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Qatar Airways Plans Phased Rebuilding of Network

Qatar Airways to expand their operations after covid19 pandemic
Qatar Airways has announced beginning a phased approach to expanding its network in line with passengers’ demand

Qatar Airways has announced beginning a phased approach to expanding its network in line with passengers’ demand and expected relaxation of entry restrictions across the world. The airline aims to increase up to 52 destinations by the end of May 2020 and 80 destinations in June 2020.

Qatar Airways has plans to gradually reinstate suspended destinations and additional frequencies with a focus on key global destinations and partner hubs. The gradual expansion will focus initially on strengthening connections between the airline’s hub in Doha with the global hubs of its partner airlines around the world including London, Chicago, Dallas and Hong Kong along with reopening many major business and leisure destinations such as Madrid and Mumbai.

As we follow the indicators of the global travel market on a daily basis, we continue to focus on our mission – how we can enable mobility for our customers and provide them with seamless connectivity to their final destination. We have built a strong level of trust with passengers, governments, trade and airports as a reliable partner during this crisis and we intend to continue delivering on this mission as we gradually expand our network.”

Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways Group

Qatar Airways will take full advantage of its diverse and efficient fleet with the right aircraft size to ensure the best fit for expected demand on each planned route. While the expectation is that short haul travel will rebound first, business between large global cities will pick up more gradually and there will be a move towards visiting family and friends following months of lockdowns. By the end of June, the airline’s aim is to have 80 destinations in the schedule. This includes 23 in Europe, 04 in the Americas, 20 in Middle East and Africa and 33 in Asia-Pacific. Many of these cities will be served with a strong schedule with daily or more frequencies.

Throughout this crisis our passengers have been at the centre of our focus. Our airline has implemented industry-leading hygiene practices and commercial policies enabling our passengers to book and travel with confidence. We have maintained a flexible and agile network to help take over 1 million people home through our state-of-the-art hub in Doha and to transport more than 100,000 tonnes of essential medical and aid supplies to where they are needed.”

Akbar Al Baker, Group Chief Executive of Qatar Airways Group

With travel restrictions constantly changing, accurately predicting the future of travel is challenging. Even though the global situation remains dynamic, the airline has made a number of assumptions based on its unique perspective, having been one of the few airlines operating globally in the recent months. Having maintained at least 30 destinations where possible during the ongoing global crisis, and flown more than a million people back to their home countries, the airline received widespread positive feedback from passengers, governments, trade and airport partners.

Feature image by vactionstravel
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Celebrate Eid Al-Adha with Authentic Maldivian Traditions at Mercure Maldives Kooddoo

Mercure Maldives Kooddoo Hosts Fun Cultural Eid Festivities

This June, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo invites travelers to experience Eid Al-Adha in a way that goes beyond the usual holiday. The adult-only resort has created a special two-day celebration that offers a hands-on look at Maldivian culture through storytelling, traditional crafts, and local flavors. It forms part of their ongoing ‘Discover Local’ program, designed to help guests truly connect with island life.

Learning the Ancient Art of Joali Weaving

One of the standout moments takes place on Saturday, June 7, when guests join a Joali weaving workshop. This craft involves weaving coconut rope into practical items and has been quietly passed down through island families for generations. Since resorts rarely showcase this tradition, this becomes a rare chance for guests to experience a living cultural art.

Mohamed Irshad, the Front Office Manager of Mercue Maldives Kooddoo, shares why it matters:

“We don’t want to just show our guests the Maldives, we want them to feel it through our traditions. Joali weaving is one of those rare crafts that tells the story of resourcefulness, connection to nature, and island life”

Eid Buffet and the Colorful Maali Parade

The celebration starts on the evening of June 6 with an Eid buffet featuring refined takes on local festive dishes. Here, the resort prepares everything using fresh ingredients sourced nearby, celebrating the Maldives’ rich culinary heritage.

Then, the following night, the resort comes alive with the Maali Parade, a lively procession inspired by traditional Maldivian folklore. Masked performers bring ancient stories to life right on the island.

Dining Under the Sun: The Sandbank Picnic Experience

No trip to the Maldives feels complete without a sandbank picnic, and Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers a particularly memorable version. Set on a tiny, untouched island surrounded by crystal-clear water, guests enjoy an authentic meal served on tropical leaves. This picnic offers a tasting journey into Maldivian flavors, featuring local specialties like:

  • Gulha: Coconut and tuna fritters
  • Kulhi Kaajaa: Spicy tuna bites
  • Bajiya: Pastries filled with sweet and spicy mixes
  • Rihaakuru Kaajaa: Fritters made from rich fish paste
  • Dry Fish: Smoked tuna strips
  • Bodi: Sweet coconut treats with toddy syrup

Along with fresh coconut water, the food makes the meal both refreshing and deeply connected to the island’s culinary traditions.

Year-Round Cultural Experiences with ‘Discover Local’

Although Eid brings special energy to the resort, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo’s cultural offerings continue throughout the year. For instance, the ‘Discover Local’ program invites guests to try their hand at traditional sunset fishing, palm leaf art, and sampling cultural cocktails inspired by island ingredients.

The cocktail menu features creations such as:

  • Maldivian Green: A blend of gin, curry leaf syrup, lemon, and soda water
  • Ocean Breeze: Vodka infused with butterfly pea flower, peach schnapps, pineapple, and coconut syrup
  • Green Kooddoo: Rum mixed with Malibu, pandan leaf juice, pineapple, and coconut syrup
  • Mirus Rita: A spicy twist on the classic margarita using chili-infused Maldivian tequila
  • Coco Kurumba: Whisky combined with tamarind juice, coconut milk, and passion fruit syrup

These drinks add an extra layer to the island experience and let guests taste Maldivian flavors in a completely new way.

More Than a Vacation: A Cultural Journey

If you visit for Eid or explore Maldivian culture at any time, Mercure Maldives Kooddoo offers more than a stay. In fact, the resort invites guests to experience the Maldives as a vibrant, living culture, full of stories, flavors, and traditions that stay with you long after the trip ends.

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