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A quick guide to cell service in European countries and how to always remain in network

Staying connected whenever travelling is one of the most important things that we need to be careful about. Likewise, while travelling abroad or Europe, it’s equally important to stay connected for communication, and accessing information. However, when it comes to international destinations, you need to be aware of their services and other information. Cell service in European countries varies, but with the right preparation, you can ensure you always remain in the network. Here’s a comprehensive guide on cell service in Europe and tips to keep you connected. Understanding cell service in Europe: GSM vs. CDMA Networks: Europe primarily uses GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks, unlike some regions that use CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). Most modern smartphones support both, but it’s crucial to ensure your device is GSM-compatible before travelling. Roaming agreements: European countries have extensive roaming agreements, making it relatively easy to maintain service while moving between nations. The European Union has abolished roaming charges within member states, allowing you to use your domestic plan in other EU countries without extra fees. However, this may not apply to non-EU countries, so check your provider’s policies. Network coverage: Major European cities and tourist areas have excellent network coverage, including 4G LTE and increasingly 5G. Rural and remote areas may have weaker signals, but most regions are still accessible with at least 3G service. Preparing before you travel - Check with your carrier: Before leaving, contact your mobile carrier to understand international roaming options. Many carriers offer international plans that include data, calls, and texts. These plans can be convenient, but might be more expensive than local alternatives. Unlock your phone: Ensure your phone is unlocked, meaning it’s not restricted to a specific carrier. This allows you to use local SIM cards, which can be a cost-effective option. Research local SIM cards: Each country has multiple mobile providers offering prepaid SIM cards. Research the best providers in your destination for coverage and pricing. Popular European providers include Vodafone, Orange, and T-Mobile. Staying connected on arrival: Purchasing a local SIM card: Upon arrival, purchase a local SIM card at airports, convenience stores, or mobile shops. These usually come with various data packages. Ensure your phone is unlocked and compatible with the local network. eSIM options: Many modern smartphones support eSIMs, allowing you to download a digital SIM card. You will find providers that offer eSIMs for multiple European countries, eliminating the need to switch physical SIM cards. Portable Wi-Fi hotspots: Another option is renting or purchasing a portable Wi-Fi hotspot. These devices provide internet access for multiple devices and can be a good choice for group travel. Tips for always staying in network Use Wi-Fi whenever possible: Take advantage of free Wi-Fi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces to save on data usage. Ensure the Wi-Fi network is secure before connecting. Monitor data usage: Keep track of your data usage to avoid unexpected charges. Many smartphones allow you to set data limits and alerts. Backup communication apps: Install apps like WhatsApp, Skype, which use internet data for calls and messages. These apps can be lifesavers if you run out of mobile data. Emergency contacts and offline maps: Save important contacts and download offline maps (e.g., Google Maps) before your trip. This ensures you can navigate even without a data connection. Consider dual SIM phones: If your phone supports dual SIMs, you can keep your home SIM for emergency calls and use a local SIM for data and local calls. Plan for non-EU countries: If travelling to non-EU countries, check roaming charges and consider local SIM options to avoid high fees.

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Mumbai rain update: City records 300 mm rainfall in 6 hours; IMD issues alert

In a recent update, the Maharashtrian capital Mumbai recorded 300 mm of rainfall overnight (in just 6 hours). The heavy downpour has resulted in waterlogging in several regions. Given the current situation, the BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has declared a holiday on Monday for schools. Not only this, around 50 flights have also been cancelled by several airlines due to the heavy rainfall. The IMD has issued an orange alert for Mumbai, predicting heavy downpours on Monday. According to the Meteorological Department, the city is likely to experience very heavy rains in the next 2-3 hours. The IMD has issued a yellow alert for several districts in Maharashtra, including Pune, Ratnagiri, Raigad, Sindhudurg, Amravati, and Nagpur. Apparently, heavy rains took over Mumbai and its suburbs between 1 AM and 7 AM on July 8. It caused waterlogging in low-lying regions and disrupting local train services as well, especially on Central Railway routes. As per local authorities, suburban train services on both the Main and Harbour corridors of the Central Railway are severely affected due to waterlogging on tracks. The BMC took to social media X and announced: “Mumbai has recorded over 300 mm rainfall at various places in a six-hour period from 1 am to 7 am today. Heavy rains in some low-lying areas led to waterlogging and disruption of suburban train services. Heavy rain is also expected today. To avoid inconvenience to students, a holiday for the first session is declared for all BMC, Government and Private schools and colleges in Mumbai (BMC area). The decision for the next session will be announced after reviewing the situation”. Currently, Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has assessed the flood situation in the state, including Mumbai, where the city received 270 mm of rainfall in a span of 4 hours from 2 AM to 6 AM on Monday. Apparently, Mumbai receives heavy rains during the peak monsoon season. The heavy monsoon rains often lead to severe waterlogging, disrupting daily life and transportation. The city's low-lying areas are particularly vulnerable, experiencing flooding that damages property and infrastructure.

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Garuda Indonesia And Singapore Airlines Receive Regulatory Approval

Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines (SIA) today received the Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore’s (CCCS) approval of their commercial joint venture agreement. With this approval, the airlines will be able to deepen their strategic partnership on a wider range of commercial activities that will bring greater benefits to both airlines, as well as Indonesia and Singapore. These potentially include operating joint revenue sharing flights between the two countries, coordinating flight schedules to offer travellers more options and seamless connectivity between Singapore and Indonesia and beyond, and exploring joint sales and marketing initiatives that provide greater value to both airlines’ customers. Since Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines signed an agreement to deepen their partnership in May 2023, the carriers have been working on initiatives including giving GarudaMiles and KrisFlyer members the option to earn and redeem miles on codeshare routes. They have also embarked on joint marketing initiatives to promote tourism activities. The airlines today codeshare on a wide range of flights, including between Singapore and Indonesian cities of Bali, Jakarta, Medan, and Surabaya, as well as on long-haul routes between Singapore and Johannesburg, London (Heathrow), and Mumbai. Mr Irfan Setiaputra, President and Chief Executive Officer, Garuda Indonesia, said: “We are very pleased to receive this approval, as it marks significant progress towards our commitment to enhance service quality as well as broaden both Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines’ networks through a deepening partnership. The joint venture initiative that we are preparing today has been one of the strategies to ensure extensive value creation for our loyal customers. Having regulatory approval as the first step in a commercial agreement will provide more opportunity for developing well-executed strategic ideas. “Moreover, we hope that this joint venture agreement can provide seamless services for passengers with more flight schedule options and ease in earning and redeeming mileage. Also, this collaboration may deliver concrete action to contribute to boosting Indonesian tourism activities, which will support the post-pandemic economic recovery progress,” Mr Irfan explained. Mr Goh Choon Phong, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Airlines, said: “The robust strategic partnership between Garuda Indonesia and Singapore Airlines has enabled us to broaden our codeshare services over the last few years, offering our customers more choices on flights. With the CCCS’s approval, we are poised to deepen our collaboration across a wider scope of commercial activities. Along with the ongoing work to strengthen the links between our frequent flyer membership programmes, this will provide our customers with even more options and enhanced value. This partnership underscores both airlines’ commitment to improving connectivity between Indonesia and Singapore and beyond, boosting both business and leisure travel, and contributing to economic growth.”

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United Airlines Expands Global Network from Washington Dulles for Travelers

United Airlines, a leading figure in the aviation industry, serves more than 210 destinations within the United States. Beyond its robust domestic network, the airline reaches 120 international destinations. With eight global hubs, United offers a variety of seating classes including business, premium plus, economy plus, and basic economy. This article examines the top international routes from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) based on seat availability, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Key Routes with Less Than 10,000 Seats Washington Dulles (IAD) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) United Airlines operates four daily flights between IAD and YYZ, totaling 248 flights in July 2024. Each flight offers an average of 71.5 seats, utilizing Embraer 170 and Embraer 175 aircraft. Air Canada is the only other airline offering non-stop flights on this route. Washington Dulles (IAD) to Athens (ATH) and Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS) United offers the same seat availability and number of operations for both IAD-ATH and IAD-AMS routes. The IAD-ATH route, however, provides 38,930,544 available seat miles (ASMs), nearly 9 million more than the IAD-AMS route. These flights can be direct or with stopovers in New York or Chicago, with the Chicago layover extending travel time by approximately two hours. Routes with 10,000-15,000 Seats Washington Dulles (IAD) to Brussels (BRU) United operates 31 flights to Brussels, offering a total of 10,850 seats, averaging 350 seats per departure. Brussels Airlines is the only other airline competing on this non-stop route. United flies Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, while Brussels Airlines uses Airbus A330s. Washington Dulles (IAD) to Cancun (CUN) United offers the lowest seats per departure among routes with over 10,000 seats. United is the only airline providing non-stop flights on this route. Competitors offering one-stop flights include Delta Air Lines via Detroit or Atlanta, and American Airlines via Charlotte. United also provides one-stop options via Chicago, Houston, or New York. Washington Dulles (IAD) to Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and Rome Fiumicino (FCO) United offers 14,849 seats on both the IAD-CDG and IAD-FCO routes. ITA Airways competes on the IAD-FCO route, using Airbus A330s, while United operates Boeing 777s and 767s. Routes with Over 15,000 Seats Washington Dulles (IAD) to London Heathrow (LHR) United offers slightly over 17,000 seats on this competitive route. Major competitors include British Airways and Virgin Atlantic. British Airways also uses Airbus A380s in addition to Boeing 777s. Washington Dulles (IAD) to Frankfurt (FRA) United provides the highest seat availability on this list with 19,406 seats. Lufthansa is the only other airline offering direct flights on this route, using Airbus A340 series aircraft, while United operates Boeing 777s. United Airlines continues to grow its international presence, offering a variety of routes and competitive services from Washington Dulles International Airport. Whether traveling for business or leisure, United’s extensive network and range of seating options provide a suitable choice for every passenger.

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Vietjet Spearheads Post-Pandemic Recovery with New Routes in Asia

Vietjet, along with other Asian airlines, is leading the charge as the world recovers from the pandemic. Most airlines have reinstated their pre-pandemic routes, especially the profitable ones, and are actively exploring new opportunities. Low-cost carriers like Vietjet, AirAsia, and Scoot are focusing on new regional routes, with China and South Korea as major targets for these expansions. Vietjet’s Inaugural Vietnam to Xi’an Flight Vietjet, Vietnam’s largest private airline, has launched nonstop flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Xi’an, the historic Chinese city famed for the Terracotta Army. This makes Vietjet the sole airline providing direct connections from Vietnam to Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province. This move follows the airline’s successful routes to Shanghai and Chengdu. On July 1, Vietjet flight VJ3932 departed from Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City at 21:14 and landed at Xi’an Xianyang International (XIY) at 02:15, after a 4-hour and 2-minute journey. The flight was operated with an Airbus A320-200, registration VN-A666. The return flight, VJ3933, left Xi’an on July 2 at 03:52 and arrived back in Ho Chi Minh City at 06:43. Subsequently, the aircraft operated several other routes, including flights between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Hoi, and Seoul’s Incheon International Airport (ICN). This new route will operate four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, enhancing Vietjet’s presence in China, where it began operations in 2014. Earlier this year, Vietjet introduced nonstop flights from Ho Chi Minh City to both Shanghai and Chengdu, further expanding its network in China. Celebrating a Decade of Vietnam-South Korea Connections This year also marks a decade since Vietjet began connecting Vietnam with South Korea. To celebrate, the airline announced a new route between Nha Trang and Daegu, South Korea’s fourth-largest city, starting on October 27, 2024. South Korea remains Vietnam’s largest source of international visitors, contributing 3.6 million of the total 12.6 million visitors in 2023. Over the past decade, Vietjet has transported ten million passengers between Vietnam and South Korea through 37 regular and charter services. Vietjet boasts the largest capacity between Vietnam and South Korea, linking Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, and Da Lat with Seoul, Busan, and Daegu. In the first half of 2024, Vietjet launched several new international routes, including flights from Hanoi to Sydney and Melbourne in Australia, and Hiroshima in Japan. Additionally, the airline has connected Phu Quoc with Kaohsiung and Taichung in Taiwan, continuing its aggressive expansion strategy.

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Saudia Airline Eases Travel to Paris Olympics 2024, Carrying Travelers from Over 100 Destinations

Saudia, formerly known as Saudi Arabian Airlines, is the flag carrier of Saudi Arabia and is based in Jeddah. With its main hub at King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah and another significant hub at King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, Saudia has been a cornerstone of aviation in the region. However, by 2030, the airline plans to pull out of Riyadh as a major hub, focusing more on its Jeddah operations. Saudia operates domestic and international scheduled flights to over 100 destinations across the Middle East, Africa, Asia, Europe, and North America. The airline also provides domestic and international charter flights, particularly during the Ramadan and Hajj seasons. Saudia made history by joining the SkyTeam airline alliance on May 29, 2012, becoming the first carrier from the Persian Gulf region to join one of the three major airline alliances. Additionally, Saudia is a founding member of the Arab Air Carriers’ Organization. Paris Launches New Electronic Visa for Olympic Tourists Exciting news for travelers! In anticipation of the upcoming Olympics, Paris has introduced a new electronic visa specifically designed for tourists. This streamlined process will make it easier than ever to attend the grand event. Here’s what you need to know: Simplified Application Process: The new e-visa system allows tourists to apply online, reducing the need for physical paperwork and long wait times. Quick Approval: With advanced processing capabilities, most e-visas will be approved within a few days, ensuring last-minute planners can still join the festivities. Enhanced Security: The electronic system incorporates advanced security measures to ensure a safe and secure entry for all visitors. Wide Accessibility: Available to citizens of many countries, this initiative aims to welcome a diverse and global audience to Paris. Special Perks for Olympic Visitors: E-visa holders will receive information on exclusive Olympic events, ticketing options, and more. Record-Breaking Passenger Traffic In 2023, passenger traffic in Saudi Arabia reached a new record of about 112 million, growing 26% year-on-year (YoY) and more than 8% compared to 2019. This surge confirms the recovery of the Kingdom’s aviation sector from the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact. According to Saudia’s Q1 2024 performance report, the airline transported over 8.3 million guests across domestic and international destinations. This positive trend was supported by an 11% increase in scheduled and additional flights, totaling 46.8 thousand, while flight hours climbed by 13% to 144.7 thousand. Connecting to Paris for the Olympics Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, also known as Roissy Airport or simply Paris CDG, is the main international airport serving Paris, the capital of France. Located 23 km northeast of Paris, it serves as the principal hub for Air France and a destination for other legacy carriers from Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam. It is also an operating base for easyJet and Norse Atlantic Airways. In 2022, Paris CDG handled 57,474,033 passengers and 34,657 aircraft movements, making it the world’s ninth busiest airport and Europe’s third busiest airport in terms of passenger numbers. It is the busiest airport within the European Union and the airport with the most airline connections, with over 105 airlines operating there. As the Paris Olympics approach, Saudia is poised to play a critical role in transporting global travelers to this prestigious event. With multiple flights to Paris, travelers can easily reach the heart of the action at the Olympics, experiencing the best of global sportsmanship and culture. Saudia’s commitment to connecting the world and enhancing passenger experiences continues to shine as it takes global travelers across the globe, including to the highly anticipated Paris Olympics.

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