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Etihad Airways and Air Seychelles Partner to Boost Surging Global Flight Network

Etihad Airways and Air Seychelles have entered into a codeshare agreement that will allow travelers to seamlessly book flights between Etihad’s global destinations and the idyllic Seychelles, starting in May 2025. This partnership is designed to increase travel options and convenience, offering an enhanced travel experience for passengers and broadening the global reach of both airlines. The codeshare agreement will be centered on six weekly flights between Abu Dhabi and Mahe, with onward connections to other exotic destinations, such as Praslin and Mauritius, through Air Seychelles. The collaboration between Etihad Airways and Air Seychelles will see the airlines working together to offer six flights per week between Abu Dhabi and Mahe, the capital of Seychelles. This increased frequency is set to improve travel options for passengers, particularly those seeking to visit the Seychelles from various international destinations. The new service will integrate with Etihad’s existing network, enhancing global connectivity and providing an easier path to new destinations like Praslin and Mauritius. The partnership marks an exciting development in the travel industry, as it will allow Etihad passengers to access the beautiful island destinations with a single booking, connecting seamlessly through Abu Dhabi. This move is expected to draw more international tourists to the Seychelles and its surrounding islands, further strengthening the UAE’s position as a global travel hub. For travelers, the codeshare agreement offers a host of benefits, including the ability to travel between destinations with the same baggage allowance, complimentary meals, and access to inflight entertainment. Additionally, Etihad Guest members will be able to earn miles on their flights, making the experience even more rewarding for frequent flyers. This collaboration is expected to attract a large number of visitors from various regions, as passengers can now conveniently reach the Seychelles without multiple stopovers.

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Odisha To Get Three New Railway Lines

President Droupadi Murmu has launched three major railway projects in Odisha, aimed at enhancing connectivity and boosting the region’s economic development. President Droupadi Murmu has officially inaugurated six major development initiatives in Odisha, collectively valued at INR 6,400 crore.The projects are aimed at improving infrastructure, connectivity, and services in the state. Among the key initiatives are three new railway lines that will connect important districts and bolster the region’s economic growth. These lines—Bangriposi-Gorumahisani, Buramara-Chakulia, and Badampahar-Keonjhargarh—are expected to enhance regional transport and logistics. The new railway lines include the 60-km Buramara-Chakulia route, which will link Mayurbhanj district in Odisha to East Singhbhum in Jharkhand. With a projected cost of INR 1,639 crore, this railway line is set to improve transportation between these mineral-rich regions, boosting the local economy and facilitating the movement of goods, particularly for industrial purposes. In addition to the railway projects, President Murmu also laid the foundation for three other significant developments in Rairangpur. These include a Tribal Research and Development Center, a new airport at Dandbose, and a sub-divisional hospital. These projects aim to address key gaps in education, healthcare, and infrastructure in Odisha’s tribal areas, enhancing the quality of life for local communities. The President’s visit to Odisha also saw her participating in important events such as the Indian Navy Day celebration at Blue Flag Beach in Puri on December 4. The Navy Day ceremony commemorated the Indian Navy’s role in securing the nation’s maritime interests. Additionally, President Murmu attended the 40th convocation of Odisha University of Agricultural Technology (OUAT) in Bhubaneswar on December 5, where she congratulated the graduating students.

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Dubai: Global Village launches new space-themed attraction

Global Village has launched Exo Planet City, a new space-themed attraction, designed to offer an immersive, high-tech experience for visitors this 29th season. The attraction features a range of interactive activities designed for all ages, combining adventure, entertainment, and sensory stimulation in one dynamic space hub. Exo Planet City is centred around a variety of activities that combine cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling. The experience kicks off with the Infiniti Mirror Maze, where guests navigate through an infinity room featuring aquatic, forest, and space-themed realms. LED lights, illusion displays, and special effects add to the maze's "mind-bending experience". For those seeking more excitement, the Gravity Vortex offers a thrilling sensory challenge. Guests step into a spiralling tunnel, where swirling lights and sounds create the sensation of moving through space. The interactive visual effects further enhance the illusion, making it a standout attraction for guests. The attraction also features a 5D Cinema, with a 30-degree curved screen and dynamic seating capacity of up to 36 guests. The cinema’s multi-sensory effects, including smoke, rain, bubbles, and even snow, bring the on-screen action to life for guests who wear 3D glasses, creating a truly engaging experience for visitors.

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Track construction in Gujarat progressing swiftly, rail welding begins on viaduct

The National High Speed Rail Corporation Limited (NHSRCL) has announced that the track construction work for the Gujarat portion of the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project is progressing “swiftly”. In its latest update on the project, the NHSRCL said that the welding of rails on the viaduct in Gujarat has started. It added that the rails for the project have been procured from Japan, each measuring 25 metres. The rails are welded together by fusion welding (FBW) machines on the MAHSR viaduct. Together they will make 200 metres long rail panels. So far, 298 rails panels have been welded, constituting around 60 kilometres of rails. The NHSRCL emphasised that the rail welding process is crucial for maintaining passenger comfort, as well as the durability and safety of the track for high-speed travel. Before welding, the rail ends are grinded and undergo surface preparation to ensure a smooth, pristine surface for the critical joining of the rails. Each rail is inspected to ensure it meets the dimensional specifications required for welding.

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Paris bags the prestigious title of 'World’s Most Attractive City' in 2024

And Paris did it again and how! The ‘City of Lights’ and the capital of France, Paris has been crowned with the prestigious title of the World’s Most Attractive City in 2024, according to the Top 100 City Destinations Index 2024 by Euromonitor International. However, this is not the first time that Paris has received this prestigious title but for the fourth consecutive year. The French capital overall appeals to travellers from across the globe. The rankings are determined through a thorough evaluation of 55 key metrics, spread across six essential pillars, and these are: Economic and Business Performance Tourism Performance Tourism InfrastructureTourism Policy and Attractiveness Health and Safety, and Sustainability The 2024 report also reveals some key trends in global urban tourism: Domination of European cities: European cities are maintaining their dominance, with six out of the top ten destinations located in Europe. Madrid secured the second spot, followed by Tokyo, Rome, and Milan rounding out the top five. Emerging destinations on the rise: There is a growing trend toward less-visited, third-tier cities as travelers seek more unique and personalized experiences. These emerging destinations are gaining popularity due to their charm, cultural uniqueness, and often more affordable offerings compared to established tourist hubs.

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Noida International Airport hits major milestone with Airbus A320 test flight

Noida International marked a crucial milestone recently when an Airbus A320 landed here from Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport. If reports are to go by, flight operations are scheduled to start from April 2025 from Noida Airport, which would transform connectivity for Greater Noida and beyond. Once operational, it will be the second major airport in the National Capital Region (NCR), after IGI Airport. Developed along the Yamuna Expressway, the airport spans 1,334 hectares and is being constructed in four phases at an estimated cost of INR 29,650 crore. With an INR 10,056 crore investment, the first phase will have a single runway and a terminal that can accommodate 12 million people a year. The airport is expected to handle 70 million passengers annually once it is fully constructed. The airport’s concessionaire, Yamuna International Airport Private Limited—a subsidiary of Zurich International Airport AG—has undertaken this ambitious project under a public-private partnership model with the Uttar Pradesh government. The validation flight conducted by IndiGo Airlines tested critical infrastructure, including navigational aids and air traffic control systems. Such tests are necessary for obtaining aerodrome certification from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Christoph Schnellmann, CEO of Noida International Airport, described this achievement as “a proud moment,” emphasising the team’s meticulous planning and dedication to meeting the project’s timeline.

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