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Warner Bros. World Yas Island unveils branded aircraft with Etihad Airways

Warner Bros. World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, the region’s largest indoor theme park, has entered into partnership with Etihad Airways, marking a monumental milestone in the theme park’s history. This collaboration will bring the excitement of Warner Bros. World to the skies with the launch of the world’s first Warner Bros. World branded aircraft, taking guests’ pre-theme park experience to new heights. The first-ever Warner Bros. World branded aircraft was unveiled to the public yesterday at a spectacular launch event held at Warner Bros. World. The partnership between Warner Bros. World and Etihad Airways represents the largest collaboration for the theme park to date. As part of this captivating initiative, an Etihad Airways aircraft – Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner – has been creatively decorated with iconic Warner Bros. characters. On one side, guests will be greeted by the mischievous antics of iconic Classic Animation characters like the Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, while the other side showcases the heroic feats of beloved DC Super Heroes. All young guests aged up to 10 years old, flying on Etihad Airways longer flights will receive brand new Warner Bros. World Kids Packs that are being rolled out across the network this summer. Bursting with creativity, these packs are designed to entertain young travellers with activities that inspire them to draw their favourite superheroes and engage in a variety of fun tasks throughout the flight, ensuring every moment is packed with adventure. Infants will receive a DC Super Hero themed soft blanket, while juniors will receive goodies such as a branded backpack, Super Hero cape, water bottle and activity kit. Adding to this, Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi will also debut its exclusively branded, dedicated children’s lounge within the Etihad Airways Lounge at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi. This whimsical lounge will transport travellers into the incredible universe of Warner Bros. World Abu Dhabi, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that brings the wit of the park to the airport, making every journey as delightful as a visit to the theme park itself. Mohamed Abdalla Al Zaabi, Group CEO, Miral, said, “We are absolutely delighted to partner with Etihad Airways to bring the first-ever Warner Bros. World branded aircraft to fans. This collaboration not only expands the customer experience, but also extends the thrill of Warner Bros. World™ beyond our park’s walls, creating a super vacation with long lasting unforgettable memories for passengers of all ages.” Adding to this, Antonoaldo Neves, CEO, Etihad Airways, said, “Building on the strong reputation we have built as a family-friendly airline, we’re thrilled to take our partnership with Warner Bros. World to the next level. Our Looney Tunes and DC Super Hero themed aircraft will take our brands to destinations worldwide promoting one of Abu Dhabi’s many attractions. We look forward to welcoming more and more visitors inspired to visit our home, Abu Dhabi, and in particular delighting our Little VIP guests while they journey with us.”

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Japan implments e-Visa for tourists from 11 countries

As per its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Japan has implemented electronic tourism visa system for eligible nationalities for a period of 90 days. This single-entry visa is applicable for nationals from Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States, VisaGuide.World reports. Under the new policy, applicants can apply for a visa online and obtain it through the Japan e-Visa system. However, as the Japanese authorities further noted, e-Visas are only available to individuals who travel by plane and have an ordinary passport. During the application process, the applicant may be requested to appear in person at the Japanese overseas establishment with jurisdiction over the place of the applicant’s residence for an interview. However, for Chinese nationals living in China, such visas will be issued for stays up to 15 or 30 days, while for Vietnamese nationals living in Vietnam, e-visas will be granted for stays up to 15 days. Meanwhile, travellers holding an electronic visa must present a “visa issuance notice” at the airport in the Internet environment.

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Turkish Airlines secures Yuan-Denominated aircraft loan

Turkish Airlines has expanded its financing portfolio by incorporating a new currency, aligning with its natural currency hedging policy. This move is facilitated by the airline’s diversified revenue structure. The flag carrier has financed three Airbus A350 aircraft, added to its fleet between May and July 2024, in Chinese Yuan through AVIC International Leasing and CCB Financial Leasing. Turkish Airlines is enhancing its presence in the Chinese market by increasing flight frequencies and forming collaborations with key partners in the region. By engaging with leading aircraft financiers in China, the global airline is enriching its financing portfolio in both currency and geography. Turkish Airlines Chairman of the Board and Executive Committee, Prof. Ahmet Bolat, remarked on the achievement, “We have added another milestone to our aircraft financing successes by becoming the first airline to secure aircraft financing in Chinese Yuan outside of China. Introducing a fifth currency to our aircraft financing options supports our currency hedging strategies and helps minimise our financing costs. The interest and support from our Chinese business partners, in a transaction unprecedented outside China, highlight the mutual trust and collaboration between our countries. We aim to continue pioneering innovative financing structures in the future.” With an experienced aircraft financing team, Turkish Airlines has achieved one of the lowest financing costs in multiple currencies within the airline industry. The airline has been recognised annually with various financing awards from prestigious organisations such as Global Transport Finance, Airline Economics, Airfinance Journal, and Bonds, Loans & Sukuk. Over the past decade, Turkish Airlines has received over 30 international aircraft finance awards for its innovative and successful financing models, totalling approximately 16 billion USD.

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Vietnam Proposes Visa Waivers to Boost Tourism Industry

In an effort to boost tourism, Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed visa waivers for several nations. The Prime Minister has directed the Ministries of Public Security and Foreign Affairs to investigate this initiative, aiming to enhance Vietnam’s appeal as a travel destination amid stiff competition in Southeast Asia. During a recent meeting with Vietnamese representatives abroad, Prime Minister Chinh stressed the need to simplify visa procedures and encouraged collaboration between the ministries to facilitate easier travel to Vietnam. Currently, Vietnam offers visa exemptions to travellers from 25 countries, which is relatively low compared to its regional counterparts. For example, Malaysia and Singapore provide visa-free access to citizens from 162 countries, the Philippines to 157, and Thailand to 93. Vietnam’s move comes as neighboring countries like Thailand are expanding their visa-free policies, and Indonesia plans to introduce new visa-free destinations by October. Vietnam grants a three-month tourist visa to citizens of all countries and has recently extended visa-free stays to 45 days for citizens of 13 countries, including major tourist sources such as Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, South Korea, and several Nordic nations. Despite a 4% decline in international visitors in the first half of 2024 compared to pre-pandemic levels, Vietnam aims to attract 18 million international tourists by year-end. Although specific countries for potential visa waivers have not yet been revealed, Vietnam’s proactive approach highlights its commitment to revitalising its tourism sector and drawing more foreign visitors.

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Ahom Dynasty's Mound-Burial System Now In UNESCO World Heritage List

New Delhi: The mound-burial system of the Ahom dynasty in Assam -- 'Moidams' -- was on Friday included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, making it the first cultural property from the Northeast to get the coveted tag. The decision was taken during the ongoing 46th session of the World Heritage Committee (WHC) being held in India. 'Moidams' was submitted as India's nomination for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List for the year 2023-24. In a post on X, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said it was a matter of "immense joy and pride" for India that 'Moidams' had made it to the WHC list "The Moidams at Charaideo showcase the glorious Ahom culture, which places utmost reverence to ancestors. I hope more people learn about the great Ahom rule and culture. Glad that the Moidams join the #WorldHeritage List," he said. The unique burial mounds, represented by pyramid-like structures known as 'Moidams', were used by the Tai-Ahom dynasty that ruled Assam for around 600 years. 'Moidams' are vaulted chambers (chow-chali), often double-storied, that has an arched passage for entry. Atop the hemispherical mud mounds, layers of bricks and earth are laid. The base of the mound is reinforced by a polygonal toe-wall and an arched gateway on the west, according to the UNESCO website. "Eventually, the mound would be covered by a layer of vegetation, reminiscent of a group of hillocks, transforming the area into an undulating landscape," the description of 'Moidams' said. Excavation shows each vaulted chamber has a centrally-raised platform where the body was laid. Several objects used by the deceased during his life, like royal insignia, objects made of wood, ivory or iron, gold pendants, ceramic ware, weapons, clothes to the extent of human beings (only from the Luk-kha-khun clan) were buried with their king, according to the website. Reacting to 'Moidams' receiving the UNESCO tag, Union Culture Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said it is a day "etched in golden letters" and thanked UNESCO, the World Heritage Committee for understanding the outstanding universal value of 'Moidams'. The session of the WHC being held at the Bharat Mandapam here from July 21 to July 31, will examine 27 nominations from across the world, including 19 cultural sites, four natural sites and two mixed sites. India is hosting the key event of UNESCO for the first time. Ahead of the start of the session, Janhwij Sharma, additional director general of the Archaeological Survey of India, told reporters that ICOMOS, an advisory body to UNESCO, had recommended favourably for the inscription of the 'Moidams' which meant that it "fulfils all those parameters". The Paris-based International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) is one of the key advisory bodies to UNESCO and its experts visit the nominated sites. Vishal V Sharma, chairperson of the WHC and ambassador and permanent representative of India to UNESCO, had said in a press conference that if the nomination gets accepted, it would be the first cultural property from the Northeast to get a UNESCO tag. The Kaziranga National Park and the Manas National Park fall in the natural and mixed heritage categories respectively, he added. In an interview with news agency PTI on Monday, Sharma said he was hopeful that 'Moidams' would make it to the list.

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Pakistan Eases Visa Rules for Sikh Visitors for 126 nations

In response to its financial challenges, the Pakistani government has introduced visa-on-arrival privileges for Sikhs holding passports from countries other than India, along with waiving visa fees for travelers from 126 nations. This decision, made during a federal cabinet meeting on Wednesday, aims to generate additional revenue sources. The cabinet approved a sub-category for visa-on-arrival facilities specifically for Sikh pilgrims from third countries and decided to implement a dashboard at the Interior Ministry to oversee the online visa system. Shiromani Akali Dal Delhi Chief Paramjit Singh Sarna welcomed the move, stating that the decision to grant visas on arrival to NRI Sikhs visiting Gurdwara Nankana Sahib and other historical gurdwaras in Pakistan aligns with Sikh aspirations. He also expressed hope that Pakistan would extend similar facilities to Sikhs living in India and appealed for relaxation of passport requirements for devotees visiting Gurdwara Darbar Sahib and Kartarpur Sahib via the Kartarpur Corridor, suggesting the use of other identifications like Aadhaar cards. The Pakistani government has also launched a relaxed visa policy that includes an online visa application system, allowing citizens from 126 countries to obtain business and tourist visas within 24 hours, with exemptions from processing fees. To attract Sikh pilgrims from countries beyond India, Pakistan plans to establish several ‘star category’ sarais (inns) at Kartarpur Sahib and open shopping malls offering branded Pakistani products, catering to the high demand from the Indian diaspora.

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