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Dubai airport now operates at 100% capacity, final phase of Concourse A opens

Dubai International (DXB) airport is now operating at 100 per cent capacity after the opening of the final phase of Concourse A at Terminal 3. A press statement issued by Dubai Airports on Monday said all terminals, concourses, lounges, restaurants, and retail outlets are now open. Terminal 3 is expected to serve more than 1.6 million passengers in the second half of December during the month's peak seasonal travel period. Visitors to Dubai exceeded one million in October and DXB reached the important milestone of one million passengers per week in November, with origin-destination passengers reaching 94 per cent of pre-pandemic levels. "Reaching the point where 100 per cent of our facilities are now open and serving customers, plus the huge resurgence in passengers arriving into Dubai marks an important milestone for the aviation sector as well as for the city of Dubai and its economic growth," said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports. “We took early steps to implement best-in-class hygiene and health protocols, fast track PCR testing facilities, and enhanced customer service and guest support resources to ensure the comfort, convenience and safety of travellers – and this has resulted in a strong recovery towards pre-pandemic levels of passengers,” he said. The journey back to full operations following the closure in March 2020 began with the reopening of Terminals 2 and 3 and Concourses B and C for normal inbound passenger operations from June 22, 2020, following the easing of international travel regulations for residents by UAE authorities. Outbound travel for UAE citizens and residents was opened on June 23 while Dubai welcomed the first international tourists from July 7, 2020. Dubai Airports reopened Terminal 1 and Concourse D, home to over 60 international airlines, on June 24, 2021. Over past 18 months, there has been a steady increase in passenger traffic which has intensified in recent months. Traffic reached 10.6 million passengers in the first half of 2021, followed by robust growth in Q3 of 2021 and a surge in October 2021 which took the year-to-date passenger numbers to 20.7 million. With the busy holiday season to the end of the year showing further growth, passenger numbers are expected to reach 28.9 million by the end of 2021, 2.1 million more than the September 2021 forecast. "The rate of recovery of DXB has exceeded most other airports of comparable size and highlights the positive international reputation that Dubai has as an attractive city that has taken decisive steps to protect its visitors and residents. The number of visitors to Dubai is likely to exceed pre-pandemic levels during the final few weeks of the year which is an excellent milestone on our journey towards full recovery," Griffiths added.

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Turkiye Hosted The Biggest MICE Group From India In 2021

Turkiye hosted a big MICE group of 1400 top performing direct sellers of Amway India who gathered in Antalya, Turkiye, for the Amway Leadership Business Seminar 2021. This is one of the biggest MICE groups that travelled to Turkiye this year. Turkish Airlines was the official Airline Partner for Amway India and carried 1400 passengers on 5 Charter Flights on A330. These were direct flight departures from New Delhi and Mumbai to Antalya and return. “The resort in Belek, Antalya offered us an all-inclusive package that included unlimited food and drinks through its 2 patisseries, 3 bars, and 7 restaurants. To ensure that the participants do not miss the Indian food, we also took Indian chefs along with us who prepared Indian food and delicacies for our guests during their stay. The participants were left spellbound by the breath-taking view from their rooms and they enjoyed their free time in the heated outdoor pool as well as the heated indoor pool in the SPA Center offered by the resort” says Aikta Tyagi, Vice President – Special Events at Amway India Enterprises. Turkiye is the home of unique nature, culture and deep-rooted historical and religious prestige, which reflects in its world heritage sites, recognized by UNESCO.

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SIA A380 Returns To India

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced the return ofAirbus A380 Superjumbo aircraft to India after a 20-month break in services. Starting 10 January 2022, the A380 will replace the Airbus A350-900 on the SQ 424/423 VTL services between Mumbai and Singapore. Starting 14 February 2022, SIA will operate the A380 in place of the Boeing 787-10 on the SQ 406/403 VTL services between Delhi and Singapore. The Singapore Airlines A380 is configured with 471 seats in four classes: six Suites and 78 Business Class seats on the upper deck, as well as 44 Premium Economy Class and 343 Economy Class seats on the main deck. Sy Yen Chen, General Manager India, Singapore Airlines, said, “The return of the A380 to India is a special occasion for us as this superjumbo aircraft has always been a popular choice for our customers. Ever since we resumed operations from India, we have seen a steadily growing demand for our VTL flights to Singapore. We are confident that the A380, with its larger seat capacity, will be the preferred choice for our customers seeking comfortable and safe quarantine-free travel to Singapore from both Mumbai and Delhi.” He further added, “The A380 will provide more space and privacy in all classes, featuring bespoke elements designed especially for the Singapore Airlines customer. We look forward to welcoming our customers back on board the world’s largest passenger aircraft, where they can once again enjoy our world-class product and services, including our most luxurious Suite cabin.” SIA currently operates 48 weekly services from 8 cities across India. These include daily VTL services from Chennai, Delhi and Mumbai

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WelcomHeritage Launches WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort

Keeping on the regality of the rustic charm and state-of-the-art hospitality, WelcomHeritage added WelcomHeritage Cheetahgarh Resort in its portfolio in Jawai region of Rajasthan. The property, spread across 20 acres of private estate housing the roaring wild; a homeland for leopards, is located at the quaint village called Bera, district Pali, Rajasthan. The property is situated faraway from civilization, on an expanse of an untouched land, surrounded by rolling hillocks which is a signature to the area. There are a host of engagements developed inside the property like a swimming pool, clubhouse, gymnasium, a grand spa, nature walks and a host of other activities. The resort features 18 rooms, distinguished in 4 categories – Chalet with Private pool, Chalet with garden view, Lake view room and presidential suite.

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New vistadome train services to boost tourism: Assam CM

Two more Vistadome train services were flagged off in Assam and Arunachal Pradesh on Sunday, aimed at boosting trade and tourism through rail connectivity and promoting the cultural heritage of the northeast. Vistadome coaches are equipped with glass windows and roofs for a better view of scenic landscapes, as well as observation lounges. The new train services between Guwahati-Naharlagun and NaharlagunTinsukia were flagged off by Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma at Guwahati Railway Station, and his Arunachal Pradesh counterpart Pema Khandu at Naharlagun Railway Station in that state. Both locations were connected via video link, a Northeast Frontier (NFR) release said. It added that the existing Vistadome service between Guwahati and New Haflong would be extended up to Badarpur to fulfil the demand of tourists. "With the introduction of these coaches, more tourists will be attracted to our state. The Vistadome coaches will enable travellers to enjoy the view of various natural landscapes," Sarma told reporters. He said the Assam government is working with the NFR for a Kisan Rail service to benefit the farmers of the state. "If these special trains are started, perishable products can be transported faster from Assam to other parts of the country, and our farmers will be immensely benefited," he said. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said ongoing surveys are in various stages on several new routes connecting his state. "Once these routes are complete and made functional, the state will witness a sea change in terms of transportation." Regular services of the Naharlagun-Guwahati Shatabdi Express with Vistadome coach will commence from December 20, and the TinsukiaNaharlagun Vistadome Express from December 21.

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Italy eyes new Covid-19 travel measures to curb Omicron spread

Italy's government is considering new measures to avoid a surge in Covid-19 infections during the holiday period, local newspapers reported on Sunday, amid worries over the spread of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant. After holding a meeting with ministers on Dec. 23, Prime Minister Mario Draghi could impose an obligation on the vaccinated to show a negative test to access crowded places, including discos and stadiums, daily Corriere della Sera reported. Negative tests could also be required to enter cinemas and theatres, along with wearing masks outdoors. Under current rules, people who have been vaccinated or have recently recovered from the disease have free access to indoor seating at bars and restaurants, museums, cinemas, clubs and sporting events. "Some measures, such as making masks compulsory even outdoors ... could be taken soon," Franco Locatelli, one of the government's main scientific advisors, told the newspaper. Italy - where vaccination is already mandatory for healthcare workers, school staff, police and the military - could extend the jab obligation to all workers from January, Corriere della Sera reported. The National Health Institute (ISS) said on Saturday the Omicron variant is spreading quickly in Italy, with new cases identified in the country's north and south. A total of 84 infections have so far been identified. Italy, the first Western country to be hit by the Covid-19 pandemic early last year, has seen an increase new infections and deaths in recent weeks, but daily caseloads remain well below some other European countries such as Britain and Germany. Earlier this week, Rome extended a Covid-19 state of emergency to March 31 and ruled that all visitors from EU countries must take a test before departure.

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