The first charter flight from Azur Air Lands in Abu Dhabi from Moscow to a water-cannon salute. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism
The first charter flight from Azur Air Lands in Abu Dhabi from Moscow to a water-cannon salute. Courtesy Abu Dhabi Culture and Tourism

Abu Dhabi welcomes first Azur Air charter flight from Moscow



In response to rising demand on routes between Abu Dhabi and Russia, the emirate's Department of Culture and Tourism has partnered  with Anex, an aviation and tourism services provider, to charter direct flights between the two.

As part of the agreement, twice-weekly charter flights from Moscow to Abu Dhabi International Airport will operate for six months, and the first Azur Air charter landed in Abu Dhabi on Friday evening, with all 186 seats booked.

“This is a huge step forward in Abu Dhabi’s tourism future, particularly for nonstop air service from Russia,” said Sultan Al Mutawa Al Dhaheri, the acting executive director for the DCT’s tourism sector.

“We are excited to position the capital as the arriving and departing gateway for hundreds of Russian long-stay travellers looking to enjoy a relaxing yet affordable holiday. We are confident that this initiative will enable us to tap into the growing appetite to visit Abu Dhabi and experience its diverse attractions.”

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Read more:

Water taxi services between Louvre Abu Dhabi and other major attractions launched

All aboard: cruise season launches with arrival of Seabourn Encore to Abu Dhabi

Cultural hub Manarat Al Saadiyat to reopen in Abu Dhabi

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Abu Dhabi has witnessed a dramatic upsurge in travellers – both from Russia and countries within the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) – following the visa-free travel requirements implemented at the beginning of the year for Russian residents, the DCT said.

From January to August this year, Russian and CIS hotel guest numbers totalled 59,040 compared to 49,976 in the corresponding period in 2016, an increase of 18 per cent.

Both markets together have shown double-digit growth, while travellers from Russia are among the top three longest-staying visitors in Abu Dhabi, with an average of one to two weeks.

Currently, Abu Dhabi has approximately 1,800 weekly seats from all Russia and CIS markets. With this programme, the Department of Tourism and Culture – Abu Dhabi aims to compensate for the lack of direct flights ahead of an anticipated surge in the number of visitors from Russia and the CIS following the relaxation of visa requirements.

Anex Tour ranks among the top 10 largest and most credible tour operators in Russia, with offices in 37 regions in Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. Last season, the company had 13 weekly charter flights via Azur Air from five Russian cities, including nine flights from Moscow to Dubai.

“We are planning to increase the percentage of sales for Abu Dhabi packages at least twice through the exposed flight programme and increasing the number of exclusive contracts with the hotels,” said Svetlana Volynchuk, the supervisor of UAE within the business development department at Anex Tour.

Abu Dhabi becomes a recognised and loved brand among Russian tourists, who rely on high service hotels, security, convenience of urban infrastructure, varied excursion programme, she said.

"Abu Dhabi is 10 to 15 per cent cheaper than other travel destinations in the region," said Ms Volynchuk.

Azur Air is one of the largest charter carriers in Russia, according to Mikhail Kritskiy, general manager for Azur Air.

“We see great potential in the development of the flight programme for the UAE. In the autumn-winter season of 2017-2018 year, this direction promises to be one of the most popular for Russian tourists.

“Azur Air actively contributes to the influx of Russians to UAE resorts. Considering the growing interest of Russian tourists to the country ... the airline seeks to promote the development of travel opportunities for Russian citizens and now opens charter flights to Abu Dhabi.”

The Anex Charter Programme focuses on providing a value-added experience for visitors from Russia, with supporting programmes to offer transportation benefits, Anex said. When fully implemented, the programme is expected to lead to a 40 per cent increase in the number of visitors from Russia to Abu Dhabi.

RESULT

Liverpool 4 Southampton 0
Jota (2', 32')
Thiago (37')
Van Dijk (52')

Man of the match: Diogo Jota (Liverpool)

EMIRATES'S%20REVISED%20A350%20DEPLOYMENT%20SCHEDULE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEdinburgh%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%204%20%3Cem%3E(unchanged)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBahrain%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%2015%20%3Cem%3E(from%20September%2015)%3C%2Fem%3E%3B%20second%20daily%20service%20from%20January%201%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EKuwait%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20November%2015%20%3Cem%3E(from%20September%2016)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMumbai%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20October%2027)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAhmedabad%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20October%2027)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColombo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20January%202%20%3Cem%3E(from%20January%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMuscat%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cem%3E%20%3C%2Fem%3EMarch%201%3Cem%3E%20(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ELyon%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBologna%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20March%201%20%3Cem%3E(from%20December%201)%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20Emirates%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Apple%20Mac%20through%20the%20years
%3Cp%3E1984%20-%20Apple%20unveiled%20the%20Macintosh%20on%20January%2024%3Cbr%3E1985%20-%20Steve%20Jobs%20departed%20from%20Apple%20and%20established%20NeXT%3Cbr%3E1986%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20Macintosh%20Plus%2C%20featuring%20enhanced%20memory%3Cbr%3E1987%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20Macintosh%20II%2C%20equipped%20with%20colour%20capabilities%3Cbr%3E1989%20-%20The%20widely%20acclaimed%20Macintosh%20SE%2F30%20made%20its%20debut%3Cbr%3E1994%20-%20Apple%20presented%20the%20Power%20Macintosh%3Cbr%3E1996%20-%20The%20Macintosh%20System%20Software%20OS%20underwent%20a%20rebranding%20as%20Mac%20OS%3Cbr%3E2001%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20Mac%20OS%20X%2C%20marrying%20Unix%20stability%20with%20a%20user-friendly%20interface%3Cbr%3E2006%20-%20Apple%20adopted%20Intel%20processors%20in%20MacBook%20Pro%20laptops%3Cbr%3E2008%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20MacBook%20Air%2C%20a%20lightweight%20laptop%3Cbr%3E2012%20-%20Apple%20launched%20the%20MacBook%20Pro%20with%20a%20retina%20display%3Cbr%3E2016%20-%20The%20Mac%20operating%20system%20underwent%20rebranding%20as%20macOS%3Cbr%3E2020%20-%20Apple%20introduced%20the%20M1%20chip%20for%20Macs%2C%20combining%20high%20performance%20and%20energy%20efficiency%3Cbr%3E2022%20-%20The%20M2%20chip%20was%20announced%3Cbr%3E2023%20-The%20M3%20line-up%20of%20chip%20was%20announced%20to%20improve%20performance%20and%20add%20new%20capabilities%20for%20Mac.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Manchester City 4
Otamendi (52) Sterling (59) Stones (67) Brahim Diaz (81)

Real Madrid 1
Oscar (90)

FIXTURES

All kick-off times 10.45pm UAE ( 4 GMT)

Tuesday
Mairobr v Liverpool
Spartak Moscow v Sevilla
Feyenoord v Shakhtar Donetsk
Manchester City v Napoli
Monaco v Besiktas
RB Leipzig v Porto
Apoel Nicosia v Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid v Tottenham Hotspur

Wednesday
Benfica v Manchester United
CSKA Moscow v Basel
Bayern Munich v Celtic
Anderlecht v Paris Saint-Germain
Qarabag v Atletico Madrid
Chelsea v Roma
Barcelona v Olympiakos
Juventus v Sporting Lisbon

RESULTS

1.30pm Handicap (PA) Dh 50,000 (Dirt) 1,400m

Winner AF Almomayaz, Hugo Lebouc (jockey), Ali Rashid Al Raihe (trainer)

2pm Handicap (TB) Dh 84,000 (D) 1,400m

Winner Karaginsky, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

2.30pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,200m

Winner Sadeedd, Ryan Curatolo, Nicholas Bachalard.

3pm Conditions (TB) Dh 100,000 (D) 1,950m

Winner Blue Sovereign, Clement Lecoeuvre, Erwan Charpy.

3.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 76,000 (D) 1,800m

Winner Tailor’s Row, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.

4pm Maiden (TB) Dh 60,000 (D) 1,600m

Winner Bladesmith, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar.

4.30pm Handicap (TB) Dh 68,000 (D) 1,000m

Winner Shanaghai City, Fabrice Veron, Rashed Bouresly.

Stage results

1. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Deceuninck-QuickStep  4:39:05

2. Michael Matthews (AUS) Team BikeExchange 0:00:08

3. Primoz Roglic (SLV) Jumbo-Visma same time 

4. Jack Haig (AUS) Bahrain Victorious s.t  

5. Wilco Kelderman (NED) Bora-Hansgrohe s.t  

6. Tadej Pogacar (SLV) UAE Team Emirates s.t 

7. David Gaudu (FRA) Groupama-FDJ s.t

8. Sergio Higuita Garcia (COL) EF Education-Nippo s.t     

9. Bauke Mollema (NED) Trek-Segafredo  s.t

10. Geraint Thomas (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers s.t

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5