A YEAR IN REVIEW

September Abu Dhabi Quarantine Lift

Abu Dhabi lifts quarantine measures to fully vaccinated tourists and residents travelling from all countries around the world, as well as unvaccinated visitors from ‘Green List’ countries, with no quarantine measures in force.

Envi Lodges Glamping Brand Launch

New luxury experiential eco-lodge brand and management company, ENVI Lodges, launches in the GCC. The brand taps into growing demand for authentic travel experiences, with the value of the global experiential lodging (glamping) market expected to reach US$3.9 billion by 2027.

EMIRATES' IATA FIRST

Emirates is the first airline to implement the International Air Transport Association's IATA Travel Pass solution on six continents as it rolls out this digital health pass to customers at all its destinations. It follows successful trials in April 2021 on select routes from its Dubai International hub.

October

WORLD’S GREATEST SHOW KICKS OFF

Expo 2020 Dubai, an event 10 years in the making, opens to the public on October 1, staged under the theme ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’, with subthemes, Mobility, Opportunity and Sustainability aiming to provide solutions to the global challenges we face today. More than 192 countries take part in the event billed as the ‘World’s Greatest Show’.

Red Sea Signs Nine Hotels

The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC) signs hotel management agreements with international hotel brands to operate nine resorts in the first phase of The Red Sea Project’s development. Brands on board include EDITION. St Regis, Fairmont, Raffles, SLS, Grand Hyatt, InterContinental, Six Senses and Jumeirah. There are 16 properties planned in total under phase one.

Dxb Is 60

Dubai Airports marks the 60th anniversary of the official opening of Dubai International (DXB). Since 1960, DXB has served 1.115 billion passengers travelling on more than 7.47 million flights connecting more than 240 destinations in 95 countries across the globe.

“DXB, which is at the centre of Dubai’s proud aviation history, is testimony to the fact that great things can be achieved through vision, forward-thinking, innovation, collaboration and hard work. Over the next half a century, we will continue to strengthen our role in connecting the world and supporting the social and economic development of Dubai.”

November

EK REVEALS PREMIUM ECONOMY ROLL OUT PLAN

Emirates says it will retrofit 105 of its modern widebody aircraft with its Premium Economy product over an 18-month period, starting at the end of 2022. It will see 52 Emirates A380s and 53 Boeing 777s fitted with the new cabin class.

FLYNAS LAUNCHES FIRST INTERNATIONAL FLIGHTS TO ALULA

Saudi carrier flynas launches the first direct international flights into AlUla International Airport on November 19, 2021, with services operating three times weekly from Dubai International and twice weekly from Kuwait International Airport.

SAUDIA UNVEILS MEGA LOUNGE

SAUDIA launches its newest Alfursan lounge in Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport international terminal. The 3,500 sqm lounge can accommodate more than 10,000 guests daily, making it the largest of its kind across the SkyTeam Alliance network worldwide. It also hosts authentic dining experiences and will soon showcase local art and cultural displays.