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
Bei Hai Park
Beijing, China
Beihai is Chinese for “northern sea” and the park is named for the manmade lake that covers most of its 170 acres. It is more than a thousand years old, dating back to the Liao Dynasty in the tenth century. Successive dynasties modified and renovated it into the park we see today. It was part of the Forbidden City until 1925, when the last emperor abdicated. The park has been open to the publi...
East Delhi
New Delhi, India
This area boasts nothing spectacular. Thus, it would only be worth a visit if you want to really see the grit of New Delhi and observe how the average Jane and Joe go about their day....
Torre de Belem (Belem Tower)
Lisbon, Portugal
If Padrao dos Descobrimentos is the monument to Portugal’s Age of Discovery then Torre de Belem symbolises the essence of it. Almost like a stand-alone chess piece, the tower was built to be a defence point along Lisbon’s harbour with Manueline designed filigree stonework and even a stone rhinoceros below the western tower. You can explore the small dungeons and climb the narrow, rickety staircase...
Batu Caves
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
The Batu Caves lie thirteen kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur in the appropriately titled suburb of Batu Caves. Inside is a temple dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Murugan, a popular god among the Tamil people. The temple was founded in 1891 by Tamil immigrants to Malaysia. The caves are one of Hindu’s holiest sites outside of India. The best time of year to visit the Batu C...