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Emirates and Flydubai Reactivate Partnership for Seamless Travel

Emirates and flydubai have announced that customers of both airlines can once again access a wider range of travel options around the world, connecting seamlessly and safely through Dubai.

Following the progressive resumption of passenger flights to global destinations, the two Dubai-based airlines have revived their successful and strategic partnership to offer customers increased connectivity, convenience and travel flexibility. Emirates customers can now travel on codeshare flights to over 30 destinations on flydubai, while flydubai customers have over 70 destinations they can travel to on Emirates. Some of the favourite flydubai destinations for Emirates passengers include: Belgrade, Bucharest, Kyiv, Sofia and Zanzibar.

Commenting on the renewal of the partnership, Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Chief Commercial Officer said: “We are delighted to announce that our customers can once again take advantage of the complementary strengths of Emirates and flydubai to access an enhanced network of cities on a single ticket and integrated loyalty programme, enjoy a safe, smooth and stress-free transfer experience through Dubai and have their baggage checked through to their final destination.

Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai said: “We are confident that the demand for travel will continue to increase as more countries gradually start to lift restrictions on international travel. flydubai has restarted operations to 32 points around the network since June and we expect the number to steadily grow over the next few months. Dubai has put strong health and safety protocols in place which has encouraged well informed passengers to travel, whether for business, leisure or to reunite with their loved ones.

Emirates and flydubai will offer travel experiences reflecting their individual brands while keeping the health and safety of customers and employees on the ground and in air as their top priority. The two airlines have each implemented extensive safety measures to combat COVID-19 at every step of the customer’s journey including enhanced sanitisation of all touchpoints and advanced HEPA filters fitted in aircraft cabins to eliminate dust, allergens and germs from the cabin air.

Customers transiting through Dubai go through thermal screening at the airport. Transfer desks at Dubai airport have been fitted with protective anti-microbial screens and airport staff dressed in personal protective equipment (PPE) are available to provide additional assistance. Several of flydubai’s flights to destinations in Africa, Central Asia and Europe operate from Terminal 3 of Dubai International Airport, facilitating seamless connections to passengers travelling on Emirates’ flights to and from Dubai.

Bulgaria Sees F-16 Jet Deal With U.S. at $1.2 Billion

  • Defence Minister says $1.2 bln is a reasonable price
  • Final talks to start once Bulgaria gets draft contract
  • Cost will be based on final Bulgarian requirements-U.S. Embassy (Adds defence minister comment, U.S. embassy to Sofia)

SOFIA, June 4 (Reuters) – NATO member Bulgaria expects the United States to offer to sell it eight new F-16 fighter jets for its air force at a discounted price of $1.2 billion, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

The U.S. State Department approved the possible sale of eight F-16 aircraft and related equipment at an estimated cost of $1.67 billion, a Pentagon agency said on Monday.

Bulgaria, which is also a member of the European Union, is looking to replace its ageing Soviet-made MiG-29s and improve compliance with NATO standards.

A deal for Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Block 70 would be the Balkan country’s biggest military procurement since the fall of Communist rule some 30 years ago.

The defence ministry said the U.S. approval outlined the upper threshold of the cost and it expected a draft contract from Washington within two weeks.

“There is a two-week timeline in which the U.S. government will present to Bulgaria a draft Letter of Offer and Acceptance in which the expected price for the eight jets with a package of necessary related equipment will be within $1.2 billion,” the ministry said in a statement.

The expected price comes above the initial estimate for the deal at 1.8 billion levs ($1 billion) but the Bulgarian parliament has given the defence ministry a green light to go over that.

Defence Minister Krasimir Karakachanov said that the deviation from the initial budget should not be big.

“About 2 billion levs ($1.2 billion) is the upper threshold of a reasonable price,” he told reporters.

The U.S. Embassy in Sofia said that the Departments of State and Defense allow for a margin in all notifications to the U.S. Congress and that the actual cost will be based on Bulgaria’s final requirements.

Final talks on the deal will start once Sofia receives the draft contract. The cost’s reduction would most likely be achieved by scaling down some of the related equipment, local analysts say.

“At that stage…the Bulgarian government may re-scope and re-define the requirements before arriving at the ultimate cost,” the embassy said in a statement. ($1 = 1.7397 leva)

(Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova Editing by Keith Weir)

Hotel Sofia Barcelona Joins The Unbound Collection

CHICAGO (December 12, 2018) Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE:H) announced today Hotel SOFIA Barcelona is joining The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, becoming the first Hyatt hotel in Barcelona and third property in Spain. The 465-room hotel is located on the Avenida Diagonal, one of Barcelona’s main avenues in the heart of the city.

Originally named after Princess Sofia, wife to the former King of Spain Juan Carlos I, Hotel SOFIA Barcelona has been known to host many dignitaries and heads of state. With the hotel’s rich history paired with its contemporary and luxurious design, Hotel SOFIA Barcelona perfectly meets the brand’s promise of creating story-worthy and unforgettable experiences.

“We are thrilled to welcome guests to the first Hyatt hotel in Barcelona,” said Felipe Espinoza, general manager of the hotel. “Hotel SOFIA Barcelona has long been a symbol of glamour and luxury in the area. Its rich history and stunning architecture will deliver an unforgettable stay for the modern traveler.”

The hotel is home to luxurious suites, five distinct dining options and a live dinner experience where actors, dancers and singers perform nightly. For relaxation, guests can enjoy several leisure facilities including an elegant Mediterranean-inspired spa, the SOFIA Oasis Wellness & Spa, and a tropical garden pool.

Guestrooms

The hotel’s 465 sophisticated and completely renovated rooms are designed for those looking for a space they can call their own, tastefully designed and all with access to SOFIA Oasis Wellness & Spa. There are 18 luxurious suites guests can choose from including So Suite, which offers a large, open space featuring a living room, in addition to a spectacular bathroom with a bathtub and modern touches. All suites feature impressive views of Barcelona and access to the privileged “As You Wish” services, which include amenities such as a 24-hour butler, welcome gifts, access to the Wish Lounge serving daily cocktails and delicacies, and other personalized offerings.

Dining and Drinking

The hotel boasts five distinct gastronomic spaces with unique personalities, all of which have been carefully designed by interior designer Jaime Beriestain. IMPAR delivers Mediterranean fusion cuisine, while Sofia Be So is a more intimate luxury restaurant serving traditional local dishes with premium ingredients. For coffee or cocktails, the Sofia Bar offers the perfect spot to rendezvous. And, for a sweet treat, Philosofia is the hotel’s own bakery, where everything is made fresh daily. The hotel also has its own live dining experience, Zuu, where guests can enjoy evening entertainment.

Wellness

Hotel SOFIA Barcelona serves as a luxury oasis, with an abundance of wellness offerings. Guests have the option to relax, be pampered, and stay fit within the elegant Mediterranean-inspired spa, the SOFIA Oasis Wellness & Spa, a tropical garden pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

Meetings and Events

Hotel SOFIA Barcelona features one of the largest meeting spaces in the city, including a convention hall that seats more than 1,000 attendees, as well as 22 multi-purpose meeting rooms distributed over two floors. Featuring natural light and equipped with cutting edge technology, the venue caters to every request, be that business or pleasure.

Hotel SOFIA Barcelona is the third property to open in Europe as part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt. It joins Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, France and Nish Palas in Istanbul, Turkey.

For more information, please visit https://sofiabarcelona.com/en/

Story and image from http://www.hyatt.com