Browsing: Travel

Dubai-based flag carrier Emirates has begun the northern winter travel season with strong forward booking figures across its international routes, surpassing initial corporate expectations. This momentum follows a high-capacity summer period where the airline carried over 8.6 million passengers to 140 destinations worldwide during July and August. Healthy demand from both leisure travelers and premium segments continues to fuel passenger numbers as Emirates boosts capacity to meet seasonal demand forecasts.

Etihad Airways plans to launch year-round flights connecting Abu Dhabi with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Airport on Oct. 4, 2026. Initially, the airline will operate one flight per week, increasing to two weekly departures starting Oct. 25. This new route will make Red Sea International the sixth Saudi destination in Etihad’s network, enhancing direct connectivity between the UAE capital and Saudi Arabia.

Indonesia resumed operations at Jakarta’s primary airport along with several regional hubs on Tuesday following a volcanic ash cloud from Anak Krakatau that had caused widespread travel disruptions. The ash cloud impacted nearly 3,000 flights and affected more than 340,000 travelers nationwide. Soekarno-Hatta International Airport resumed services after authorities confirmed a reduction in ash levels. Monitoring stations recorded three minor eruptions on Tuesday morning, with the volcano remaining at Level III, Indonesia’s second-highest alert status.

Low-cost airline operator Air Arabia revealed plans on Friday to broaden its Southeast Asian routes, boosting the number of flights between the United Arab Emirates and Thailand. Starting October 25, 2026, the airline will add a fourth daily nonstop flight linking Sharjah International Airport with Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. This increase results in a total of 28 weekly non-stop services between Sharjah and Bangkok, offering greater flexibility for both leisure and business travelers. Air Arabia is stepping up Bangkok flights to four daily departures from Sharjah to meet rising regional travel demand along key commercial routes.

In July 2026, South Korea hosted 2,093,223 international visitors, indicating a robust rebound in global tourism. This figure represents a 20.8% rise from the 1,733,199 arrivals recorded in July 2025, and is 44.6% higher than the pre-pandemic July 2019 level. China remained South Korea’s largest source market for inbound visitors in July. The month also saw notable growth compared to July 2024, when South Korea welcomed 1,408,499 international visitors, making this year’s total 48.6% higher. China continued to be the leading source of inbound travelers in July 2026, contributing approximately 777,000 visitors. Japan, Taiwan, the United States, and Hong Kong rounded out the top five source markets.

Air Arabia is set to launch nonstop flights connecting Sharjah and Gdansk starting December 14, 2026, establishing a new link between the UAE and northern Poland. The airline plans to operate five weekly flights between Sharjah International Airport and Gdansk Lech Walesa Airport. Flights are scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, providing Polish travelers in the Pomeranian region with direct access to Sharjah.

Etihad Airways will introduce a seasonal nonstop route connecting Abu Dhabi and Gothenburg starting December 17, 2026. The flight service will operate four times weekly until March 21, 2027, linking Zayed International Airport with Göteborg Landvetter Airport during the winter season. This new route establishes a direct connection between the UAE capital and Sweden’s second-largest city. Tickets are currently available through the airline’s booking channels.

South Korea recorded a $596.6 million tourism surplus in June 2026, marking its strongest monthly result since the COVID-19 pandemic began. The figure represents an increase of approximately $1.44 billion compared to June 2025, when the country faced an $846.8 million deficit. Data from the Korea Tourism Organization identified June as the second-highest monthly tourism surplus on record, with only October 2008 surpassing it at $661.5 million.

Spain has begun implementing temporary border controls for individuals arriving from Italy by air and sea. The new procedures started at midnight on Aug. 8 and are set to remain in place until Sept. 7. Authorities are now scrutinizing travel and immigration documents on routes that typically operate without regular internal border checks. This move follows Italy’s earlier decision to reintroduce controls on certain passengers arriving from Spain.

Dubai-based airline flydubai announced a significant expansion of its European route network on Wednesday, boosting flight frequencies to major Italian cities to accommodate rising international travel. Confirmed by Emirates News Agency, flydubai is enhancing its operations in Italy with more flights to Milan-Bergamo and Naples, strengthening direct links between the United Arab Emirates and Southern Europe. Starting July 31, 2026, the airline will operate double daily flights between Dubai International Airport and Milan-Bergamo Airport. Additionally, the airline has increased its Naples International Airport service to a daily schedule, solidifying its presence in Italy’s key urban hubs.