Browsing: Travel

Emirates enters winter season with strong booking momentum

Emirates has officially entered the northern winter travel period with robust forward booking metrics across its international passenger route network. The Dubai-based flag carrier concluded its summer operational cycle ahead of initial corporate projections, supported by sustained leisure and premium travel demand. Emirates enters winter season with strong booking momentum following a high-density summer operational period during which the airline transported more than 8.6 million passengers between July and August across 140 global destinations.

Etihad Airways adds Saudi Red Sea route from Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways will launch year-round flights from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea coast on Oct. 4, 2026. The service will connect Zayed International Airport with Red Sea International Airport in Tabuk Province. Etihad will start with one weekly flight, then increase the route to two flights a week from Oct. 25. The journey will take just over three hours, adding a sixth Saudi destination to Etihad’s network.

Anak Krakatau ash hits nearly 3,000 flights in Indonesia

Indonesia reopened Jakarta’s main airport and several regional airports Tuesday after volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau disrupted air travel. Nearly 3,000 flights across Indonesia felt the impact. Anak Krakatau remained active Tuesday, with monitors recording three smaller eruptions during the morning.

Air Arabia boosts Sharjah Bangkok routes to 28 weekly flights

Air Arabia boosts Sharjah Bangkok routes to 28 weekly flights. Starting October 25, 2026, the airline will introduce a fourth daily non-stop service connecting Sharjah International Airport to Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. The added operational schedule brings the carrier’s weekly non-stop connections on the Sharjah-Bangkok route to 28 flights, enhancing schedule flexibility for leisure and business travelers. The expanded Bangkok operations complement the airline’s existing schedule to Thailand, which includes 21 weekly non-stop flights between Sharjah and Phuket. According to official fleet disclosures, the route will be serviced by the airline’s fleet of Airbus A320 and Airbus A321 aircraft.

Air Arabia sets December start for Sharjah Gdansk route

On Mondays and Saturdays, flight G9 0628 will leave Sharjah at 4 p.m. and arrive in Gdansk at 8 p.m. The return flight, G9 0629, will depart Gdansk at 8:50 p.m. It will reach Sharjah at 6:10 a.m. the following day. On Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, Sharjah departures are scheduled for 8:15 a.m. Return flights will leave Gdansk at 1:05 p.m. and arrive in Sharjah at 10:25 p.m. All published times are local.

Etihad sets December start for Abu Dhabi Gothenburg flights

The route will give Gothenburg its first direct air connection with the United Arab Emirates. It will also create the city’s first nonstop link to the Middle East and Asia. Passengers from western Sweden can connect through Abu Dhabi to destinations across India and Asia. The new service also provides direct access to Abu Dhabi for travelers departing from the Gothenburg region. Göteborg Landvetter Airport serves Gothenburg and the wider western Sweden market.

South Korea tourism surplus reaches post-pandemic high

South Korea recorded a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, its strongest monthly result since the COVID-19 pandemic. The figure marked a $1.44 billion improvement from June 2025, when the balance showed an $846.8 million deficit. Korea Tourism Organization data show June produced the second-highest monthly tourism surplus on record. Only October 2008 was higher, with a surplus of $661.5 million.

Spain begins temporary border checks for Italy arrivals

Spain has begun temporary border checks on travelers arriving from Italy by air and sea. The controls took effect at midnight on Aug. 8 and are scheduled to remain through Sept. 7. Spain introduced the measure after Italy imposed its own temporary controls on arrivals from Spain. The action adds document checks to routes that normally operate under the European Union’s Schengen system of internal travel.