Philippine Airlines is ramping up its service on the Manila to Melbourne route for the upcoming 2025/26 holiday season to meet growing traveler demand. From December 17, 2025, through January 19, 2026, the airline will increase its weekly flights from five to seven, except during the peak period between December 26, 2025, and January 3, 2026, when the regular schedule applies.

The enhanced schedule features daily flights, offering passengers greater flexibility and convenience for their holiday travel plans. Operating on the reliable Airbus A330-300 aircraft, the route maintains high standards of comfort and service.

Flight details include:

• PR209 departing Manila at 5:00 PM, arriving Melbourne at 4:10 AM the next day (aircraft configuration 3-3-3 with 246 seats).
• A second PR209 flight leaves Manila at 9:25 PM, landing in Melbourne at 8:35 AM the following day (246 seats).

Return flights from Melbourne:

• PR210 departs at 5:55 AM, arriving Manila at 11:20 AM (3-3-3 layout with 357 seats).
• The second PR210 flight takes off at 10:20 AM, reaching Manila by 3:35 PM (357 seats).

This seasonal increase underscores Philippine Airlines’ commitment to enhancing connectivity between the Philippines and Australia, supporting both leisure and business travelers during the busy holiday period.

September 3, 2025 – Football fans around the globe can now start planning their journey to the world’s biggest sporting spectacle. FIFA has officially announced that exclusive travel packages for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, are now on sale.

The packages, designed to make the tournament experience seamless, include round-trip flights, premium accommodation options ranging from luxury hotels to high-end business stays, ground transportation, and guaranteed match tickets in Category 1 or Category 2 seating.

This early offering allows supporters to secure their seats well in advance, avoiding the uncertainty of the regular ticketing process. Organizers say this initiative is aimed at giving fans peace of mind while ensuring an unforgettable travel and match-day experience.

FIFA notes that Privilege Club members will also enjoy added perks, including earning Avios points on every package purchased. With the tournament expected to attract millions of visitors across three host nations, securing a travel package early could be the key to avoiding soaring prices and limited availability as the event draws nearer.

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the largest in history, featuring 48 teams and an expanded format that promises more matches, more destinations, and more global excitement than ever before. Cities including New York/New Jersey, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Mexico City are preparing to host matches in some of the world’s most iconic stadiums.

FIFA and its partners emphasize that availability is limited and demand is expected to surge rapidly. Fans are encouraged to review all terms and conditions before booking.

With less than a year to go, the countdown has started—and for many supporters, these packages could be the golden ticket to football’s ultimate festival.

UAE’s low-cost carrier Air Arabia has launched a special promotion, offering one-way fares starting from as low as Dh149, just in time for the upcoming long weekend.

The discounted tickets cover a wide range of destinations, including Muscat, Salalah, Dammam, Riyadh, and Kuwait across the GCC, as well as popular routes to India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. The offer is valid for travel between September 15 and November 30, 2025, giving budget-conscious passengers ample flexibility for short getaways or longer trips.

To secure these low fares, passengers must book their tickets between August 28 and September 5, 2025. Air Arabia has urged travellers to act quickly, as the special fares are available only for a limited time and subject to seat availability.

This promotion comes as a boost for residents planning last-minute travel during the holiday break, further cementing Air Arabia’s reputation for offering affordable travel options in the region.

Oman’s low-cost airline SalamAir has launched a series of major fare discounts this August, giving customers the chance to fly to domestic and international destinations at the most affordable prices in recent memory.

Breaking Fares Campaign

SalamAir’s latest “Breaking Fares” campaign runs from August 24 to August 28, 2025, with fares starting at just OMR 19.99 (about Dh191). This limited-time offer allows travelers to book flights for journeys between October 1 and November 30, 2025, across SalamAir’s regional and international network.

Destinations include major cities like Dubai, Doha, Kuwait, Alexandria, Dammam, and several in South Asia such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Jaipur, Islamabad, Karachi, and Sialkot.

Domestic Discounts for Cardholders

In addition to international deals, SalamAir is offering exclusive domestic flight discounts in partnership with Sohar International and Sohar Islamic banks. Customers booking from June 21 to August 10, 2025, for travel within Oman between July 1 and August 31, receive 15% off for debit card holders and 40% off for credit card holders (Gold, Platinum, Signature, Infinite)

The domestic deal covers routes between Muscat and locations like Salalah, Duqm, Masirah, and Sohar, and requires a promotional code from the issuing bank.

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Terms and Availability

All discounts are available exclusively through SalamAir’s website or authorized sales channels. Seats are limited, so early booking is highly encouraged. Add-on options like seat selection and additional baggage remain available, allowing passengers to customize their travel.

Industry Impact

Marketing head Khadija Al Kindi highlights the initiative as part of SalamAir’s goal to make travel accessible despite rising global airfares. The campaign also coincides with the airline’s fleet expansion, positioning SalamAir as a key driver of affordable air travel in Oman and the wider region.

Travelers in Oman are now presented with a unique window to explore more for less, whether for business, leisure, or student travel.

In a festive gesture to celebrate India's Independence Day, Etihad Airways, the UAE’s national carrier, has launched an exclusive discount campaign for passengers booking from India. Operating from its hub at Zayed International Airport, Etihad is offering a generous 30 percent discount on Economy class tickets to a wide array of popular destinations across Europe and the United States.

Travellers booking now can secure flights at significantly reduced rates to iconic cities such as Chicago (Dh3,273), Toronto (Dh3,599), Washington DC (Dh3,149), Barcelona (Dh2,036), and Dublin (Dh2,149). The offer also extends to flights headed to Brussels, Prague, Warsaw, Sochi, New York, Rome, Atlanta, Madrid, Boston, Paris, Munich, and Frankfurt, making it easier than ever for Indian passengers to explore these global hubs.

The special fares are available for booking up until August 15, with a travel window stretching from September 2025 through March 2026. This promotion follows on the heels of Etihad’s recent start-of-summer campaign, which included discounts of up to 25% on both business and economy class tickets.
As the 2025 summer travel season approaches its end, airlines based in the UAE, neighboring regions, and India have launched a series of competitive fare offers, heating up the market for travelers seeking value deals.

In other exciting news, Etihad recently inaugurated commercial operations of its new Airbus A321LR, with Flight EY414 marking the first journey from Zayed International Airport to the beautiful island destination of Phuket. The addition of the A321LR to its fleet underscores Etihad’s commitment to delivering premium cabin experiences on short and medium-haul flights, mirroring the attention to detail and service excellence featured on its acclaimed widebody aircraft.

With these strategic offers and fleet enhancements, Etihad Airways continues to strengthen its position as a preferred carrier for Indian travelers seeking quality and affordability on international flights.

In celebration of India’s 79th Independence Day, Air India Express has unveiled an exciting “Freedom Sale,” offering attractive discounted airfares for both domestic and international travelers. Starting as low as Rs 1,279 (Dh 53.50) for domestic routes and Rs 4,279 (Dh 179) for international flights, this special promotion aims to make travel more accessible for millions.

The budget airline is putting five million seats on sale, covering a wide network that includes key UAE destinations such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, connecting them seamlessly to cities across India. This initiative is perfectly timed for the over 3.7 million Indian expatriates residing in the UAE, as well as tourists traveling between the UAE and India.

With an impressive fleet of 116 aircraft, Air India Express operates over 500 flights daily and offers service to 38 domestic and 17 international destinations, strengthening its position as a preferred carrier in the region.
The exclusive sale opened on the airline’s website and app on August 10 and will remain available through all major booking channels until August 15, 2025.

Travelers can plan their trips between August 19, 2025, and March 31, 2026—covering major festive seasons such as Onam, Durga Puja, Deepawali, and Christmas.

The airline’s “Xpress Value” fare class, which includes a standard check-in baggage allowance, is priced from Rs 1,379 for domestic and Rs 4,479 for international flights. Special concessions are also being extended to students, senior citizens, armed forces personnel, and their dependents.

This “Freedom Sale” presents an ideal opportunity for travelers looking to explore India and beyond while enjoying substantial savings.