News Desk RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah is continuing its intensive coordination with international Hajj affairs offices to promote awareness of official procedures. The goal is to ensure that essential guidance and instructional messages reach pilgrims in their home countries well before they arrive in the Kingdom.  These international efforts aim to establish the Hajj permit as …

6 million guest journeys, 32,000 aircraft movements and 213,000 tonnes of cargo handled during disruption By Rafiq Vayani DUBAI: Dubai International (DXB) continued to sustain global connectivity through a period of regional disruption that significantly constrained airspace capacity and flight schedules across a critical aviation corridor. With airspace within the UAE now fully restored, Dubai Airports is moving decisively to …

News Desk DUBAI: Türkiye’s Minister of Culture and Tourism, Mehmet Nuri Ersoy, held a press conference in Istanbul where he announced the country’s tourism statistics for the first three months of 2026. Türkiye experienced a 4.2% rise in international visitors, totalling 9.2 million. The country also reported an impressive USD 9.896 billion in tourism revenue for the first quarter, which is again a 4.2% increase compared to the …

News Desk RIYADH: The Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah has issued an urgent appeal to all individuals planning to perform Hajj, stressing the absolute necessity of verifying the validity of their Hajj permits before making any financial commitments or travel arrangements. Ministry officials stated that permit compliance is foundational to the security of pilgrims and the orderly movement of …

News Desk MUSCAT: SalamAir, Oman’s Low-Cost Carrier, has announced the opening of sales for its newest route to Kigali, Rwanda, further expanding its growing presence across the African market. Flights are set to commence on 21st July 2026, subject to regulatory approvals, with the airline operating two weekly flights between Muscat and Kigali on Tuesday and Thursday, offering passengers convenient and affordable travel options. One-way Lite fares on the …

By Javed Iqbal KARACHI: The Consulate of Sri Lanka organized a colorful and lively celebration of the Sinhala and Tamil New Year (Surya Udanaya) at the lush lawns of Iqra University Defence Campus. The event witnessed enthusiastic participation from the Sri Lankan community residing in Karachi, as well as Sri Lankan students studying at various educational institutions. The ceremony featured …

News Desk PARIS: Paris has been named Official Host Destination for the World Sustainable Travel & Hospitality Awards 2026, with the Gala Ceremony to take place in the French capital on 9 December 2026 as the culmination of the two-day World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance Summit. The announcement marks a significant strengthening of the strategic partnership between the Awards and the Alliance, bringing together …

Becoming the First Airline in Saudi Arabia to Adopt the Evidence-Based Training (EBT) Program for Pilots RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA: flynas, the leading low-cost airline in the world and the best LCC in the Middle East, has officially signed an agreement with Airbus to implement both the Evidence-Based Training (EBT) framework and the Airbus MATe Suite, a cutting-edge digital training platform, …

By Rafiq Vayani ABU DHABI: Etihad Airways and Air Cambodia have launched a codeshare partnership today, giving Etihad customers easier access to Cambodia’s iconic Angkor Wat temple complex and one of Southeast Asia’s most captivating destinations. Through the partnership, Etihad customers can book flights from across its network to Siem Reap via Phnom Penh on a single ticket, with baggage checked through to …

By Rafiq Vayani KARACHI: The Consulate of Malaysia in Karachi was delighted to take part in the vibrant Songkran Festival hosted by the Royal Thai Consulate. Held at IVY Tower, the celebration beautifully brought Thailand’s rich cultural heritage to life through traditional rituals, lively water festivities, and an impressive spread of authentic Thai cuisine. The event was officiated by H.E. …