Palolem Beach in Goa. Getty Images
Palolem Beach in Goa. Getty Images
Palolem Beach in Goa. Getty Images
Palolem Beach in Goa. Getty Images

12 new UAE flight routes for 2018


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As befitting a growing global travel hub, 2017 was an exciting time for new flight routes from the UAE. Airlines both consolidated existing routes and built on earlier launches to expand their networks, while partnerships and codeshare agreements literally opened up the world to UAE travellers wanting to travel only on UAE airlines. In July, for example, Emirates launched a daily service to the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, which stops en-route in Yangon; simultaneously, its Hanoi route, which had stopped in Yangon, became non-stop. One wonders what other South East Asian ports of call could be added later this year. A codeshare agreement with Flydubai has expanded Emirates' network by a further 29 destinations, while the Dubai-based low-cost carrier added several new routes of its own, including Batumi in Georgia, Qabala in Azerbaijan and Tivat in Montenegro.

From Abu Dhabi, airBaltic launched a direct service to the Latvian capital Riga, in partnership with Etihad Airways. Riga itself, a hub for airBaltic, announced five new routes from Riga from 2018, meaning that UAE travellers could continue their travels within Europe to the new locales of Bordeaux, Gdansk, Lisbon, Malaga and Split, perhaps booking a circular ticket to fly into one airport and out of the other, all the time using a trusted carrier.

For 2018, expansion is being focused on areas of consistent and substantial tourism growth, with a focus on Europe and Russia. The ability, since February 2017, of Russian passengers to receive a free 30-day visa on arrival in the UAE has led to a huge demand for flights from all over the country, opening up some of Russia's most interesting and previously inaccessible corners to travellers from the UAE. Flydubai alone now offers over 50 flights a week to 11 destinations in Russia, the most recent of which are Makhachkala, Ufa and Voronezh. While new routes will be added throughout the year, these are the 12 we're most excited about now.

Makhachkala, Russia. Flydubai
Makhachkala, Russia. Flydubai

1. Abu Dhabi to Goa, Jet Airways

Not a moment too soon, a direct service has just been launched between Abu Dhabi and Goa, turning what used to be at least an 8 hour ordeal via Bombay or Muscat into a breezy 3 hour hop (even if the flight from Abu Dhabi does depart at 10.50pm, arriving in India just before 4am local time). What's more, this route is the first and only direct link between the UAE and the south Indian state, one of India's major tourism centres. With return tickets currently available from Dh843 return including taxes, we anticipate plenty of demand for long weekends from residents of the UAE capital (www.jetairways.com).

2 Abu Dhabi to Baku, Etihad

The capital of Azerbaijan, boasting the Unesco-listed Walled City of Baku with the Shiranshah's Palace and Maiden Tower, as well as the ultra-modern Flame Towers and Zaha Hadid-designed Heydar Aliyev Center, is finally becoming a direct Etihad route on March 2. The thrice-weekly service also takes just three hours and Etihad's civilised flight schedule sees the outbound flight depart Abu Dhabi at 10.10am, arriving at 13.15, while the return departs Baku at 16.30, arriving at 19.25. Again, this more than halves previous indirect travel times of nine hours or more. With return flights currently on sale from Dh1,415 per person including taxes, we can see demand for this service selling out fast (www.etihad.com).

3. Dubai to Krakow, Flydubai

Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland. Flydubai
Wawel Castle in Krakow, Poland. Flydubai

Flydubai's first flights to Poland will start on April 8, when the airline launches a direct service to Krakow (this is also the first direct route to the city from the UAE). The country's cultural capital, Krakow boasts a Unesco-listed old town featuring Gothic, baroque and Renaissance architecture, smart hotels and low prices. Return tickets for the 5.5 hour flight are currently available from Dh2,245 return including taxes (www.flydubai.com).

4. Dubai to Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik, Croatia. Flydubai
Dubrovnik, Croatia. Flydubai

Starting on April 10 and continuing until October 25 for the summer season, UAE travellers can now fly direct to one of eastern Europe's most popular cities three times a week. The Croatian city's Old Town was world famous long before Game of Thrones was filmed there, and hotel options range from budget to luxury. The route reflects a growing demand for travel to the Balkans from the UAE and builds on the Dubai-Podgorica and Dubai-Tivat routes launched in 2017. Departures from Dubai on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, with return flights costing from 2,235 return including taxes (www.flydubai.com). The trip takes six hours.

5. Sharjah – Moscow Sheremetyevo

Moscow, Russia. Flydubai
Moscow, Russia. Flydubai

The number of direct routes starting between the UAE and Russia – whether it's Flydubai, Air Arabia or the Russian charter airline Rossiya, is continuing apace. From March 1, hot on the heels of FlyDubai, Air Arabia will complement its existing Sharjah-Moscow Domodedovo daily flight with a daily direct route into Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport, four times a week. While Domodedovo is situated to the south of Moscow, Sheremetyevo is located about the same distance to the north, with faster train services into the capital, one of the world's greatest cities. The flights take just over five hours and tickets are currently available from Dh1,055 return including taxes (www.airarabia.com).

6. Dubai to London Stansted, Emirates

Just in time for the summer exodus, Emirates has announced that it is launching a direct route between Dubai and Stansted Airport in Essex from June 8. While the route will partly cater to business travel, the route is also about getting more capacity into London, with extremely limited expansion options available at Heathrow. UK travellers will enjoy being able to fly into London whilst avoiding Heathrow's crowds. Those landing in Stansted can also travel quickly to the attractive English cities of Cambridge and Newmarket. The flight takes 7 hours and tickets are currently available from Dh2,665 return including taxes (www.emirates.com).

The Greek Theatre of Taormina, Catania, Sicily. Flydubai
The Greek Theatre of Taormina, Catania, Sicily. Flydubai

7. Dubai to Catania, Sicily

UAE holidaymakers heading to Sicily will also rejoice in being able to avoid a nine-hour ordeal flying via Rome or other Italian airports in order to get to the southern island of Sicily. From 13 June, it's a six-hour direct flight with Flydubai to Catania, costing from Dh2,185 return including taxes. Thanks to its proximity to Tunisia, Sicily enjoys deep Arab influences which are reflected in some of its architecture, culture and cuisine (www.flydubai.com).

8. Sharjah to Bodrum

Again offering respite from layovers in Istanbul, from June 13, Air Arabia is offering a seasonal direct route to Bodrum on the Turkish Riviera, which gets you there in 4.5 hours. The flight will operate three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing Sharjah International Airport at 21:45 hours, and arriving the next day at Bodrum's Milas Mugla International Airport at 01:30 hours local time. The return flight will depart Bodrum at 02:10 hours, landing in Sharjah at 07:35 hours local time. Tickets cost from Dh1,760 return including taxes (www.airarabia.com).

Kutaisi, Georgia. Flydubai
Kutaisi, Georgia. Flydubai

9. Dubai to Kutaisi, Georgia

Flydubai is continuing its run of direct routes into Georgia by launching a service to Kutaisi on 14 June. Kutaisi is Georgia's third biggest city and is located 220km west of the capital Tbilisi. "Capital of several historica kingdoms within Georgia, Kutaisi is today being revitalised after years of post-Soviet decline," says travel media company Lonely Planet. "Georgia's parliament was transferred from Tbilisi to brand-new quarters here in 2012 and Kutaisi's airport has become a destination for international budget airlines." Tickets for the twice-weekly flights cost from Dh1,445 return including taxes. The flight takes 3.5 hours (www.flydubai.com).

Voronezh, Russia. Flydubai
Voronezh, Russia. Flydubai

10. Dubai to Makhachkala, Ufa and Voronezh, Russia

Makhachkala, located on the Caspian Sea close to the borders of Georgia and Azerbaijan, has a population of over 500,000 and is home to the Makhachkala Grand Mosque, one of Russia's largest. Its location in the North Caucasus offers some striking scenery. Ufa, the capital of the Republic of Bashkortostan, has a population of over a million and is situated south-west of Yekaterinurg, close to Kazakhstan. Voronezh, an industrial city sometimes used as a stopover for journeys to Ukraine or the Caucasus, features some grand old buildings, a renovated city centre and hipster cafes. If only obtaining Russian visas was easier. Tickets for the 3.5 hour flight to Makhachkala cost from Dh1,600; the five-hour trip to Voronezh costs from Dh1,700, and the five-hour flights to Ufa cost from Dh1,381 return, all return including taxes (www.flydubai.com).

Ufa, Russia. Flydubai
Ufa, Russia. Flydubai

11. Sharjah to Asmara, Eritrea

Again following Flydubai, which launched a route to the Eritrean capital in 2015, Air Arabia is now offering one direct flight a week, priced from Dh1,400 return including taxes for the four-hour trip. Asmara is noted for its architecture, including art deco, modernist and futurist, coffee shops and restaurants. Most tourists need a permit to travel outside the city and travellers from the UAE will need to arrange visas in advance. Return flights cost from Dh1,400 return including taxes (www.airarabia.com).

Wildlife near Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Flydubai
Wildlife near Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania. Flydubai

12.  Dubai to Kilimanjaro

Just launched by Flydubai, this route solves the thorny, time-consuming issue of how safari travellers get to Tanzania's northern wildlife centres; previously, flights involved detours via Nairobi or Dar Es Salaam. Of course, the route is also ideal for those attempting to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, the highest mountain in Africa. Other attractions in the immediate area include Moshi, the coffee plantations of Arusha, Lake Chala and Arusha and Kilimanjaro National Parks. Once you've finished hiking, take an internal direct flight to the island of Zanzibar before flying back direct to Dubai from there. Return tickets for the 5.5 hour trip cost from Dh1,563 including taxes (www.flydubai.com).

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The%20stats%20and%20facts
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The biog

Name: Younis Al Balooshi

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn

Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Four%20scenarios%20for%20Ukraine%20war
%3Cp%3E1.%20Protracted%20but%20less%20intense%20war%20(60%25%20likelihood)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E2.%20Negotiated%20end%20to%20the%20conflict%20(30%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E3.%20Russia%20seizes%20more%20territory%20(20%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E4.%20Ukraine%20pushes%20Russia%20back%20(10%25)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EForecast%20by%20Economist%20Intelligence%20Unit%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
RESULTS
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TYPES%20OF%20ONLINE%20GIG%20WORK
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDesign%2C%20multimedia%20and%20creative%20work%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELogo%20design%2C%20website%20design%2C%20visualisations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20and%20professional%20management%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELegal%20or%20management%20consulting%2C%20architecture%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBusiness%20and%20professional%20support%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EResearch%20support%2C%20proofreading%2C%20bookkeeping%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESales%20and%20marketing%20support%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESearch%20engine%20optimisation%2C%20social%20media%20marketing%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EData%20entry%2C%20administrative%2C%20and%20clerical%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EData%20entry%20tasks%2C%20virtual%20assistants%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIT%2C%20software%20development%20and%20tech%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EData%20analyst%2C%20back-end%20or%20front-end%20developers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWriting%20and%20translation%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EContent%20writing%2C%20ghost%20writing%2C%20translation%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EOnline%20microtasks%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EImage%20tagging%2C%20surveys%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ESource%3A%20World%20Bank%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
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Sole survivors
  • Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
  • George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
  • Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
  • Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
Pakistan Super League

Previous winners

2016 Islamabad United

2017 Peshawar Zalmi

2018 Islamabad United

2019 Quetta Gladiators

 

Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286

Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65

Titanium Escrow profile

Started: December 2016
Founder: Ibrahim Kamalmaz
Based: UAE
Sector: Finance / legal
Size: 3 employees, pre-revenue  
Stage: Early stage
Investors: Founder's friends and Family

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

What is Reform?

Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.

It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.

Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.

After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.

Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.

The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.

Pakistanis%20at%20the%20ILT20%20
%3Cp%3EThe%20new%20UAE%20league%20has%20been%20boosted%20this%20season%20by%20the%20arrival%20of%20five%20Pakistanis%2C%20who%20were%20not%20released%20to%20play%20last%20year.%20%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%0D%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EShaheen%20Afridi%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ESet%20for%20at%20least%20four%20matches%2C%20having%20arrived%20from%20New%20Zealand%20where%20he%20captained%20Pakistan%20in%20a%20series%20loss.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EShadab%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0DThe%20leg-spin%20bowling%20allrounder%20missed%20the%20tour%20of%20New%20Zealand%20after%20injuring%20an%20ankle%20when%20stepping%20on%20a%20ball.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAzam%20Khan%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EPowerhouse%20wicketkeeper%20played%20three%20games%20for%20Pakistan%20on%20tour%20in%20New%20Zealand.%20He%20was%20the%20first%20Pakistani%20recruited%20to%20the%20ILT20.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMohammed%20Amir%20(Desert%20Vipers)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EHas%20made%20himself%20unavailable%20for%20national%20duty%2C%20meaning%20he%20will%20be%20available%20for%20the%20entire%20ILT20%20campaign.%20%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EImad%20Wasim%20(Abu%20Dhabi%20Knight%20Riders)%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EThe%20left-handed%20allrounder%2C%2035%2C%20retired%20from%20international%20cricket%20in%20November%20and%20was%20subsequently%20recruited%20by%20the%20Knight%20Riders.%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl

Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm

Transmission: 6-speed auto

Price: Dh99,000

On sale: now

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

The Breadwinner

Director: Nora Twomey

Starring: Saara Chaudry,  Soma Chhaya,  Laara Sadiq 

Three stars

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

What is graphene?

Graphene is extracted from graphite and is made up of pure carbon.

It is 200 times more resistant than steel and five times lighter than aluminum.

It conducts electricity better than any other material at room temperature.

It is thought that graphene could boost the useful life of batteries by 10 per cent.

Graphene can also detect cancer cells in the early stages of the disease.

The material was first discovered when Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov were 'playing' with graphite at the University of Manchester in 2004.

Martin Sabbagh profile

Job: CEO JCDecaux Middle East

In the role: Since January 2015

Lives: In the UAE

Background: M&A, investment banking

Studied: Corporate finance

Infiniti QX80 specs

Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6

Power: 450hp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000

Available: Now

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 290hp

Torque: 340Nm

Price: Dh155,800

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The Facility’s Versatility

Between the start of the 2020 IPL on September 20, and the end of the Pakistan Super League this coming Thursday, the Zayed Cricket Stadium has had an unprecedented amount of traffic.
Never before has a ground in this country – or perhaps anywhere in the world – had such a volume of major-match cricket.
And yet scoring has remained high, and Abu Dhabi has seen some classic encounters in every format of the game.
 
October 18, IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders tied with Sunrisers Hyderabad
The two playoff-chasing sides put on 163 apiece, before Kolkata went on to win the Super Over
 
January 8, ODI, UAE beat Ireland by six wickets
A century by CP Rizwan underpinned one of UAE’s greatest ever wins, as they chased 270 to win with an over to spare
 
February 6, T10, Northern Warriors beat Delhi Bulls by eight wickets
The final of the T10 was chiefly memorable for a ferocious over of fast bowling from Fidel Edwards to Nicholas Pooran
 
March 14, Test, Afghanistan beat Zimbabwe by six wickets
Eleven wickets for Rashid Khan, 1,305 runs scored in five days, and a last session finish
 
June 17, PSL, Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 15 runs
Usman Khawaja scored a hundred as Islamabad posted the highest score ever by a Pakistan team in T20 cricket

Brief scores:

Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first

Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)

Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15

Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)

Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49

Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

Milestones on the road to union

1970

October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar. 

December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.

1971

March 1:  Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.

July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.

July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.

August 6:  The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.

August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.

September 3: Qatar becomes independent.

November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.

November 29:  At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.

November 30: Despite  a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa. 

November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties

December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.

December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.

The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Power: 510hp at 9,000rpm
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
Price: From Dh801,800
BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000