Emirates has announced a major milestone in its retail expansion strategy with the opening of its 10th flagship ‘Emirates World’ store in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. This brings its global portfolio to 10 Emirates World Stores and 9 travel retail outlets worldwide.

The airline has already invested AED 174 million (USD 47.4 million) in growing its retail network and plans to accelerate further with 29 new travel retail concepts set to debut in 2026, targeting a total of 48 outlets by year-end.

Designed to deliver personalisation, expert guidance, and a hands-on experience of Emirates’ signature onboard products, the Emirates World stores combine hospitality, innovation, and immersive digital technology. Since their launch in 2024, the concept stores have welcomed more than 1.4 million visitors, underlining their success as key touchpoints in the customer travel journey.

Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, highlighted the momentum:

“As we continue expanding our Emirates World Stores globally, we’re creating spaces where travellers and our partners can connect with our brand, explore our premium products, and experience advanced technologies that reimagine how they plan their journeys.

With many more openings planned this year, we look forward to welcoming customers into beautifully designed spaces where they can receive expert support and discover how Emirates helps them truly ‘fly better’.”

The first Emirates World store launched in November 2022 in the heart of Dubai’s Jumeirah district, spanning 3,000 square feet. The Dubai flagship became the template for subsequent openings in London, Nairobi, Casablanca, Manila, Cairo, Singapore, Bangkok, and Riyadh.

Complementing these major locations, Emirates has also rolled out mid-sized concept outlets in Paris, Karachi, Hong Kong, Accra, Geneva, Mauritius, and Jakarta, with upcoming expansions eyed for Athens, Rome, Madrid, Istanbul, Amman, New Delhi, Mumbai, Shenzhen, Tokyo, and Cape Town.

Each Emirates World store reflects its local market, with bespoke layouts and experiences tailored to regional customer preferences. Factors such as location dynamics, foot traffic patterns, and consumer trends inform every site’s design. For instance, the Dubai store incorporates a dedicated networking hub for the travel trade, while stores in Singapore, Riyadh, Cairo, and London feature a First-Class suite display.

Visitors in Casablanca, Hong Kong, and London can explore the Premium Economy cabin, while Cairo and London also recreate the airline’s iconic A380 onboard lounge experience.

The newly opened Abidjan store continues this approach, featuring a Business Class seat and a replica of the A380 onboard lounge, reinforcing Emirates’ commitment to premium service and experiential retail.

To enhance convenience, all Emirates World locations integrate digital self-service kiosks and interactive elements such as selfie mirrors with scenic destination backdrops. Stores also showcase exclusive destination-inspired collections and Emirates-branded travel accessories, allowing visitors to purchase curated merchandise — from souvenirs to premium travel essentials.

Some outlets, such as the London store, feature special collections inspired by Emirates’ local sponsorships, including Wimbledon, the Emirates Great Britain SailGP Team, and Arsenal FC.

Guests can also sign up for Emirates Skywards, the airline’s award-winning loyalty programme, directly through the in-store kiosks, gaining instant access to exclusive rewards and travel benefits.

Qatar Airways has cautioned passengers that refund processing times may be extended due to ongoing operational pressures, while emphasizing that teams are actively working to handle requests as efficiently as possible.

The airline confirmed that travelers holding confirmed bookings with departure dates between February 28 and April 30, 2026, can opt either to request a full refund or modify their travel dates without penalty.

According to the carrier, refunds returned to the original method of payment could take as long as 28 working days to complete. Passengers are advised to monitor their email for updates after submitting a request, as this will provide the latest status of their application.

Qatar Airways noted that reimbursement amounts will reflect the unused portion of the ticket. Any additional services purchased, such as seat selection, will be processed and refunded separately.

Customers looking for further information or support with their bookings are encouraged to consult the airline’s official travel updates portal for the most recent guidance.

Source: Zawya

India is set to abolish temporary limits on domestic airfares from Monday, according to a government directive reviewed by Reuters, as the aviation sector shows signs of recovery and carriers face mounting cost pressures.

The fare restrictions were introduced in December after widespread flight cancellations by leading airline IndiGo led to a spike in ticket prices across the market. The government intervened to stabilise fares during a period of reduced capacity.

In its latest order, the civil aviation ministry said operating conditions have improved, pointing to restored flight capacity and a return to more stable operations. The directive, dated Friday and examined by Reuters on Saturday, has not been officially released. Officials from the ministry did not respond to requests for comment.

Airlines had called for the removal of the caps, saying the controls were contributing to substantial revenue losses while operating expenses continued to rise. Higher jet fuel prices, partly driven by the conflict involving Iran, have added to the financial strain.

Although airlines have not disclosed specific loss figures, analysts at HSBC estimate that a $1 per barrel increase in fuel prices could raise IndiGo’s annual fuel costs by roughly 3 billion rupees.

Under the temporary rules, fares for flights up to 500 kilometres were capped at 7,500 rupees ($80.07), while routes between 1,000 and 1,500 kilometres—including New Delhi to Mumbai—had a maximum fare of 15,000 rupees.

Despite lifting the caps, the government has directed airlines to keep ticket prices fair and transparent, ensuring they reflect market conditions without harming passenger interests.

Source: Khaleej Times

Singapore Airlines (SIA) has announced plans to begin non-stop services between Singapore and Riyadh from June 2026, marking a significant step in its Middle East network expansion. The airline intends to operate the route four times a week using its Airbus A350-900 medium-haul aircraft.

The aircraft will be configured with 303 seats, including 40 in Business Class and 263 in Economy Class, offering passengers a two-cabin travel option.

Pending regulatory approval, flight SQ498 will depart Singapore at 18:20 local time on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, arriving in Riyadh at 21:45. The return service, SQ499, is scheduled to leave Riyadh at 23:00 on the same days, landing in Singapore at 12:15 the following day.

From 25 October 2026, minor schedule adjustments will take effect. Departures from Singapore will shift to 17:40, arriving in Riyadh at 21:35, while return flights will depart Riyadh at 22:50 and arrive in Singapore at 11:50 the next day.

Lee Lik Hsin, Chief Commercial Officer of Singapore Airlines, said the move reflects Riyadh’s growing economic significance. He noted that the Saudi capital’s rapid development and strong business environment position it as a key destination in the region. He added that the new route could also enhance collaboration with partner airlines, providing customers with broader travel options across the Middle East.

Riyadh will become the second Saudi destination served by the SIA Group, complementing Scoot’s existing four-times weekly flights to Jeddah.

As the capital and financial hub of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh offers a mix of cultural and modern attractions. Visitors can explore historic landmarks such as Diriyah and Masmak Fortress, alongside museums, high-end hotels, and diverse retail and dining experiences.

Ticket sales for the new service will be introduced gradually through Singapore Airlines’ distribution channels, subject to final approvals.

Philippine Airlines has suspended all flights between Manila and the Gulf hubs of Dubai and Doha until April 30, leaving thousands of overseas Filipinos and other travellers rushing to adjust their plans.

The flag carrier’s decision, driven by heightened security risks and airspace uncertainties in parts of the Middle East, extends an earlier series of short-term cancellations and effectively wipes out PAL’s Dubai (PR 658/659) and Doha (PR 684/685) services for the rest of April.

For affected passengers, PAL is offering a range of options. Travellers can rebook to a later date once services resume, with the airline waiving rebooking fees in line with its current advisories. Those who no longer wish to push through with their trip may opt to convert the value of their ticket into a travel credit for future use, or request a refund subject to the fare conditions.

Passengers are urged to first check if their flight falls within the suspension period using PAL’s online manage booking facility or by contacting the carrier’s customer service channels. From there, they can decide whether to secure the earliest possible rebooked flight after April 30, bank their ticket value for a later trip, or cancel altogether.

Travel agents and community groups in the Gulf are also advising Filipino workers and residents to consider alternative routings on other airlines while PAL’s Middle East operations are on hold, especially for those with urgent travel needs such as contract changes, medical emergencies or planned vacations.

With the situation in the region still fluid, Philippine Airlines has encouraged passengers to monitor its official advisories regularly, noting that any further extensions, resumptions, or special flights will be announced through its website and social media channels.

Saudia announced an increase of 20 flights connecting Riyadh and Jeddah with the Red Sea destination during the Eid Al-Fitr holiday. Carried out in coordination with the Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) and the Red Sea destination, the move raises the total number of round-trip services on these routes to 44.

The expanded schedule is part of a broader partnership between Saudia and the STA designed to promote Saudi tourist sites and support the tourism sector’s development. Officials said the collaboration focuses on offering travelers more convenient flight options and enhancing the onboard experience.

The initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s wider tourism ambitions, which include a target to welcome 150 million visitors by 2030.