Meliá Hotels International Expands in Greece with INNSiDE Crete Elounda

Meliá Hotels International Expands in Greece with INNSiDE Crete Elounda

By Nithyakala Neelakandan

Published on July 8, 2024

Spanish hotel chain Meliá Hotels International is expanding its footprint in Greece with the introduction of INNSiDE Crete Elounda. This new addition marks the company's fifth property in Greece and the first under the INNSiDE by Meliá brand in the country.

The agreement to launch INNSiDE Crete Elounda was signed on May 24, 2024, and represents a significant step in lifestyle travel for Greece. This move strengthens Meliá’s partnership with Zeus Hotels, bringing their combined offering to over 1,050 rooms.

Located in the picturesque town of Elounda on Crete's northeastern coast, the hotel will occupy the site of the current Elounda Ilion. The property, perched atop a hill with panoramic sea views, will undergo a complete renovation and rebranding to meet INNSiDE’s high standards. Set to open in May 2025, the 5-star INNSiDE Crete Elounda will blend traditional Greek charm with luxurious modern amenities, offering guests an unparalleled holiday experience.

INNSiDE Crete Elounda: More Than a Hotel

INNSiDE by Meliá is designed for modern, adventurous travelers. Each property reflects the essence of its location, fostering a sense of community among guests. INNSiDE Crete Elounda will feature:

Luxurious Accommodations: 85 rooms that combine contemporary luxury with comfort.

Integrated Common Area: A seamless space that includes the lobby, reception, and bar, ideal for both work and relaxation.

Top-Notch Amenities: From in-room facilities to the innovative Big Idea Space, Open Living Lounges, and fitness centers.

Sustainable Practices: Emphasizing eco-friendly initiatives with minimal paper and plastic use, organic toiletries, and events featuring local culture and artists.

This holistic approach ensures guests enjoy a sense of freedom and creativity, designed for independent travelers with a spirit of adventure. Sustainability is a core focus, ensuring minimal environmental impact while providing a luxurious experience.

Lefteris Papakaliatis, CEO of Zeus Hotels, expressed excitement about the partnership, saying, “We are delighted to extend our successful partnership with Meliá Hotels International. The new hotel in Elounda reinforces our commitment to raising Greek hospitality standards and offering exceptional experiences to our guests.”

Gabriel Escarrer, Chairman & CEO of Meliá Hotels International, added, “We are excited to introduce INNSiDE by Meliá to Greece. This partnership allows us to combine Meliá Hotels International’s industry expertise with Greece’s unrivaled hospitality, strengthening our presence in both the Greek market and the wider Mediterranean region.”

INNSiDE Crete Elounda joins Meliá’s expanding portfolio in Greece, which includes Sol Marina Beach, Sol Cosmopolitan, and Blue Sea Beach, all in partnership with Zeus Hotels, as well as the Meliá Athens hotel in the capital.

About Meliá Hotels International

Founded in 1956 in Mallorca, Spain, Meliá Hotels International operates more than 400 hotels in over 40 countries under nine brands. Known for its commitment to responsible tourism, Meliá has been recognized as Europe’s most sustainable hotel company. The group's Mediterranean roots and extensive experience in leisure-inspired urban hotels make it a leader in the global hospitality industry.


Singapore Airshow 2026 Set to Dazzle with Global Flying Displays

Singapore Airshow 2026 Set to Dazzle with Global Flying Displays

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 27, 2026

Singapore Airshow 2026, to be held at the Changi Exhibition Centre, is set to thrill audiences with an impressive line-up of international flying displays, bringing together a total of eight aerial performances by six air forces and two commercial aircraft manufacturers. The showcase promises a dynamic display of aerobatics, precision flying, and advanced aviation capabilities.

The flying display programme features a compelling mix of modern combat aircraft and commercial aviation highlights. Making its debut at the event is the Royal Australian Air Force’s F-35A Lightning II, a fifth-generation fighter aircraft known for its advanced technology and operational versatility.

Several globally recognised military aerobatic teams will return to the skies at Singapore Airshow 2026. These include the Indian Air Force’s Sarang helicopter display team, the Indonesian Air Force’s Jupiter aerobatic team, and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force’s Bayi aerobatic team. The Royal Malaysian Air Force’s Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jet, which previously impressed audiences in earlier editions, will once again perform at the airshow.

Representing the host nation, the Republic of Singapore Air Force will showcase its Integrated Display Team, featuring the F-16C fighter jet and the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter. The display will highlight seamless coordination between pilots and ground crew, underlining the precision, discipline, and professionalism required to keep the aircraft flight-ready.

Commercial aviation will also take centre stage, with two standout aircraft featured in the flying display line-up. Airbus’ A350-1000 will return with its distinctive blend of power and elegance, while COMAC’s C919 narrow-body airliner will demonstrate the rapid progress being made in next-generation commercial aircraft.

Mr Leck Chet Lam, Managing Director of Experia Events, organiser of the Singapore Airshow, said: "The flying displays are always among the most anticipated highlights of the Singapore Airshow and the 2026 line-up reflects the strong international support for the event. We are pleased to present a diverse mix of military and commercial aircraft that showcases both cutting-edge technology and the skill of aircrew from around the world. We look forward to welcoming industry professionals, aviation enthusiasts and the public to enjoy these spectacular aerial performances."

Beyond the flying displays, Singapore Airshow 2026 will feature an extensive static display of more than 35 aircraft, covering commercial, business, military and unmanned platforms. Leading manufacturers and operators such as Airbus, Bombardier, COMAC, Dassault, Embraer, Gulfstream, Pilatus and Textron Aviation will be represented, alongside military assets from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, German Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and United States Air Force.

Weekend@Airshow tickets will be available through SISTIC, with group packages offering bundled access along with car park facilities, making the event accessible to aviation fans and families alike.


Airlines Alter Middle East Routes Amid Iran–US Tensions

Airlines Alter Middle East Routes Amid Iran–US Tensions

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 27, 2026

Airlines have begun rerouting and cancelling several flights across the Middle East as tensions escalate between Iran and the United States, prompting heightened safety measures across international aviation networks. Carriers are steering clear of sensitive airspace in the region, leading to longer flight paths and potential disruptions for passengers.

The situation intensified after President Donald Trump stated that the United States had an “armada” heading towards Iran. In response, a senior Iranian official said Iran would treat any attack “as an all-out war against us,” as a US military aircraft carrier strike group and additional assets were expected to arrive in the Middle East.

In light of the developments, the European Union’s aviation regulator advised airlines to avoid Iranian airspace following rising concerns over regional stability and security threats. Several major carriers have since adjusted their operations as a precautionary move.

KLM announced it would avoid flying over large parts of the Middle East until further notice. A spokesperson for the airline said, “As a precaution, given the geopolitical situation, KLM will not fly through the airspace of Iran, Iraq and Israel and will not fly over several countries in the Gulf region.”

Air France temporarily suspended its service to Dubai before resuming operations, stating that it was closely tracking developments in the region. The airline said it “continuously monitors the geopolitical situation of the territories served and overflown by its aircraft.”

Lufthansa confirmed that it is bypassing Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice. The airline also restricted its services to certain destinations and warned that some flights could be cancelled due to these operational changes.

British Airways temporarily suspended flights to Bahrain as a precaution, while maintaining that it continued to closely monitor the evolving situation. The airline later confirmed that services had resumed as scheduled.

Finnair stated that it had stopped flying through Iraqi airspace and was instead routing flights to Doha and Dubai over Saudi Arabia. The carrier had already been avoiding Iranian, Syrian and Israeli airspace due to security concerns.

Wizz Air also confirmed that it avoids Iraqi and Iranian airspace, noting that some westbound flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi require refuelling and crew change stops in Larnaca or Thessaloniki as a result of longer routes.

As tensions remain high, airlines continue to reassess flight operations in real time, prioritising passenger and crew safety while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape.


Emirates Skywards Partners with Jet2.com to Offer Flight Rewards

Emirates Skywards Partners with Jet2.com to Offer Flight Rewards

By Manu Vardhan Kannan

Published on January 24, 2026

Emirates Skywards has announced a new partnership with Jet2.com, giving members the opportunity to redeem Skywards Miles for flight rewards across the airline’s network of more than 75 sun, leisure city, and ski destinations. With this collaboration, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates and flydubai continues to strengthen its presence in the UK, offering its four million members in the market greater choice and flexibility.

Commenting on the partnership, Dr Nejib Ben Khedher, Divisional Senior Vice President Emirates Skywards, said,

‘The UK is one of our top markets and we’re pleased to expand our portfolio to offer millions of members a chance to redeem flight rewards on popular holiday destinations served by Jet2.com. In addition to flight tickets, members can also redeem Miles for meals, extra baggage allowance, preferred seat selection, and more – making it possible to enjoy the perfect start to a holiday, fully covered by Skywards Miles. We’re always looking for new ways to expand our offerings and provide members with the best value, choice, and rewards a loyalty programme can offer.’

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Doug Turner, General Manager of 3rd Party Supply & Distribution at Jet2.com, added,

‘We are very pleased to be partnering with Emirates Skywards, which means we can give even more customers the opportunity to enjoy flights with our award-winning airline. This is a great way for us to continue attracting new customers and we know that our reputation for delivering the very best customer service will be a huge hit with Emirates Skywards members.’

Starting from 8,000 Skywards Miles, including all fees and charges, members can now redeem Miles for flights on Jet2.com. The UK’s third largest airline operates from 14 airport bases, including London Gatwick from March 2026, flying to destinations across Europe, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Canary Islands.

Highlighting the value of this partnership, Emirates Skywards members can earn 18,000 Miles by travelling with Emirates from London to Sydney via Dubai on a roundtrip Premium Economy Flex Plus ticket, which can then be fully redeemed for a Jet2.com roundtrip flight from London Stansted to Majorca. Similarly, members booking two roundtrip Business Class Flex flights with Emirates from Manchester to Dubai can earn 21,000 Miles, redeemable for a Jet2.com roundtrip flight from Manchester to Salzburg for a ski holiday.

Emirates Skywards currently has more than 37 million members worldwide, with its largest membership base in the UK. Members can earn Miles through a wide range of partners, including airline partners such as United, Air Canada, TAP Portugal, and Qantas, as well as hotels, retail, lifestyle brands, and holiday packages.

Recently crowned ‘Best Global Airline Loyalty Program’ at the International Loyalty Awards 2025, Emirates Skywards continues to offer members four tiers of membership, Blue, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, each with exclusive benefits and rewards.

Bookings and redemptions are now open. The number of Miles required for flight rewards will vary based on ticket fares. Terms and conditions apply.

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