Travel Unpacked: Etihad resumes flights to Lebanon and world-famous Icehotel reopens in Lapland

The National rounds up the most interesting tourism news you may have missed

Many international carriers suspended services to Beirut following the recent Israeli attacks. Reuters

It's been a busy few days in the world of aviation as Etihad Airways announced it is to resume flights to Beirut on Wednesday. The national airline of the UAE also launched services between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi while Saudi Arabia's low-cost carrier Flynas is now flying to Cairo's Sphinx International Airport.

Meanwhile, in Swedish Lapland, the world's first ice hotel has reopened for its pop-up winter season with suites featuring floral ice blooms and ice-carved chandeliers.

Here's a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.

Etihad resumes non-stop flights to Lebanon from Abu Dhabi

Etihad Airways is resuming flights to Lebanon on Wednesday. Photo: Etihad Airways

The national airline of the UAE will resume non-stop daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport on Wednesday.

"The airline is closely monitoring the situation and remains in constant communication with relevant authorities and security intelligence providers,” a representative told The National. “The safety of our guests and crew is our number one priority, and we would not operate a flight unless it was safe to do so."

The move comes after Air Arabia also announced it will resume flights to Beirut on Wednesday. The low-cost airline will fly non-stop from Sharjah to Lebanon with the first service scheduled to depart the UAE at 8am.

From Dubai, flights to Lebanon remain suspended. “We are monitoring the situation closely and currently reviewing the status of our operations to Lebanon,” a representative for flydubai told The National.

According to the latest information from Emirates, flights to and from Lebanon remain cancelled up to and including December 31. Travellers booked to fly with Emirates who have Beirut as a final destination are not being accepted on flights at any point of origin.

Several airlines cancelled flights to Beirut in September following rising tensions in the region.

Icehotel reopens with flowers and crystal chandeliers

The original Icehotel has reopened its winter suites. Photo: Tjasa Gusfors and Sam Gusfors / Asaf Kliger

The world’s first ice hotel has reopened in Swedish Lapland. Combining the work of 26 artists and 500 tonnes of ice from the River Torne, Icehotel 35 is open for winter. Located 200km north of the Arctic Circle in Jukkasjarvi, Sweden, the hotel is inviting travellers to check in and sleep in frozen beds on top of reindeer hides, in suites where temperatures dip well below freezing.

While part of the hotel is open year-round, thanks to a solar-powered refrigeration plant, an annual reveal takes place each December when the pop-up winter hotel comes alive in its annual frosty incarnation.

This year, rooms and suites have been designed by artists from 13 different countries and feature lotus flowers, zigzags, mountain-filled landscapes and giant rhinoceros, all of which have been crafted from snow and ice. The Ceremony Hall – used for events and celebrations – has been recreated in icy florals in a design by artists Lisa Lindqvist and Kate Munro while the Great Hall features chandeliers made from 220 handcrafted ice crystals.

“This year, the artists have truly surpassed themselves – our art suites are playful, stunning, surprising and deeply moving,” said Marie Herrey, chief executive at Icehotel.

Saudi airline Flynas launches flights to Cairo

Sphinx International Airport is designed to give tourists easier access to some of Cairo's most famous historical sights. EPA

Saudi Arabia’s largest low-cost airline now offers non-stop flights between Madinah and Cairo’s second airport. Flynas recently inaugurated its first flight between Prince Mohammed bin Abdulaziz International Airport and Sphinx International Airport. The service marked the start of three weekly flights connecting the cities.

The airline will operate the flights via A320 jets with services scheduled on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Travellers can expect a journey time of around two and a half hours.

Inaugurated in 2022, Sphinx Airport is in Giza, 45km from the Great Pyramids. The airport was designed to give travellers easier access to some of Cairo’s most famous historical sites and relieve pressure on the city's main airport.

Flynas operates at both of Cairo’s airports with flights from Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah to Cairo International. The airline also operates to Egypt from Dammam and AlUla and to several destinations across Egypt including Sohag, Sharm El Sheikh, Hurghada and El Alamein. The Saudi airline has more expansion plans in the works, with new flights between Riyadh and Uganda due to take to the skies next month.

Etihad Airways launches direct flights between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi

Kenya is on track to record three million visitors this year. Retuers

Etihad Airways has added Nairobi as its newest destination, having inaugurated flights to the Kenyan capital on Sunday. The sold-out A320 flight departed Zayed International Airport just after 9am and arrived at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport five and a half hours later.

“The introduction of our Nairobi service enhances our growing network while responding to strong travel demand between the UAE and Kenya, as demonstrated by today's completely full inaugural flight,” said Arik De, chief revenue and commercial officer at Etihad Airways.

Kenya is on track to record three million visitors this year, and has its sights set on reaching a target of five million visitors in the coming years. The country is famed for its natural wildlife and safari opportunities.

“As both Abu Dhabi and Kenya experience remarkable tourism growth and set ambitious targets for the future, this route creates valuable opportunities for both destinations," De added. "The service strengthens the important ties between our regions, supporting Abu Dhabi's position as a global aviation hub while providing enhanced access to Kenya's thriving tourism market."

Flights between the UAE and Kenyan capitals will operate four days per week, departing Abu Dhabi on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

Last month, the airline announced 10 new cities will be added to its network next year, including Atlanta, Hanoi, Hong Kong and Tunisia.