General Travel News
Gulf carriers to remain unaffected by WTO ruling
The World Tourism Organisation's (WTO) latest ban on subsidies for Airbus from European governments will not have any impact on any Gulf carriers as the ruling will affect future aircraft developments and not the existing ones.
Max Sukkhasantikul, Consultant — Commercial Aviation, Aerospace and Defence Practice, Frost & Sullivan, said: "I do not think this ruling will have any impact on the Gulf's regional airlines. The orders that they have placed are signed off and would not be affected in any way."
Emirates, the world's biggest customer of A380s and Boeing 777s, has also ordered a large number of A350s which are currently under development. Sukkhasantikul said the A350 orders won't be affected, either. "The WTO verdict on subsidies would, however, affect the new generation aircraft that both Boeing and Airbus are planning to develop."
UAE-based Emirates Airlines and Etihad Airways — the two biggest customers of Boeing and Airbus in the region — declined to comment on the latest WTO ruling.
More General Travel News
Latest Travel News
Featured Sights To See
Stein am Rhein
Zurich, Switzerland
Stein-Am-Rhein is one of Switzerland's loveliest towns. It's located about 20km east of Schaffhausen, as its name would suggest along the Rhine River. Stein-am-Rhein was a small fishing village when the Holy Roman Emperor Henry II moved St. George's Abbey here in 1007. The move was a boon to the city's economy, as the abbey had the ability to mint coins and hold markets. Fr...
Swayambhunath
Kathmandu, Nepal
Located outside the ring road surrounding Kathmandu, this Buddhist temple is considered to be one of the definitive experiences of the city. Nicknames the ‘Monkey Temple’ given the mass of monkeys you’ll find, the compound is centred around a white stupa, topped by a spire with the painted eyes of Buddha. It is a great place to see the sun set over Kathmandu and the mystical atmosphere of ancient ...
Old Parliament
Athens, Greece
This was built in 1838 and its original purpose was to stand as the Royal Palace, home to the monarch. The most unique feature of this building is the change in its color throughout the day; from white to gold to mauve. Don't miss the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier which takes place daily. Address: Vasilissis Amalias, Syntagma Square ...
National Museum of Beirut
Beirut, Lebanon
The Beirut National Museum can be traced back to Raymond Weill, a French officer stationed in Lebanon during World War II. During his time here, he began collecting ancient artifacts. In 1923, a committee was created to create a permanent museum to house these and other antiquities. Construction began in 1930 and was completed in 1937. By the time the civil war began, the museum had assembled ...