Dubai airport to enforce liquids ban

Restrictions on carrying liquids in a passenger's hand luggage will be fully enforced from 17 June at Dubai International Airport. The Dubai Department of Civil Aviation (DCA) says that its regulations will be in line with international regulations, which are: All liquids must be in individual containers not greater than 100ml capacity. All containers must be placed in one transparent re-sealable transparent bag, no larger than 20cm x 20cm in size. Only one bag per passenger is allowed. The bag must be clear and re-sealable, such as 'ziplock' bags or bags with pressable seals. The rules apply to all liquids, including drinks, water, creams, and pastes such as toothpastes, gels, shampoos and perfumes. Exceptions to these rules are made for medicines and special foods, such as baby foods, which are required during the flight. These do not need to be carried in a plastic bag although they must be presented at the security check. Liquids such as perfumes can still be bought at Dubai Duty Free. They will be sold in two-litre tamper-evident bags that passengers are advised not to open before they are screened.

Emirates will start flights to Toronto

Emirates Airlines will start thrice-weekly, non-stop service from Dubai to Toronto, a first gateway for the airline in Canada, starting October 29.

Earlier this year, Emirates announced plans to start services to Venice in July, Newcastle in September, Sao Paulo in October and Houston in December. Emirates' global route network currently spans 87 cities in 60 countries across Africa, Europe, the Far East, the Indian Subcontinent and North America. Emirates will fly its Boeing 777-300ER offering eight luxurious private suites in First class, 42 of its latest lie-flat seats in Business class, and generous space for 304 passengers in Economy.

Dubai wins World Travel Award

The UAE has won 43 of the 65 awards presented at the first edition of the World Travel Awards (WTA) in the Middle East and Africa, which took place in Abu Dhabi. Dubai was ranked the leading business destination in the Middle East in recognition of its business-friendly environment and international standards of regulations. This is the first time ever that WTA has taken place in a Middle Eastern country. The WTA, which was launched in 1993, relies on the votes of travel agencies, tour and transport companies, and tourism organizations.

Burj Dubai is now World's Tallest Building

Burj Dubai, the landmark real estate project that is set to be the tallest building in the world, is now the second tallest building in the world with the height of 468.1 m (1,535.8 ft) and 130 storeys. Burj Dubai has also set a new world record for vertical concrete pumping for a building, by pumping to over 460 m (1,509 ft). Burj Dubai is taller than Petronas Towers in Malaysia (452 m; 1,483 ft) and Sears Tower in Chicago (442 m; 1,450 ft), and is second only to Taipei 101 (509 m; 1,670 ft), taller by only 39.9 m (145.2 ft).

DUBAI EXCELS IN WORLD-WIDE SPA SURVEY

Dubai is home to three of the best spas in the world, according to a study by The Leading Hotels of the World. The results of the study, which are published in the Leading Spas Directory, will become like Michelin stars for spas, the authors hope.

The three Dubai spas in the directory are at The Emirates Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa, the Jebel Ali Golf Resort & Spa, and the One & Only Royal Mirage.

Al Maha is among the world's best spas, according to the study.

EK TO START NON-STOP FLIGHTS TO HOUSTON

Emirates Airlines will kick off nonstop service between Houston and Dubai beginning in early December. The new flight will be among the world's longest, but it will shorten travel times between Houston and Dubai.

The flight time from Houston to Dubai will be 15 hours and 10 minutes. The return flight from Dubai on Emirates will be 17 hours and five minutes. The service is starting December 3.

Plans call for the service to start three times a week using the airline's new Boeing 777-200LR model, increasing to five a week at the start of 2008 and becoming daily February 2008.

There is a growing demand for convenient air travel connections between the U.S. and cities in the Middle East and Indian subcontinent.Houston will be the second gateway city for Emirates, which has three daily flights to Dubai from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport.

Emirates' new non-stop service from Houston further expands its North American presence, adding a key component to its rapidly growing global route network by making service to Dubai easily accessible from the Southwest, West Coast and Midwest regions of the U.S.

SKI DUBAI WELCOMES ITS MILLIONTH VISITOR

Ski Dubai has just reached a major milestone in its short history. The landmark leisure destination recently welcomed its millionth visitor after only a year or so of operations. Developed by MAF Investments as the signature feature of Mall of the Emirates, Ski Dubai has successfully established itself as a major leisure destination for residents and tourists alike.

Ski Dubai is the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East. It is located inside the Mall of the Emirates, the latest development from MAF Shopping Malls. Ski Dubai offers an amazing indoor snow setting that offers visitors superb skiing, snowboarding, and tobogganing. Ski Dubai is a unique mountain-themed attraction that offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy real snow in Dubai all year round.

Ski Dubai offers the ideal conditions for skiing and snowboarding, with a choice of five runs, as well as a 3000 square meter snow park with tobogganing, a twin track bobsled ride and tubing, among other activities. Ski Dubai's Snow School offers guests the opportunity to learn skills suitable for all ages and abilities from beginners to experienced skiers and snowboarders.