Gadling http://www.gadling.com Gadling http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/%SiteURL%/media/feedlogo.gif Gadling http://www.gadling.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Bahrain plans major airport expansion]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/05/bahrain-plans-major-airport-expansion/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/05/bahrain-plans-major-airport-expansion/http://www.gadling.com/2011/07/05/bahrain-plans-major-airport-expansion/#commentsFiled under: ,

bahrainBahrain International Airport (BIA) will begin a new expansion program that is expected to increase the airport's capacity by 50 percent.

"The plans we are initiating for an expanded international airport are essential to Bahrain's continued development, not only in providing businesses in Bahrain with the access they demand for the future, but also in bolstering the growing aviation and logistics industry in the kingdom," said Khalid Al Rumaihi, Chairman of the Bahrain Airport Company.

The entire expansion program is expected to take four years and add 40,000 square meters, five new gates and forty check-in counters, boosting the airport capacity from 9 million to 13.5 million passengers, reported Arabian Business News. This project - which will help drive business investment and infrastructure development - follows recent investment in housing, water and education following the lifting of the State of National Safety by His Majesty King Hamad.

Seeing international airports expand is always a positive sign for travelers, as it means increased flight numbers and lower prices.

Welcome to Bahrain[Flickr via Jacobs Creative Bees]

Bahrain plans major airport expansion originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 05 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airportbahrainTue, 05 Jul 2011 11:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Reflections on Revolution - A photographer's travels through the Arab tumult]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/12/reflections-on-revolution-a-photographers-travels-arab-tumult/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/12/reflections-on-revolution-a-photographers-travels-arab-tumult/http://www.gadling.com/2011/04/12/reflections-on-revolution-a-photographers-travels-arab-tumult/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,


"May you live in interesting times" is a proverb with an unattributed origin. Most speculate the phrase came from China, some assume its origins to be of 20th century English design, but all agree that the phrase is a curse. We no doubt live in "interesting" times. 2011 has already brought revolution, quakes, tsunamis, government shutdowns, and an escaped cobra. Interesting is not always a good thing, but it can be.

With this video, photographer John Moore provides a glimpse into the hectic travel schedule of a front-line photojournalist during the Arab revolution of 2011. His photographs and stories from the Middle-east will leave an impression on you, and this video is interesting in a good way. From Egypt to Bahrain to Libya, the video showcases the revolution from one photographer's view behind the lens.

Continue reading Reflections on Revolution - A photographer's travels through the Arab tumult

Reflections on Revolution - A photographer's travels through the Arab tumult originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 12 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Arab RevolutionArabRevolutionbahrainegyptJohn MooreJohnMoorelibyamiddle eastMiddleEastTue, 12 Apr 2011 09:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Travel industry battered by world crises says CNN]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/27/travel-industry-battered-by-world-crisis-says-cnn/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/27/travel-industry-battered-by-world-crisis-says-cnn/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/27/travel-industry-battered-by-world-crisis-says-cnn/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , ,

CNN reports that the travel industry is suffering due to recent world events. A recent report from CNN says that the spate of world crises that have occurred in the first three months of the year has hit the travel industry especially hard. Natural disasters and political unrest have left many travelers rethinking their plans or cancelling trips altogether as they scramble to avoid a host of issues across the globe.

The earthquake and tsunami in Japan, coupled with fears of radiation and a potential nuclear meltdown in power plants there, has significantly reduced demand for travel to that country. It has gotten so bad that Delta Airlines has announced that they are cutting capacity to Tokyo's Narita International Airport by as much as 20% through May, and suspending flights to another regional airport altogether.

Similarly, travel to Northern Africa and the Middle East has also dropped significantly as political upheaval has spread across that region. It hasn't just been the airlines that have felt the pinch however, as disruption in travel to Bahrain, Tunisia, and most importantly Egypt, has put a dent in the cruise industry too. According to Carnival Cruise Lines more than 280 of their cruises have seen a change in their itineraries thanks to issues in the Middle East. They estimate a loss of $44 million so far, and the region hasn't stabilized just yet.

The Middle East unrest has brought another unwelcome side effect to the travel industry as well. Any threat to the distribution of oil means an increase in prices, which is always passed on to the consumer. Soaring oil prices has led to an increase in the cost of airfares, and the dreaded term "fuel surcharge" has reared its ugly head once again too. With the busy summer travel season still ahead, it seems unlikely that oil prices will be coming down again anytime soon.

2011 is certainly off to a turbulent start. If the first few months are any indication, we could be in for one very memorable, but chaotic, year. Has any of the recent global calamities caused you to change your plans? Are you now going elsewhere because of recent events? Worse yet, have you canceled your plans to travel this year altogether?

Travel industry battered by world crises says CNN originally appeared on Gadling on Sun, 27 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>airlinesAirlineSectorCarnival Cruise LinesCarnivalCruiseLinescnncruise linesCruiseLinescruiseseconomyjapan earthquakejapan tsunamiJapanEarthquakeJapanTsunamimiddle east protestsMiddle East UnrestMiddleEastProtestsMiddleEastUnrestoiloil pricesOilPricestraveltravel industry cnnTravelIndustryCnnTravelingSun, 27 Mar 2011 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[What are the top five cities for business travel?]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/21/what-are-the-top-five-cities-for-business-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/21/what-are-the-top-five-cities-for-business-travel/http://www.gadling.com/2011/03/21/what-are-the-top-five-cities-for-business-travel/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

London for businessSome cities are better for doing business than others, it seems. Of course, business travelers (well, professionals in general) all have their preferences. Having done my time in Omaha, Winnipeg and London (Ontario), I can tell you that some places are better than others. So, I was pretty excited to see think tank Z/Yen put out its Global Financial Centres Index (PDF), which shows the top five cities in the world in which to do business.

There aren't many suprises at the top end of the list, which comes out twice a year. The rankings are determined using "five key areas of competitiveness," according to Inside Investor Relations: people, business, environment, market access, infrastructure and general competitiveness."

So, what are the top five?

Gallery: Abbey Road and the Beatles' Crosswalk

Welcome to Abbey Road!Always a CrowdA Rare SightAbbey Road Recording StudioOncoming Traffic Is Common

Continue reading What are the top five cities for business travel?

What are the top five cities for business travel? originally appeared on Gadling on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>business travelBusinessTraveldubaienglandHong KongHongKonglondonnew yorknew york cityNewYorkNewYorkCityRiyadhShanghaisingaporeMon, 21 Mar 2011 14:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Bahrain unrest forces Formula 1 opening race cancellation]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/22/bahrain-unrest-forces-formula-1-opening-race-cancellation/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/22/bahrain-unrest-forces-formula-1-opening-race-cancellation/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/22/bahrain-unrest-forces-formula-1-opening-race-cancellation/#commentsFiled under:

formula 1 Bahrain

Yesterday, HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalif of the Kingdom of Bahrain made the decision to cancel the opening race of the 2011 Formula 1 championship. The current unrest in the Kingdom made it impossible to ensure the safety of the thousands of visitors, and the country is still recovering from a week of turmoil.

HRH Prince Salman issued the following statement:
"After the events of the past week, our nation's priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united."
Because of this, the 2011 season won't start till the Qantas Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 25th through the 27th. As of right now, the Bahrain race has not been rescheduled.

[Photo: John Moore/Getty Images]

Bahrain unrest forces Formula 1 opening race cancellation originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>F1formula 1Formula1Tue, 22 Feb 2011 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bahrain Protests: What you need to know (including where it is on a map)]]>http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/bahrain-protests-what-you-need-to-know-including-where-it-is-o/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/bahrain-protests-what-you-need-to-know-including-where-it-is-o/http://www.gadling.com/2011/02/16/bahrain-protests-what-you-need-to-know-including-where-it-is-o/#commentsFiled under: ,

bahrain protests

The small country of Bahrain is now well into its third day of protests. Following the fall of Mubarak in Egypt, countries like Bahrain, Yemen and Libya have attempted to create a "Tahir Square movement" to create change in their own country.

The country, like Egypt, is protesting the lack of political freedom and economic opportunity. Protests have generally been peacful until police forces killed two protesters yesterday and attempted to subdue crowds by use of rubber bullets and tear gasses.

Bahrain protesters are calling for a new constitution as well as the release of hundreds of Shia men and boys who have been rounded up since August 2010 and an end to civil rights abuses.

The king went on state television promising to investigate the deaths of the two protesters and offering to set up a committee to discuss change, BBC reported.

Like in Tunisia and Egypt, social media is playing a key organizing role (see this great list of people to follow).

Where's Bahrain, you ask? The small island country has Saudi Arabia to the west and Qatar to the southeast.

Bahrain Protests: What you need to know (including where it is on a map) originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 16 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bahrainbahrain protestsBahrainProtestsmiddle eastMiddleEastprotestsqatarsaudi arabiaSaudiArabiaWed, 16 Feb 2011 12:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Flight attendants find dead Filipino passenger in Gulf Air lavatory]]>http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/20/flight-attendants-finds-dead-filipino-passenger-in-gulf-air-lava/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/20/flight-attendants-finds-dead-filipino-passenger-in-gulf-air-lava/http://www.gadling.com/2010/10/20/flight-attendants-finds-dead-filipino-passenger-in-gulf-air-lava/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

The cause of death - including suicide - still isn't clear, but the facts are. Gulf Air flight attendants found a 36-year-old Filipino passenger dead in the plane lav today; he was flying home to Manila from Bahrain. Attempts to revive him using CPR were unsuccessful.

The event occurred on Gulf Air flight 154, and is the second strange lav event in as many months. In September, according to the Associated Press, an abandoned baby was found in the trash bin after a Filipino maid gave birth in the lav. This time, however, the outcome was life, as airport doctors were able to save the child.

The passenger's wife and relatives had traveled to the airport to meet him.

[photo by advencap via Flickr]

Flight attendants find dead Filipino passenger in Gulf Air lavatory originally appeared on Gadling on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deathflight attendantflight attendantsFlightAttendantFlightAttendantsgulf airGulfAirmanilapassengerpassengersSuicideWed, 20 Oct 2010 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[United Airlines adds flights to Africa, the Middle East and Europe]]>http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/united-airlines-adds-flights-to-africa-the-middle-east-and-euro/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/united-airlines-adds-flights-to-africa-the-middle-east-and-euro/http://www.gadling.com/2009/11/10/united-airlines-adds-flights-to-africa-the-middle-east-and-euro/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , ,

Starting May 2, 2010, United Airlines fans can fly the carrier from the US to Africa for the first time in the company's history. United will offer flights from DC to Accra, Ghana (and then on to Lagos, Nigeria). Beginning April 18, 2010, passengers flying from DC to Kuwait can also continue on to Bahrain.

Chicago to Brussels nonstop on March 28, 2010. The carrier also added several other new routes this year, including DC to Moscow, and DC to Geneva.

"Our first-ever non-stop service to Africa will offer customers convenient and comfortable travel opportunities to visit two of the fastest-growing cities in the continent," United's senior VP of planning said in a press release. "In addition, our new services to Bahrain and Brussels will open more international routes to our customers throughout Europe and the Middle East."

United Airlines adds flights to Africa, the Middle East and Europe originally appeared on Gadling on Tue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>accra ghanaAccraGhanaairlineairlinesbahrainchicagodullesGhanakuwaitLagosroutesunionUnited AirlinesUnitedAirlineswashington dcWashingtonDcTue, 10 Nov 2009 14:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Take Off in the Mid East]]>http://www.gadling.com/2006/08/10/take-off-in-the-mid-east/http://www.gadling.com/2006/08/10/take-off-in-the-mid-east/http://www.gadling.com/2006/08/10/take-off-in-the-mid-east/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Though it might not be your first desired destination these days, there is still a lot to be said about heading to the Middle East. And this report at the Online Travel Review points out that the first privately owned airline in the region, Jazeera Airways, which began flying last year from Kuwait City, will allow passengers to fly between numerous Mid east cities including Dubai, Damascus, Amman and Bahrain. For more info: Jazeera Airways Cleared for Takeoff and Kuwait's Private Air Jazeera to Fly.

Take Off in the Mid East originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 10 Aug 2006 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 10 Aug 2006 09:34:00 EST<![CDATA[Kuwait's Budget Airline]]>http://www.gadling.com/2005/09/22/kuwaits-budget-airline/http://www.gadling.com/2005/09/22/kuwaits-budget-airline/http://www.gadling.com/2005/09/22/kuwaits-budget-airline/#commentsFiled under: , ,

jazeeraNot all the airlines are reorganizing and consolidating. Here's a brand spanking new one, and a first for the Middle East - the Online Travel Review reports that the first privately owned airline in the region, Jazeera Airways, will begin flying on November 16 from Kuwait City. Passengers will be able to book online for flights to Dubai, Lebanon, Damascus, Amman and Bahrain. There are plans to expand to India, Egypt and South East Asia in the future, eventually managing approximately 75 flights per week at below market prices. You can read more here:

Jazeera Airways Cleared for Takeoff
Kuwait's Private Air Jazeera to Fly

Kuwait's Budget Airline originally appeared on Gadling on Thu, 22 Sep 2005 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Thu, 22 Sep 2005 08:59:00 EST