Travel news: Emirates summer deals, bigger planes on Etihad routes and Air Arabia flies to Malaysia

Here are the regional routes and seasonal offers you need to know about this month, from new flights between Sharjah and Vienna to budget fares between Abu Dhabi and Mumbai

Air Arabia posted a 75% rise in second-quarter profit as it carried more passengers and yields improved. Courtesy Air Arabia
Powered by automated translation

Summer might be a quieter time in the UAE but there's still plenty going on in the world of aviation. Here's everything you need to know this month...

Air Arabia heads east and west

From September, you'll be able to fly to Austria's capital with Air Arabia. The low-cost carrier will begin four weekly flights from Sharjah to Vienna from September 15, offering up a new option if you're craving a cultural break in the city of music. From December, the service will increase to daily flights.

Air Arabia has also commenced a new service from Sharjah to Malaysia. The airline inaugurated its first seven-hour direct flight between Kuala Lumpur and the emirate on July 9, marking the start of a daily service between the two cities.

Emirates offer summer hotel discounts

Hotel occupancy rates in Dubai have declined, but experts cite a rise in hotel openings as key to the percentage drop    
Hotel occupancy rates in Dubai have declined, but experts cite a rise in hotel openings as key to the percentage drop    

Flying to or through Dubai with Emirates this summer? The Dubai airline has teamed up with some of the city’s most luxurious hotels to offer passengers exclusive discounted stays at various hotels and resorts across the emirate.

Properties include Armani Hotel Dubai, Address Dubai Mall, Sofitel Dubai The Palm and the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, and travellers can save up to 35 per cent on the best available rates. More details can be found online and passengers must present a copy of their Emirates flight ticket or boarding pass when checking in to their preferred hotel.

Etihad boosts seat numbers on flights to Asia

Etihad will fly the super jumbo A380 to Seoul. Courtesy Etihad Airways
Etihad will fly the super jumbo A380 to Seoul. Courtesy Etihad Airways

If you're looking to travel from Abu Dhabi to China's Shanghai or Chengdu with Etihad, then you'll be happy to hear that you'll be flying on an upgraded aircraft. Flights to both destinations will now be operated on a next-generation Dreamliner.

Not too far away in South Korea, Seoul will see its Etihad service boosted from a Dreamliner to an Airbus A380 super jumbo, meaning a lot more availability thanks to the 494-seater plane.

Cheap seats to Mumbai from Abu Dhabi through Go Air

Go Air has introduced new budget flight options between Mumbai and Abu Dhabi, opening up more reduced-fare tickets for passengers heading to the subcontinent. Starting on July 19, the low-cost carrier will fly a daily service into the UAE capital with fares from as little as Dh887.

Summer in Oman with Salam Air

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Salam Air is adding new flights from Abu Dhabi to Salalah just in time for Khareef season. Courtesy flickr / marypaulose

Planning a trip to Salalah from Abu Dhabi but not keen on a long drive? There are now more options for getting there by air. Omani airline Salam Air has commenced flights from the capital to Oman’s south-coast gem, perfect for those looking to check out the khareef season in Salalah. There will be three flights per week from now until September 7.

More flights from India with Spice Jet

SpiceJet plans to base five aircraft in the UAE to carry passengers onto Europe. Courtesy flickr / Ashok Prabhakaran

Low-cost Indian airline Spice Jet is adding five more international routes to its roster this summer. From Delhi, passengers will be able to book on a daily service to either Dhaka or Jeddah, with both routes starting on July 31.

From Mumbai, a daily service to Dhaka will start on July 25 and passengers headed to Hong Kong can hop on a new daily service from July 31. And if you’re looking to fly from the 'gateway of India' to Riyadh, a daily service with Spice Jet will come into effect from August 15.

Gulf Air grows its Delhi service

Gulf Air is adding more flights to India. Courtesy Gulf Air
Gulf Air is adding more flights to India. Courtesy Gulf Air

Gulf Air is also expanding services in India. The Bahrain airline is upping its services between the Gulf island and Delhi. The national carrier is introducing a third daily service on its Airbus A320, with the new flight departing at 8.05pm and returning from Mumbai at 3.50am.

_________________

Read more:

Air Canada passenger wakes up in dark, empty plane after falling asleep mid-flight

Emirates wins best international airline, and Etihad is top for luxury - Fodor's awards

Five family-friendly airports where long layovers will fly by

_________________