Month: April 2023

Karen Gilchrist at CNBC Travel – Reports

Britain is gearing up for days of pomp and pageantry in early May as its new monarch is crowned in a coronation ceremony not seen in the country for 70 years. Millions of people are expected to travel to and around the United Kingdom to witness the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey on May 6 — the first part of a three-day celebration culminating in a public holiday on May 8.

Image Courtesy of Dea / W. Buss | De Agostini | Getty Images

Travel enquiries for the U.K. rose 90% year on year in the first quarter of 2023 as more people sought to plan visits to Britain, according to data from travel company Red Savannah. The king has pledged a more scaled-back affair than that celebrated by his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. Still, the historic occasion will be marked with regal events across London and up and down the country.

Here’s CNBC Travel’s top picks for how to spend the coronation weekend.

Watch the ceremonial procession
The coronation will take place at Westminster Abbey on May 6 in a service conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Entrance to the ceremony is by invitation only, and will be limited to some 2,000 family, friends, heads of state and VIPs. But the service will be broadcast live and viewable on big screens at a number of public venues across the U.K.

Image Courtesy of Joel Ford | Afp | Getty Images

Members of the public will also be able to gather on the streets of Westminster to watch “The King’s Procession.” Starting at Buckingham Palace, it will pass along The Mall, Admiralty Arch, King Charles I Island, Whitehall, Parliament Street, Parliament Square, and Broad Sanctuary, before finishing at Westminster Abbey. After the service, the newly coronated king and queen will undertake a larger ceremonial procession, which will follow the same route in reverse and feature other members of the Royal Family, before making a final appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace.

Spend the night like royalty
Several hotels in London have special coronation packages for those who fancy spending a night like royalty over the celebratory period.

Hotel Cafe Royal in Piccadilly is providing a “Crown Jewels Experience,” where for £12,995 ($16,135) guests can enjoy a visit to the Tower of London in a chauffeur-driven limousine and a private viewing of the crown jewels, as well as a night in the hotel’s two-bedroom royal suite and an in-suite breakfast.

Image Courtesy of Hotel Cafe Royal

For £2,345, Dukes London’s is offering a two-night stay in an executive room, as well as breakfast with Exmoor caviar and champagne, traditional cream tea, four-course dinner, as part of its “Royal Connoisseur Experience.” And at the Strand Palace, guests can “Stay Like A King” for $845, with a two-night stay, buffet breakfast, and complimentary minibar and a bottle of champagne.

Elsewhere, Four Seasons’ “Town and Country” package provides a two-night stay in its Mayfair location, before guests are whisked away to the countryside for a further two nights at Four Seasons Hampshire, complete with afternoon tea and an equestrian experience at the on-site stables.

Discover London’s regal sights
Visitors to London can also take in its regal history with a tour of the capital’s major royal sights.

Starting at Buckingham Palace — the official residence of the U.K.’s sovereign since 1837 — tourists can watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony, before exploring the Queen’s Gallery and the Household Cavalry Museum.

Nearby, Westminster Abbey, Kensington Palace — once home to Princess Diana — and the Tower of London all offer opportunities to explore the grandeur of Britain’s monarchy over the centuries.

Meanwhile, on the outskirts of London, tourists can also visit Hampton Court, Henry VIII’s favored royal residence, and Windsor Castle, the final resting place of the Queen Elizabeth.

Picnic in the Royal Parks
London’s Royal Parks offer a more low-key way to absorb the royal atmosphere over the coronation weekend. Kensington Palace Gardens, Regent’s, Green, Hyde and St James’s parks are lush havens within the hustle and bustle of central London.

The latter three will host the procession and coronation service on big screens, presenting an opportunity to join the celebrations with a picnic. Slightly further out, Richmond, Greenwich and Bushy parks all offer wide open spaces to enjoy the weekend’s festivities.

Explore Britain’s famous castles
For a more extensive overview of Britain’s royal landmarks, holidaymakers can set out on a tour of England’s regal castles. Highgrove Estate, country home of the king and queen consort, Sandringham House, the royal family’s Norfolk residence, and Holkham Hall are some a number of regal residences and gardens open to tours, though some opening times will vary over the coronation weekend.

Further afield in Scotland, the public can visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the King’s official residence in Edinburgh, Balmoral Castle, the royal family’s Scottish residence, or take a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Rock out in Windsor Gardens
A live coronation concert will be held at Windsor Castle on May 7, with tickets 10,000 made available to the public via a ballot.

Image Courtesy of Samir Hussein | Wireimage | Getty Images

While a number of high profile musicians including Elton John, Adele and Harry Styles have reportedly turned down invitations to perform, the concert is expected to feature appearances from Katy Perry, Lionel Richie and Andrea Bocelli, as well as a series of dance, art and orchestral performances.

Hosted by Britain’s public broadcaster the BBC, the concert will also be broadcast live to viewers across the country.

Celebrate with a street party
Local communities will also host a series of smaller events and street parties throughout the weekend, with people encouraged to share a meal with their neighbors at a coronation Big Lunch on May 7. Don’t fret if you don’t have a neighborhood party to attend. A number of businesses will be holding public events with food stalls and live performances, including London’s Grosvenor Square and Battersea Power Station.

On May 8, people are also invited to engage in voluntary projects in their local areas as part of The Big Help Out charity program.

In recognition of the Coronation of His Majesty The King on Saturday 6th May 2023 at Westminster Abbey, London, we would like to share with you a little of his aviation history and experience.

King Charles III is the military’s Commander-in-Chief. Both he and his son, the Prince of Wales (the next in line to the throne) are fully qualified RAF pilots. He has always maintained a close relationship with the Armed Forces and served in the both Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

During his second year at Cambridge University, he received flying instruction from the Royal Air Force.On 8 March 1971, the King – then known as Prince Charles – flew himself to RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire to train as a jet pilot. Jet Provosts were designed to enable junior pilots who had already qualified on propeller driven aeroplanes, to get their first experiences flying jet powered aeroplanes. Trainee pilots would then go on to fly something more powerful. In 1971 the red and white Jet Provost T5A XW323 /9166M was new, and it was based at the airfield of the officer training college at RAF Cranwell, Lincolnshire. It was selected for use for the pilot training of Flt Lt The Prince of Wales. His period of training was codenamed Exercise Golden Eagle’ and his aeroplane as Golden Eagle Two. Two Jet Provosts were held at readiness for use by the Prince during his four-month course. He flew just over 92 hours in these, 23 ½ of them solo.

After his last training flight on 27 July, he was qualified to wear the Royal Air Force Flying badge, which was presented to him on 20 August 1971 by Air Vice Marshal Sir Denis Spotswood during a ceremony at Cranwell, Lincolnshire.

After passing out at RAF Cranwell, he embarked on a career in the Royal Navy, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather and both great-grandfathers. Following his six-week course at Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, he spent time serving on the guided missile destroyer HMS Norfolk and two frigates – HMS Minerva and HMS Jupiter.

1974 saw the future King qualify as a helicopter pilot and he flew Wessex helicopters with 845 Naval Air Squadron from the commando aircraft carrier HMS Hermes.

The King gave up flying in 1994 following a crash in the Hebrides in which a Queen’s Flight passenger jet was damaged at a cost of £1 million. An RAF board of inquiry found that the aircraft’s captain had been negligent in allowing him to take the controls. Prince Charles (as he was at the time) was not blamed because, despite holding the RAF rank of group captain, he was regarded as a passenger who was invited to fly the aircraft. The inquiry can pass judgment on the crew.

The press reported the following:

“The RAF report into the accident, released in the House of Commons yesterday, concluded the jet was flying 32 knots (40mph) too fast when it crossed the runway threshold. Only 509m (557yds) of the 1,245m-long (1,362yd) strip remained when all the aircraft’s wheels touched down, causing a tyre to burst and another to deflate.”

Despite leaving the military, the King has continued to work closely with the Armed Forces and in 2012, Queen Elizabeth II awarded him the highest rank in all three services – Field Marshal, Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Royal Air Force.

He has been the Commander-in-Chief of the UK Armed Forces since the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, in September 2022. A month later, the King replaced the Duke of Sussex as Captain General of the Royal Marines – the ceremonial head of the corps.

His first flight as King was traveling from Aberdeen to London onboard an Embraer Legacy private jet. King Charles III and his wife Camilla, now Queen Consort, took off from Aberdeen Airport at around 12:30 local time for the one hour trip south back to the capital.

The King has frequently flown on other aircraft, including the UK’s A330-based MRTT, affectionately known as Boris Force One. In fact, he and his wife were the first passengers on board the newly liveried aircraft in November 2020, flying to Berlin to observe Memorial Day.

In February 2020, Charles was treated to a tour of British Airways’ maintenance base, with the then-CEO Alex Cruz taking the heir on a tour of a Boeing 787, showcasing the airline’s sustainability efforts. The aircraft was G-ZBKA, and the prince was shown everything from the interiors to the inner workings of the Trent 1000 engines. It was a nice bookend for him to be at the maintenance base again, as he opened the facility some 26 years previously.

As King, the Queen’s Flight will become the King’s Flight again, for the first time in 70 years. This is a special fleet of aircraft at the disposal of the royal family for trips and visits, and currently includes three helicopters, the A330 MRTT, An A321neo, and a Dassault Falcon 900LX.

Stuff, New Zealand – Reports

After almost 4 1/2 years of trying, Mexico’s president says he has finally sold the unwanted presidential jet – to the former Soviet republic of Tajikistan.

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador said the government of Tajikistan paid the equivalent of about US$92 million (NZ$150 million) for the Boeing 787 jet.

López Obrador refused to use the jet after taking office on December 1, 2018, saying it was too luxurious. The austerity-loving president usually takes commercial flights.

López Obrador had tried to lure corporations and business executives to buy the jet, but found no takers. He even symbolically “raffled off” the plane, which would be expensive to convert back into a normal airliner. The plane was purchased for US$200 million and was used by the previous president, Enrique Peña Nieto.

It has been difficult to sell because it is configured to carry only 80 people and has a full presidential suite with a private bath. Experts said it would be costly to reconfigure into a typical passenger jet that would carry up to 300 passengers. Though the plane has relatively few miles on it, Mexico was eager to unload it because maintenance costs make it expensive to keep parked. There had been talk the Boeing 787 might be turned over to an army-run company for use as a commercial jet.

“After a long time, we managed to sell the plane,” López Obrador said in a video clip from inside the plane, which he had previously refused to board. “We are happy.”

“We are going to use the money from selling the plane to build two hospitals,” he said.

Otilia Dragan from Auto Evolution – Reports

If you feel that contemporary superyachts are sheer monstrosities and that luxury cruising is no longer what it once was, you must feast your eyes on the one-of-a-kind Halas 71. This unique vessel is the ultimate floating palace, both a historic masterpiece and a glamorous ferry for modern cruises.

One of the advantages of contemporary culture is that we can still enjoy the charm of some historic means of transportation without compromising on modern comfort. Today, we can ride on the upgraded version of the Orient Express, spend a holiday inside a restored train car from a bygone era, or cruise onboard a wooden sailing vessel with century-old decks. Those lucky enough to travel to Turkey also have the chance to experience luxury cruising onboard a living piece of history – the Halas 71.

Few vessels currently in operation have a story as rich and fascinating as Halas 71. Fairfield Shipping Co. built this passenger ferry more than a century ago, in 1914. The beautiful ferry was born in Glasgow, Great Britain, but flaunted a name with an oriental flavor – Reshid Pasha. That is because the Ottoman Government purchased it in early 1914. But a twist of fate quickly changed its trajectory.

Because of World War I, when most vessels were repurposed for strategic operations, the British Government seized the new ferry. It was sent to Gallipoli, a seaport and town in the European part of Turkey. The motor yacht began serving as part of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary and was renamed Waterwitch.

At the end of WWI, the Waterwitch would return to Turkish waters. But for four more years, starting in 1918, it continued to be operated by the British Allied Headquarters. Finally, in 1923, Great Britain officially handed it over to the new Republic of Turkey. This is why the beautiful Halas 71 will forever be linked to a unique moment in history when the Ottoman Empire was fading away, and the modern Turkish Republic was being born. That is also when it got the name it still holds today, meaning “deliverance.”

The newly renamed Halas 71 started a fresh chapter that would last for more than 50 years. At one point, it was the largest ferryboat in the Bosphorus, boasting a capacity of more than 1,000 passengers in summer and 961 passengers in winter. By 1980, it was in danger of being destroyed like other old vessels that were no longer in use. Luckily, a well-known couple in Turkey saved it and had it refitted.

The Halas 71 became a luxury cruiser and started a new life. More than two decades later, in 2008, it underwent another extensive refit after changing ownership. It went from 15 cabins to 12 cabins. It got all the luxury amenities of contemporary motor yachts without negatively impacting its unique old charm.

Today, this Turkish floating palace operates as a fully licensed coastal cruiser that can be chartered for day trips on the Bosphorus or special events. One week onboard starts at €106,500 ($117,000), and its prestige was confirmed by the presence of VIP guests such as members of the Royal Family and former Presidents from Turkey and France. Even George Bush and Bill Clinton seemed to have stepped onboard the historic cruiser.

At a little over 171 feet (53 meters), the Halas 71 is as impressive in stature as a contemporary motor yacht. The generous 726 GT volume was used for a total of 12 cabins plus several ultra-glamorous dining and lounging areas. As a charter yacht, it can typically accommodate 12 guests, spoiled by a sizeable 16-people crew. Still, it’s spacious enough to welcome up to 120 guests onboard regarding day events.

Each cabin has a unique, elegant décor, matching the luxurious wood paneling. The equivalent of a superyacht’s master suite is the Lycian Suite, which covers 43 square meters (463 square feet). It’s located on the top deck, together with two more suites that are nearly half its size. The lower deck houses two larger suites forward, four aft, and two smaller twins. All the cabins feature en-suite bathrooms and air conditioning.

Like any luxury vessel from that era, the Halas 71 delights its guests with a gorgeous classic-style dining area, library, and sophisticated salon and bar. The modern touches include services such as a sauna and massage, plus a considerable selection of water toys.

Performance-wise, the coastal cruiser doesn’t need over-the-top capabilities. It’s equipped with two Caterpillar engines of 510 HP each, enough to propel it at a maximum of 12 knots (13.8 mph/22 kph), burning 150 liters per hour.

This exquisite floating palace covers three different routes along Turkey’s Aegean and Mediterranean coastlines, plus a newly added one to the Greek Islands. Traveling onboard this historic vessel with such a rich history is undoubtedly one of the best ways to visit antique cities in this spectacular area. Luxury and history meet inside this unique kind of yacht.

Luxury Travel Magazine – Reports

As the weather warms up, a pool becomes a must-have amenity for travelers seeking a refreshing break. Whether it’s a stunning infinity pool with panoramic views, a secluded oasis complete with lush greenery, or a luxurious indoor pool, we’ve rounded up a list of impressive hotel and resort pools, each with its own unique features and amenities.

Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa – Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii – Beachfront Resort
Get away to the soothing white sands of Poipu on Kauai’s sunny south shore at Grand Hyatt Kauai Resort & Spa. This luxury oasis with lush gardens and acres of pools offers ocean view dining, rooms with private lanais, championship golf and Anara Spa.

A Water Playground — Lounge the day away at the resort’s award-winning multi-level pools and saltwater lagoon. Float down our lava-rock lined lazy river pool past waterfalls, quiet seating nooks and secret caves to end at our 150-foot waterslide. Whoosh down and play a game of water volleyball or basketball. Or find your niche in our quiet adult pool area. Umbrellas for shade are offered throughout or rent a cabana for shaded privacy. The 1.5 acre saltwater lagoon offers a sandy beach replete with islands to swim to. If it’s ocean breezes you prefer, Keoneloa Bay/Shipwreck Beach’s white sand is just steps away.

Hacienda AltaGracia – Costa Rica
Visit Hacienda AltaGracia and experience the transformative waters of Costa Rica. Perched above the cloud line in rolling hills with sweeping views of the San Isidro Valley, sink into a private cabana to take in the peaceful surroundings at one of the two resort pools, take time to reset and recharge with the natural River Bath or a pre-treatment dip in the heated jet pool at Casa de Agua, or explore the lands beyond the hacienda with curated experiences allowing you to enjoy the refreshing and salty waters of The Pacific.

El Encanto, A Belmond Hotel – Santa Barbara, California
El Encanto celebrates Santa Barbara’s early architecture fusing California Craftsman and Spanish Colonial, this iconic retreat reflects 1920s style coupled with splashes of modern artistry. Gaze out across the Pacific while soaking up the sun in the lavish zero-edge swimming pool. It’s the perfect setting to unwind and acclimatize to El Encanto’s easygoing lifestyle.

The Kayon Jungle Resort – Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Enveloped by lush valley greenery and perched above the flowing water of the Uwos River, The Kayon Jungle Resort is a sanctuary of tropical indulgence. Inspired by the gentle curves of Bali’s famed Tegalalang Rice Terrace, Wanna Jungle Pool & Bar is spread over three distinctive levels. Each infinity pool is a refreshing body of water that lends itself to tropical relaxation and there is ample deck space to lie back and soak up the sun. Offering a collection of shaded cabanas and a unique circular seating pod, this picturesque venue recreates the ambience of an exclusive day club in a lush river valley setting.

Porto Zante Villas & Spa – Zakynthos, Greece – Luxury Resort
Porto Zante Villas & Spa is the leading villa resort in Europe where guests enjoy the ultimate privacy of world class villas, located directly on the beachfront, and exceptional five-star hotel amenities & services. One of the “14 World’s Best Family Hotels” by Condé Nast Traveller in the UK, “Top 100 Hotels of the World” by Hideaways and “Europe’s Leading Beach Hotel” by the World Travel Awards, Porto Zante has been the choice of famous clientele, including political leaders, important business people and artists. A truly unique resort, decorated and furnished with selected pieces of Armani Casa and paintings of prominent Greek artists, it comprises world class luxury villas on the beach, all with private heated pools, 2 Restaurants serving Greek, Mediterranean and Asian Fusion cuisine, 2 Bars, an award-winning Private Waterfront Spa, a Kids Club and a state of the art Gym by Technogym.

Luxury Camp – Italy – On the beach a half hour from Venice’s historic center
2 wonderful water parks for a total surface of 15,000 sqm, for endless fun…and the entrance is already included in the price of Luxury Camp!

Aqua Park Laguna: unique in Europe, 10,000 sqm of white sand and bending palm trees, with waterfalls, whirlpools among the rocks and water games for the youngest guests…and in addition the fun of the Vortex, the Wave Pool and slides up to 10 meters high.

Aqua Park Marino: real emotions, lots of fun just a few meters from the beach…Refreshing mushroom-shaped showers, thousand bubbles in the whirlpools, the Easy River to be carried by the current, a splendid aquatic landscape to try!

The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi – Fitness, Wellness & Health Retreat Programs near Rome, Italy
The Ranch Malibu brings its award-winning, transformational wellness program to a historic property, nestled in one of Italy’s richest naturalistic areas, just 50 minutes from Rome. The Ranch Italy at Palazzo Fiuggi combines a results-oriented fitness program with the services and expertise of the esteemed team at this renowned medical wellness retreat. The result is an immersive and transformative program that gives guests a more complete picture of their overall health and longevity, departing with a greater sense of self, feeling rested and rejuvenated while losing weight and gaining muscle.

Fairmont Le Chateau Frontenac – Quebec City, Canada
Steeped in history, Fairmont Le Château Frontenac is more than a hotel, it is an iconic castle that inspires visitors from all over the world. The Château is the heart of Quebec City, located on the cliffs of Cap Diamant, and is the world’s most photographed hotel. A stay allows you to venture out into a European style walled city, built in the 1600s, with hundreds of restaurants, museums, art galleries and boutiques. The hotel features world class dining in four restaurants, a full-service spa, a wellness center, a Fitness and Aquatic center (pictured), and and over 700 passionate employees to take care of your every request.

Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa – Rancho Santa Fe, California
Rancho Valencia Resort & Spa is Southern California’s only Relais & Châteaux property and has garnered a reputation as one of the West’s most sought-after five star resorts. A sanctuary of good living tucked away on 45 acres of lush gardens and olive groves, this Mediterranean-inspired, all-suite property near Del Mar, California offers 49 luxuriously-appointed, guest casitas with their own patios and fireplaces and 3 opulent private residences, all of which provide the perfect backdrop for your next weekend escape or extended family gathering. Situated across 45 acres of lush gardens and citrus groves, this Forbes 5-star rated Resort and Spa features rejuvenating wellness, fitness, and world-renowned tennis programming.

Neha Tandon Sharma from Luxury Launches – Reports

Have you been pining for a ravishing Rolex watch? We’ve discovered an easy way to get the iconic timepiece on your wrist. Buy a private jet! FlyAlliance is offering a free Rolex valued up to $50,000 if you buy a 50 hours per year share in one of its Citation XLS+ and Next Gen fleets, per Forbes. The Rolex deal is limited to the first five buyers, which is understandable considering the shortage of the sought-after timepiece. To get the best out of this deal, one has to splurge $1,195,000 for 1/16th ownership interest.

Some of the moolah will come back when your term expires in five years. FlyAlliance is not alone in offering sweet deals to potential customers. Jets.com and Magellan Jets have had similar offers in the market. Magellan Jets rolled out a limited number of 15-hour jet cards. Its card program typically starts at 25 hours.

Garrett Seiple, the Boston-based provider’s marketing director, commented, “With all of the uncertainty across global markets, we wanted to offer the safe, seamless, low-risk private travel solution of our Jet Card program at a lower capital investment.” The private jet industry has surely seen better days, from a shortage of private jets to now resorting to gimmicks and deals to entice clients. Hopefully, the Rolex watch will show them better times.

Kevin Singh from Travel Daily News – Reports

We’ve all seen pets in small cages and bags carried through commercial aviation cargo ramps to large airliners. While some owners don’t have a choice due to price, it is widely known that this process can stress pets due to loud unfamiliar noises, varying changes in temperature, and unexpected movements. And that’s without mentioning the many cases where pets are wrongly shipped leaving them stranded for hours or even days in a foreign airport.

Things can even get worse, if you know what I mean, the reason why I’ll stick to the rising trend of private jet charters, what’s fueling this movement, and the logistics behind it. Everyone knows that chartering a private jet is expensive, however allowing your pet to travel safely and with utmost comfort is a price that many are willing to pay. In fact, some owners have paid a charter as a group to reduce expenses when flying their furry loved ones.

I envision this trend only growing in the foreseeable future as airline inefficiencies remain an industry standard, especially with Fourth of July travel right around the corner. Owners can decide to travel alongside their pets in the cabin or send their precious cargo with the crew and even on some occasions alongside the watch and care of a dedicated flight attendant. While the result is a happy family and a wagging tail, many variables go behind the coordination of a private charter flight for pets.

Documentation for flying your pet on a private charter
Depending on the country, there might be strict rules and paperwork to have a pet on board. For domestic flights in the U.S., most operators do not require documentation to fly a pet, yet that may change drastically when flying internationally from the states. Some countries may differ from one requirement to another although the most common ones are vaccination certifications, a certification by the veterinary, and the pet’s passport and microchip details.

The purpose of the dog’s travel also needs to be informed, and if it’s pure leisure with a fixed number of days in a foreign country, then usually there are no further questions asked. More details are requested for importation or relocation purposes, the latter being one of the main reasons clients charter a jet with pets on board as they want the entire family moving together to another country.

For the UK, for instance, you can enter the country with a dog, cat, or ferret if it has been microchipped, possesses a pet passport or health certificate, and has been vaccinated against rabies. In contrast, the strictest policies can be found in the Middle East with operators requesting for pets to travel in a crate without being allowed to walk freely in the cabin when flying.

No matter the route and countries involved, working alongside an experienced company like Icarus Jet will allow pet owners to enjoy a worry-free travel experience regarding their pets’ documentation and status in a certain region while also knowing beforehand if there are any extra fees for cabin cleaning after the flight – although this is not a usual practice by operators. While I understand that price might be an issue for many, allowing a pet to travel right next to its owners while being petted and even fed is a priceless feeling – believe me. There are also more cost-efficient options like turboprops instead of larger aircraft that also enable passengers and pets to enjoy the all-around private jet experience, especially for shorter flights. The key is to receive advice from a trustworthy private jet provider with verifiable experience transporting domestic animals on domestic and international routes.

Yahoo! Finance – Reports

Dubai, April 06, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Jetex, a Dubai-based global leader in executive aviation, is proud to announce its long-awaited arrival in Abu Dhabi. The new flagship private terminal (FBO) will build upon the distinctive legacy of Al Bateen Executive Airport, the region’s only dedicated private jet airport, while introducing unparalleled experiences for guests, further cementing its position as world’s leading destination.

Al Bateen Airport was built in the 1960s and for many years served as the main gateway to Abu Dhabi. Since 2008, the airport has operated as an executive jet facility, focusing on business jets with fast and efficient turnarounds without holding patterns or slot restrictions and short taxi times. Located in the heart of the city, it provides rapid access to Abu Dhabi’s key financial, tourist and entertainment destinations.

Jetex Abu Dhabi will stimulate further growth and expansion of private aviation sector in the capital of the UAE. The globally recognized brand will create additional value and offer new opportunities both to UAE citizens, residents and international travelers.
Passengers traveling via Jetex Abu Dhabi can look forward to a seamless travel experience with several spacious private lounges of VIP and VVIP terminals, elegant hospitality and luxurious amenities synonymous with the Jetex brand. On-site immigration and customs support ensure smooth formalities for arrivals and departures.

The secure apron and hangar parking facilities can accommodate up to 50 aircraft, offering a wide range of ground handling services. The agreement was made public during a signing ceremony held at Al Bateen Airport, signed from Abu Airports side by their MD and CEO, H.E. Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri and Adel Mardini, Founder and CEO, Jetex.

“We are delighted to welcome Jetex to Al Bateen Executive Airport and look forward to working with such a distinguished aviation services specialist, as we reinvigorate tailor-made business aviation. As a dedicated FBO operator well versed with the needs and requirements of this specific market segment, we look forward to collaborating with Jetex moving forward and successfully delivering great value to all our passengers” said H.E. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer at Abu Dhabi Airports.

Commenting on the occasion, Adel Mardini, Founder & CEO of Jetex, said: “Jetex Abu Dhabi marks a milestone for our brand and confirms our commitment to the region. We are especially excited to bring the Jetex experience to the UAE capital. We aim to create a regal welcome to this beautiful city for our international guests as well as to ensure that every need is anticipated, every wish is granted and every minute is memorable when you are with us at Jetex Abu Dhabi.”

In 2022, the expansion work was completed at Al Bateen Executive Airport, which involved the resurfacing and widening of the existing 3.2km runway to accommodate widebody aircrafts, in addition to upgraded ground lighting, enhanced signage and landscape to meet the highest levels of safety, compliance and accreditation. Over the coming months, Jetex will redesign and further upgrade the FBO facilities to ensure that the airport continuously exceeds passenger and crew expectations and is equipped to meet current and future sustainability requirements of the industry.

The agreement was made public during a signing ceremony held at Al Bateen Airport, signed from Abu Airports side by their MD and CEO, H.E. Eng. Jamal Salem Al Dhaheri and Adel Mardini, Founder and CEO, Jetex.

Ian Molyneaux from the Aerotime Hub – Reports

A preliminary report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has indicated that the death of a female passenger on board a Bombardier private jet was not caused by turbulence.

Dana J. Hyde, 55, from Maryland died from injuries sustained on March 3, 2023, while traveling from Keene, New Hampshire, to Leesburg, Virginia. It was originally suspected that Hyde, who had worked for both the Clinton and Obama administrations, was killed after turbulence aboard the Bombardier Challenger 300. The NTSB has now released further details regarding the incident with new information on the events preceding Hyde’s death.

The crew told investigators at around 6,000 feet that system alerts indicated there was an issue with the stabilizer trim, which helps keep aircraft stable. Referring to the plane’s quick reference handbook the crew moved the stabilizer trim switch, located on the center console, off.

As soon as the switch position was moved, the airplane abruptly pitched up, and then proceeded in a “negative vertical acceleration” before pitching up again.

The crew managed to regain control after the stabilizer trim was switched back to the primary position.

The lead pilot told the NTSB, “He had no problem manually flying the airplane after the in-flight upset, nor did he experience any abnormalities trimming the airplane using the manual pitch trim switch, located on the control column, at any point during the flight.”

Shortly after gaining control the plane’s crew were advised that a passenger had been injured and air traffic control was notified of the medical emergency. Upon landing paramedics entered the airplane and subsequently transported the injured passenger to a nearby hospital. The passenger succumbed to her injuries later in the day at the hospital. The flight crew reported that they did not experience any remarkable turbulence during the flight, nor during the time immediately surrounding the in-flight upset event.

According to the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) the lead pilot had accumulated 5,061 total flight hours, and 88 hours in the Challenger 300. The secondary pilot had accumulated 8,025 total flight hours, and 78 hours in the same jet. In October 2022, both pilots completed initial ground and simulator training and earned their “pilot in command” type rating in the Challenger 300.