passengers enjoy a lie-flat seat with premium pillow and duvet, a meal of their choice, 40kg of checked baggage, priority check-in and boarding, and lounge access in Sydney and Melbourne.

Flights are available for booking from today, with promotional fares on sale until February 22 for the travel period between June 26 and November 30 at airasia.com and the AirAsia MOVE app.

AirAsia previously operated non-stop flights from the Malaysian capital to London Stansted between 2009 and 2011, when it switched to Gatwick. Flights halted completely in 2012.

Stay away from the Middle East, government agencies advise

Avoid the Middle East completely. That is the message from the UK Foreign Office.

The Brits have issued travel warnings for more than a dozen countries across the region.

Civil unrest continues in Iran, particularly in the capital Tehran (above) with possible strikes by the US and/or Israel a possibility. The UK this week temporarily closed its embassy in Tehran.

“There is a heightened risk of regional tension," the FCDO said in the updated advisory. "Escalation could lead to travel disruption and other unanticipated impacts.

"If you are a British national already in Iran, either resident or visitor, carefully consider your presence there and the risks you take by staying.

"British and British-Iranian dual nationals are at significant risk of arrest, questioning or detention. Having a British passport or connections to the UK can be reason enough for the Iranian authorities to detain you." 

It cautions travellers in, or going to, Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE, Yemen, Turkey, Israel and Palestine, news hub Travel Mole reports.

“British nationals should take sensible precautions, considering their own individual circumstances.”

Iran has closed its airspace to all flights, while several airlines have suspended scheduled services to Tehran and other cities.

Australia's official SmartTraveller website advises against travel to Iran, Syria, Iraq and Yemen and to "exercise a high degree of caution" in the rest of the Middle East.  

"We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel overall due to the volatile security situation, armed conflict, civil unrest and terrorism," the website says.

"We continue to advise do not travel to border areas with Gaza (Palestine) or Lebanon."

And if you are flying with Emirates, Etihad or other carriers to the UAE: "Exercise a high degree of caution in the UAE due to the threat of terrorism."

Fast train to link Riyadh and Doha

The Middle East, already home to several of the world's top airlines, is now moving into the fast train sector. 

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are moving ahead with an ambitious plan that will slash travel time between their capitals to about two hours, a statement carried by official Saudi media and reported by Travel Mole reveals. 

The project, billed as a major step toward deeper regional cooperation and sustainable development, will create a new 785-kilometre rail corridor linking Riyadh and Doha, passing through major Saudi cities including Al-Hofuf and Dammam.

Along the line, trains would also connect Doha's Hamad International Airport with the planned King Salman International Airport, forming what officials describes “a new backbone for fast, low-carbon mobility across the Gulf“.

Designed for trains to exceed speeds of 300kmh, the service will offer a competitive alternative to air travel. Flights between Riyadh and Doha take roughly 90 minutes. The journey takes over six hours by road. 

Once operational, the rail line is expected to handle more than 10 million passengers annually, bolstering business and leisure travel and giving riders easy access to major attractions in both countries. 

Officials say the project will generate more than 30,000 direct and indirect jobs. 

The line will be built over six years to international safety and quality standards, using advanced rail and smart-engineering technologies aimed at cutting emissions and supporting the region’s transition toward cleaner transport.

The agreement was signed in Riyadh by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. 

Travel agents offer crucial advice to flyers

Do you have a flight booked to Europe via the Middle East? 

With escalating tensions impacting global aviation routes, the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA) is advising Australian travellers to remain informed and not to cancel their flights.

Airspace closures over Iran, Israel and Russia have significantly narrowed flight corridors into Europe, with delays and route diversions common particularly for passengers transiting through Middle Eastern hubs such as Doha, Abu Dhabi and Dubai. 

Major carriers continue to operate with adjusted flight paths, and travellers using Singapore Airlines, Qantas or Cathay Pacific are experiencing minimal disruptions via Singapore and Hong Kong, ATIA says.

Airlines have well-established systems in place to navigate such restrictions, and have been operating under constrained conditions since the start of the Ukraine conflict. Travellers should expect some delays, but not panic.

ATIA says travellers will be contacted by their accredited travel agent or airline of delays and cancellations. 

It urges flyers to not contact agents or airlines unless they are travelling in the next three days. That enables those travelling immediately to be assisted. 

There is an increased chance of delays so travellers should be prepared that they may be spending some time airports as a result of schedule adjustments.

Avoid cancelling flights independently. When an airline cancels your flights you are entitiled to a full refund.

ATIA urges flyers to monitor official travel advice, particularly via the SmartTraveller website.

It says the evolving situation "reinforces the importance of booking through an ATIA accredited travel business as accredited agents and businesses are best placed to manage disruptions, rebook flights and ensure clients receive their full entitlements under Australian Consumer Law.

“Australians flying to Europe via the Middle East should be prepared for some delays, but it's important to know that global airlines have systems in place to manage these disruptions," says ATIA CEO Dean Long. 

"We’ve seen this before, and the travel ecosystem is built to respond.

“The closure of airspace is not new. Airlines have been rerouting around Russia and Ukraine for more than two years, and are now adjusting again. The airlines that fly to Australia have world leading safety protocols and route management.

“Travellers shouldn’t panic or cancel unnecessarily. The one thing we learned through Covid is don’t cancel as it reduces the number of rights you have. Let the airline make that decision. This approach ensures your rights are protected and you get the support you need.”

See www.atia.travel

Image: Kaydir Mumyakmaz, Scop.io

Disney unveils new Middle East theme park

The Walt Disney Company has unveiled a new theme park development in the Middle East - its first new park announcement for 15 years.

The Disneyland Abu Dhabi resort marks the company’s entry into the region, travel news hub Travel Mole reports. 

The company announced details after its second-quarter earnings call.

It will team up with Miral, which will develop and build the theme park resort on Yas Island.

Miral also developed several other resorts and attractions there, including SeaWorld YAS Island Abu Dhabi, Yas Waterworld, and Warner Bros. World.

The Disney location is in Abu Dhabi’s main entertainment and amusement park hub.

Yas Island is 20 minutes from central Abu Dhabi and 50 minutes from Dubai.

Disney says the Abu Dhabi park, which will be directly on the waterfront, will be its most technologically advanced.

It is the first Disney announcement of a new park since 2010 when it unveiled plans for Shanghai Disneyland.

The company said it will not invest capital in the project but will benefit from a royalty licensing arrangement.

No specific details about park attractions have been disclosed yet but stayed tuned. Disney has said its will "combine Disney’s iconic stories, characters and attractions with Abu Dhabi’s vibrant culture, stunning shorelines and breath-taking architecture.”

Disney’s six other parks, including Disneyland Resort, Walt Disney World Resort, Tokyo Disney Resort, Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort are all owned and operated by Disney.

“This groundbreaking resort destination represents a new frontier in theme park development,” said Disney Experiences chairman Josh D’Amaro.

“Our resort in Abu Dhabi will be the most advanced and interactive destination in our portfolio. The location of our park is incredibly unique - anchored by a beautiful waterfront - which will allow us to tell our stories in completely new ways."

Someone please tell him that something is either unique, or it is not.

Luxury hotel brands offer new experiences in Dubai

Dubai, the always-evolving heartbeat of the United Arab Emirates, has announced the arrival of five major hotels arrivals in 2025
. 

Dubai’s tourism industry continues with the opening of a suite of accommodation options catering to families, luxury travellers, and visitors seeking affordable stopover stays, the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET) says.

 

The newcomers will be: 

Ciel Dubai Marina

Rising above Dubai Marina, the upcoming Ciel Tower (top image) will be the world’s tallest hotel. Stretching over 80 floors, this architectural gem will house over 1,000 rooms and suites, along with 10 diverse dining options. Guests will enjoy an exclusive Observation Deck on the 81st floor with views of the city, as well as a luxury spa, high-tech fitness centre, and sophisticated guest lounge. 

Mama Shelter

Recently opened, the affordable Mama Shelter brings a playful, design-led brand to Business Bay. Geared towards modern travellers, this lifestyle hotel has four stylish swimming pools, one featuring a semi-submerged bar, an outdoor cinema, and a rooftop DJ lounge. One for the young, or young at heart. Mama Shelter boasts a co-working space with five private ateliers. 

Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab

The brand new Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab is the latest chapter in Jumeirah Group’s ultra-luxury evolution. The property features 386 rooms and suites, 82 luxury residences, an 82-berth superyacht marina, 11 dining experiences and a TALISE spa. Panoramic windows frame views of the Arabian Gulf and the iconic Burj Al Arab, while four sparkling outdoor pools provide leisure oases.

Delano Dubai

The Delano brand's Miami origins give a different accent to the Delano Dubai, which arrives in the UAE with 251 rooms and 84 suites; many designed with secluded balconies, high ceilings, and wellness-driven details. Set along 250 meters of beachfront, the Delano offers views of the Arabian Gulf and guests can unwind at the oceanfront pool, indulge in a range of retail, dining and entertainment options. 

Mandarin Oriental Downtown

Opening in June 2025, Mandarin Oriental Downtown will mark the brand's second hotel in Dubai and third in the UAE. Located in the striking Wasl Tower, this 303-meter skyscraper boasts the region’s tallest ceramic façade. Inside are 259 elegant rooms and suites, along with 224 residences. Guests can enjoy dining at Tasca by José Avillez, unwind in the 25-meter pool, or skip traffic with transport from the hotel’s helipad. 

Bookings open for Virgin Australia/Qatar Airways partnership flights

Flyers can now book flights that are part of the new partnership between Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways that provides opportunities to travel to over 100 destinations across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

As of this week, you can book Virgin Australia's new services to jet directly from Sydney, Brisbane, and Perth to Doha for travel from June 2025, with Melbourne to join the party later in the new year. 

The flights will be operated by Virgin Australia using Qatar Airways' spacious Boeing 777s, including the Qsuite business class. 

The deal replaces Virgin's former alliance with Etihad. 

Key benefits and launch sale offers include fares on sale from Sydney, Brisbane and Perth via Doha to multiple European destinations with fares starting from Perth to Paris in economy return from $1,791. 

Sydney to London economy starts from $1,982 return. 

Frequent flyers can rack up to 20,000 bonus points on business return flights and 10,000 bonus points on economy return flights when booked on an eligible Virgin Australia international long haul flight by January 20, 2025 for travel between June 21 to September 30. 

The Virgin Australia and Qatar Airways partnership, pending final regulatory approval, is being promoted as "delivering increased competition, improved connectivity, and enhanced customer choice".

Virgin Australia Group CEO Jayne Hrdlicka said the new airline partnership is a game-changer. 

“This is a huge win for Australian travellers which brings more value and choice for passengers wanting to fly internationally," she said. 

"Through this partnership Virgin Australia becomes stronger, improving our ability to compete domestically - which is great news for Virgin Australia, our people and consumers.” 

Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Officer Engr. Badr Mohammed Al-Meer said that, if approved, the investment will support a collective ambition between the two airlines to deliver the best service and value to Australian customers.

“We are proud to support Virgin Australia with their ambition to return to long-haul international flying, a crucial next step in their successful transformation program,” he said.

Airlines switch flight routes amid Middle East Tensions

Planning to fly to/from or over the Middle East? Prepare for schedule changes, delays or cancellations.

Qantas is just one of several major airlines to announce the re-routing of its international flights to avoid airspace over the Middle East amid escalating tensions in the region.

The decisions come in response to growing concerns over the safety and security of air travel following Israel's ongoing bastardry (sorry, murderous self-defence tactics).

In addition to Qantas, airlines including Emirates, Etihad Airways and British Airways have also made adjustments to flight paths.

Qantas has said it will re-route its flights between Australia and Europe to avoid flying over the Persian Gulf and Iraq.

British Airways has announced that it will temporarily suspend flights to and from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qantas's direct Perth-London flights will now stop in Singapore for re-fuelling.

This is due to the extra distance required to avoid "at risk" airspace in the region. Qantas says it could add several hours to the total journey time.

SWISS, meanwhile, announced that "in view of the latest developments in the Middle East, we have decided to suspend SWISS flight operations to and from Tel Aviv Airport (top) until further notice. At SWISS, the safety of our crews and our passengers always has paramount priority.

"We continue to monitor the situation in the Middle East as closely as possible. Our specialists are constantly assessing all the available information, and are also in close and regular contact with all the relevant authorities both locally and in Switzerland."

The US, UK Canada and Australia have all issued advisories urging their citizens to stay vigilant and monitor developments closely.

The UK Foreign Office issued an urgent travel warning for more than a dozen countries in the southern Mediterranean and Middle East region.

”There is rising tension between Iran and Israel. Any military action could escalate quickly and could pose risks for the wider region,” it said.

“If you are in the region, or considering travel to the region, monitor news updates and continue to check FCDO travel advice.”

The travel warning covers Dubai, Morocco, Qatar, Egypt and Tunisia. Also included are Saudi Arabia, Algeria, Bahrain, Kuwait, Libya, Yemen, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Oman and Lebanon.

In the United States, the State Department issued a Level 4 “Do Not Travel” advisory for Israel.

Virgin Voyages backs out of Australian commitment

Virgin Voyages' Resilient Lady was launched in Australia and the Pacific with much fanfare just a few months ago. 

But Virgin has made the decision to withdraw Resilient Lady from its Australian deployment in 2024-25, Cruise Weekly reported. 

The cruise line said concerns about potential escalations in the Red Sea region over the next 12 months were the reason, but some industry experts expressed scepticism. 

Virgin said events in the Middle East had made conditions for repositioning to Australia too unsafe - but there are other ways to get a boat to the southern hemisphere. 

The cruise line had originally committed to a second season in Australia. 

"To say that we are disappointed to have come to this tough conclusion is an understatement," Virgin said in a statement.

The cruise line said it is currently working through options to return to Australia and the Asia Pacific region once repositioning opportunities become more tenable. 

Instead, the ship will relocate from Europe in late 2024 to San Juan, Puerto Rico, for a new Caribbean season offering 7, 8, 10 and 11-night voyages.

It will visit St Maarten, St Vincent, Colombia, and Dominica.

Emirates to add second daily Perth-Dubai flight

Emirates is boosting its already high profile in Australia by announcing that it will launch a second daily flight from Perth to Dubai later this year.

The new service - to start from December - will be supported by the Western Australian Government in partnership with Perth Airport.

It will will bring more than 129,000 new inbound seats to Western Australia every year.

The new flight will operate on a 777-300ER alongside Emirates' existing A380 daily service.

This returned service will provide further flight options for travellers from Western Australia's priority tourism markets, including Europe, the UK and US, during Western Australia's summer season.

Latest figures show Perth's international aviation capacity has now recovered to 94% of pre-Covid levels with the state on track to restore aviation capacity before the end of the financial year.

Western Australia is the only Australian state or territory with non-stop aviation connections with the UK and Europe with services between Perth and London, Rome, and a soon-to-launch Paris service.

For more information visit emirates.com/au

Middle East travel warning issued

Thinking of a holiday in the Middle East? Maybe think again.

The UK Foreign Office has urged travellers to stay clear of most of the Middle East region and regions beyond, Travel Mole reports.

As the UK and US started bombing raids on Yemen, the FCO issued new travel advisories for 18 countries spanning from Syria to several East African countries including Somalia and Eritrea.

The countries are: Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Eritrea, Djibouti, Palestine, Israel, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

“Military activity is currently underway," the travel advisory said. "While the area of activity is limited, there is a possibility that travel advice for nearby countries could change at short notice.

“You should continue to monitor travel advice and follow any relevant instructions from local authorities.”

The government now considers the UK and British nationals abroad targets with a ‘high threat of terrorist attack.’

“You should remain vigilant at all times,” it said.

“The Royal Air Force has carried out targeted strikes against military facilities in Yemen.”

So travellers pay the price for the US and UK being unable to mind their own business and wanting to police the world.

Australia's current SmartTraveller advisory for Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories is stark and it advises against any travel to Lebanon or Yemen.

"We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, including the threat of terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest," it said.

"We continue to advise do not travel to Gaza, border areas with Gaza, border areas with Lebanon closed by Israeli authorities and the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem), due to the volatile security situation."

The situation has also forced Silversea Cruises to end Silver Moon’s current Red Sea cruise itinerary in Jordan and cancel the next scheduled cruise.

It was scheduled to end in Muscat, Oman, but will now have additional port calls in Egypt before returning to Aqaba, Jordan, where it will end.

“In addition, due to circumstances beyond our control, we made the difficult decision to cancel the next voyage,” Silversea said.

Image: Sanaa, Yemen. UNESCO

Tourists warned they could be terror targets

The US wants to be the world's policeman.

But the global arbiter of what is good and evil - and the country that is what war more often than any other - has admitted that its politics put its citizens at increased risk around the globe.

The US State Department this weekend issued a global travel warning for all Americans abroad.

It advised all US nationals around the world to "exercise increased caution because of tensions in various locations around the world".

Increased tensions have the potential for ‘terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against US citizens and interests, it said.

So look out loud, gum-chewing, baseball hats on backwards types. You are easy to spot.

The warning came as a response to the ongoing conflict between Israel and terrorist group Hamas.

State Department spokesperson Matt Miller said: “We take a number of factors into consideration when making the determination.

“It’s not necessarily any one thing but everything that we’re watching around the world."

Travel advisories for Lebanon and Israel are currently at the highest level, with non-essential government staff and their families are asked to leave, Travel Mole reports.

Global travel warnings are fairly rare but the State Department issued a similar worldwide advisory last year when al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed.

US citizens are advised to "stay alert in locations frequented by tourists".

Australians - whose government has taken a strong pro-Israel stance - have been issued with a similar warning from the government's SmartTraveller app. 

"We continue to advise reconsider your need to travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories overall due to the volatile security situation, including the threat of terrorism, armed conflict and civil unrest," it said over the weekend.

"We continue to advise do not travel to Gaza, border areas with Gaza and border areas with Lebanon closed by Israeli authorities. We now also advise do not travel to the West Bank (excluding East Jerusalem) due to the volatile security situation.

"The situation is highly challenging and rapidly changing. Australians who want to leave are strongly encouraged to take the first available option. Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion International Airport remains open and commercial flights are available."

Chinese tourists ready to take flight

After several years of restrictions, an increasing number of Chinese are expected to embark on outbound journeys with Thailand, New Zealand and the Maldives among their most popular destinations.

The Middle East and Europe are also set grow in popularity for Chinese tourists, the China Daily newspaper reported.

After three years of Covid-19 disruptions, China downgraded its pandemic response measures and re-started quarantine-free cross-border travel in January.

Chinese tourists have shown an increasing willingness to explore unconventional destinations, the newspaper said.

The Middle East is expected to emerge as a key tourism destination as more Chinese have shown a growing interest in traveling to the region.

On March 10, China, Saudi Arabia and Iran issued a joint statement in Beijing, stating that Saudi Arabia and Iran had agreed to resume diplomatic relations and reopen their embassies and missions within two months.

Currently, there are direct flights available that connect Chinese mainland cities with Tehran in Iran, Riyadh in Saudi Arabia and Dubai and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

China has resumed outbound group tours to 60 countries, and most of them have cancelled the requirement to provide negative Covid tests.

The first list of 20 countries was unveiled in early February, followed by the second list of 40 destinations in March. Travel agencies and online tourism service providers can offer group tours to these destinations, the tourism ministry said.

"Many overseas destinations in the second list boast huge potential to attract Chinese travellers," said Li Peng, director of long-haul outbound tourism at Tuniu Corp, a Nanjing-based online travel agency.

"In the past month, we have received a large number of inquires about travel to Iran and other countries in the Middle East. Demand for group tours to Vietnam, Nepal and Latin American countries is also on the rise.

"With further recovery of the market and outbound tourists' emerging demand, travel agencies have more preparations to make in order to develop more travel products and resources, and raise the quality of their services,"

The tourism segment is on track to a faster recovery given the trend of further opening-up, experts told the China Daily.

Tongcheng Travel, a Suzhou-based online travel agency, said demand for overseas trips had been rising.

Tongcheng Travel also found that Chinese tourists have shown a big interest in going on group tours to the Middle East.

Airlines are beefing up flight schedules to meet demand.

"We have attached significance to the China market and are confident in its growth potential," said Chan Cheong Eu, Qatar Airways' senior manager for North Asia.

"This year marks the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Qatar, and we will further contribute to the trade, cultural and personnel communications between the two countries."

Beijing is the fifth Chinese city to be served by Qatar Airways after the pandemic. The other four are Shanghai, Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Hangzhou.

"With China's reopening and the restart of the aviation and tourism industries, we are very glad to see the long overdue move of our scheduled services to Beijing Daxing, which will further strengthen our commitment to the country's aviation market development and Chinese travellers," said Arik De, chief revenue officer of Etihad Airways.

Image: Rubie Ann Agcol, Scop.io

Which country now has two airlines - both as national flag carriers

Saudi Arabia has unveiled a new national airline.

To Middle Eastern powerhouses Emirates, Etihad, Saudia, Qatar Airways and Oman Air add newcomer Riyadh Air.

The new airline will be led by CEO Tony Douglas, an ex-Etihad executive, and is wholly owned by sovereign wealth fund PIF.

The Saudi airline is aiming to operate to more than 1000 destinations by 2030, Travel Mole reports.

It is predicted that Riyadh Air will generate up to $US20 billion for Saudi Arabia’s non-oil GDP growth through tourism and trade, state news agency SPA said.

The airline will be based at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman announced the new carrier, which will operate alongside head of state-owned Saudia while serving different destinations.

Saudi Arabia is now home to two national airlines, both serving as the kingdom's flag carriers.