Emirates Stops Flights to 3 Major Australian Cities

FILE PHOTO - An Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France, September 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
FILE PHOTO - An Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France, September 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
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Emirates Stops Flights to 3 Major Australian Cities

FILE PHOTO - An Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France, September 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard
FILE PHOTO - An Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France, September 19, 2018. REUTERS/Eric Gaillard

Dubai-based Emirates has suspended flights to Australia's three largest cities.

The carrier was one of the last to maintain routes into and out of the country's east coast throughout most of the pandemic but on Friday evening told travelers a handful of planned flights next week would be the last.

"Due to operational reasons, Emirates flights to/from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne will be suspended until further notice," Emirates said on its website.

The airline will still run two flights a week to Perth.

Australia's borders have effectively been closed since March to curb the spread of the coronavirus, with the government even limiting the number of citizens allowed to return.

Last week travel restrictions were further tightened, with arrival numbers slashed and all travelers into the country requiring a negative Covid-19 test before flying.

In making the changes, Prime Minister Scott Morrison cited a growing number of people in quarantine testing positive for new strains of Covid-19.



Oman’s Commerce Minister: Omani-Saudi Trade, Economic Ties Witness Significant Growth

General view of Riyadh. SPA
General view of Riyadh. SPA
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Oman’s Commerce Minister: Omani-Saudi Trade, Economic Ties Witness Significant Growth

General view of Riyadh. SPA
General view of Riyadh. SPA

Omani Minister of Commerce, Industry, and Investment Promotion Qais bin Mohammad Al-Yousef has said that trade and economic relations between Oman and Saudi Arabia are experiencing significant growth, reflecting the strength of the fraternal and historical ties between the two countries.

During a news conference organized by the Omani Ministry of Information under the theme "Oman and the World," Al-Yousef explained on Thursday that joint projects reflect the efforts made to enhance economic cooperation between the two nations, particularly in areas that support trade exchange, regional economic development and expanding cooperation in fields such as energy, industry, technology, and tourism.

He highlighted Saudi Arabia’s efforts in opening the land route linking the Kingdom to Oman, which represents a qualitative leap in enhancing bilateral trade movement. It has facilitated the mobility of both companies and citizens and boosted tourism and public communication, alongside supporting both nations’ efforts to achieve economic integration through building advanced infrastructure, he said.

"Saudi-Omani relations are strong and prosperous, witnessing growth in all areas. We are confident that the continued cooperation between us will yield strategic gains that serve the interests of both countries in the commercial, industrial, or tourism sectors,” the minister said.

He also pointed out that Saudi Arabia has made significant strides in developing the industrial sector and modernizing the logistical infrastructure, which opens new horizons for joint cooperation, especially in areas related to industrial integration and investment in major projects.

He highlighted the recent visit by Saudi Minister of Commerce Majid Al-Kassabi to Oman, where he discussed several initiatives that both sides aim to implement in the near future, as well as opportunities to launch joint projects between the private sectors of both countries, particularly in industrial fields.

Al-Yousef stressed the Saudi-Omani relationship serves as a model for Arab economic cooperation, and that the future holds many opportunities to strengthen this cooperation at all levels.