Bahrain Air plans new flights to Saudi

Bahrain Air’s used its presence at BITE 2008 to announce new flights to Saudi Arabia starting next month.

Ibrahim Al Hamer, Bahrain Air managing director, said: “I would like to announce that we are launching our 10th destination which is Jeddah, the flights will commence on June 11 with four weekly flights, and after long market research we finalised a schedule that passengers will find very convenient - both business travelers and regular passengers.

“Twice weekly we will be having morning flights that will take off at 11am and twice weekly, flights will take off from Bahrain International Airport at 11pm. 

Currently Bahrain Air operates services to two GCC destinations, Dubai and Doha. It also flies to Amman, Damascus and Beirut in the Middle East and operates a service to Mashad in Iran. Bahrain Air’s first North African service started with Alexandria in March.

Bahrain Air has already announced its inaugural service to the Indian subcontinent with its first flight to Kochi taking off on May 26 and its second destination in Syria, Aleppo will commence in June. By the end of this year Bahrain Air will also fly to Kuwait in the GCC, in the Middle East and Dhaka and Kathmandu in the Indian sub-continent.

Singapore attracts Formula One fans

Singapore is looking to attract an increasing number of Bahraini travellers as it introduces a host of major events and attractions over the coming year which will form an integral part of its unique transformation strategy.

The Garden City showcased unique and exciting activities that visitors can experience while in Singapore at BITE.

The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is laying the foundation for tourism growth with new events and attractions, including the Singapore Flyer, the world’s largest observation wheel and 2008 Formula One SingTel Singapore Grand Prix, the world’s first-ever F1 night race and Asia’s first street circuit.

“We used our presence at BITE to raise awareness of the extensive range of attractions, entertainment and leisure options available in the ‘Transformed Singapore’, as part of our ongoing plans to reach out to people in this region,” said Jason Ong, area director, Middle East and Africa, Singapore Tourism Board.

Airline increases Bahrain frequencies

Qatar Airways has announced an increase in capacity on the Doha–Bahrain route with the addition of five flights a week, beginning in June.

 The new early evening departures from Bahrain offer excellent connections via the airline’s operational hub of Doha to a host of cities across its global network covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, Far East, Indian sub-continent and North America.

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said the extra capacity would be a great boost for travellers. “The addition of five new flights each week increases capacity between the two Gulf capitals from 42 to 47 flights a week ,” he said.

New website aims to promote nation

A FORMER Bahrain resident, currently living and working in London, has launched a project to place the country on the global tourism and economic map. Rahul Arora, associate director of VisitBahrain.org, will launch the new portal in Bahrain next month.

He discussed the main features of the project at BITE 2008 with Information Ministry’s Tourism Marketing  and Promotion Project chief executive  Mohammed Nass and  senior tourism relations specialist Samia Al Jowdar.

“I have designed this project because of my love for Bahrain, where I was born,” Mr Arora said.