Turkish Airlines has resumed flights to Abu Dhabi as part of its phased restoration of services across the Middle East following a temporary suspension. The Istanbul-based carrier restarted its Abu Dhabi operations on July 1 and has announced that flights to Dammam will resume on July 10, Kuwait on July 11, and Bahrain on July 16.

The airline had already restarted flights to Dubai on June 9, giving travellers from the UAE more opportunities to connect through Istanbul to its extensive global network.

As part of the expansion, Turkish Airlines has doubled its Dubai operations from seven to 14 weekly flights, effective June 25. It has also increased the frequency of flights to Amman from 14 to 21 weekly services from June 19, while Beirut services have grown from 21 to 28 weekly flights from July 1.

The airline said these resumptions and additional frequencies will strengthen connectivity between the Middle East and its global network. Turkish Airlines currently flies to more than 350 destinations across Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Americas.

The Abu Dhabi service operates as flight TK 868, departing Istanbul at 6:45 pm and arriving in Abu Dhabi at 12:25 am on selected days. The return flight, TK 869, departs Abu Dhabi at 1:30 am and reaches Istanbul at 5:25 am.

The resumed Dammam service will depart Istanbul at 8:15 pm and arrive at 12:15 am, with the return flight leaving Dammam at 1:15 am and arriving in Istanbul at 5:30 am.

Flights to Kuwait will depart Istanbul at 2:00 am and arrive at 5:40 am, while the return service leaves Kuwait at 6:35 am and reaches Istanbul at 10:25 am. Bahrain services will depart Istanbul at 8:15 pm and arrive at 12:10 am, with the return flight leaving Bahrain at 1:15 am and arriving in Istanbul at 5:30 am.

Passengers are advised to check the latest flight schedules and travel requirements through Turkish Airlines' official channels before planning their journey.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 continued to deliver exciting action as Portugal booked its place in the Round of 16 with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia in the Round of 32. Portugal came from behind to seal the win and will now face Spain in the next stage of the tournament. 

In other Round of 32 fixtures, Spain produced a commanding 3-0 win over Austria, while the USA defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 to progress. Switzerland also secured a 2-0 victory over Algeria, completing another successful day of knockout football. 

Away from the action on the pitch, the Mexico City Stadium has become one of the standout attractions of the tournament following the completion of an extensive renovation of its hospitality and food and beverage spaces. The historic venue, famous for hosting the 1968 Olympics and the 1970 and 1986 FIFA World Cups, has been transformed through a 15,000-square-metre interior redevelopment led by a team of Mexican design studios. 

The renovation has been guided by three key principles: preserving the stadium's historic identity, reinterpreting Mexican modernist design, and creating a unified design language through collaboration among the participating architects.

Across the hospitality areas, visitors are welcomed into interiors organised with a colour palette of green, terracotta, blue, and yellow, helping guests navigate different zones. The upgraded spaces include new reception areas, lounges, bars, premium suites, and enhanced food and beverage outlets. Materials such as wood, steel, and carefully designed ceiling systems create a modern atmosphere while respecting the stadium's rich heritage.

The project reflects how iconic sporting venues can embrace modern hospitality without losing their historical character. As the FIFA World Cup continues across North America, the renovated Mexico City Stadium stands as a strong example of how infrastructure upgrades can improve the fan experience while preserving the legacy of one of football's most celebrated stadiums. 

Global Hotel Alliance (GHA), the world’s largest alliance of independent hotel brands, has expanded its GHA DISCOVERY loyalty programme with a new partnership with City Unscripted, strengthening its focus on personalised and experience-led travel.

The collaboration introduces a new category under GHA DISCOVERY Experiences — Local City Tours — designed to help travellers explore destinations in a more immersive and locally guided way. The move aligns with GHA’s “Live Local” concept, which encourages deeper engagement with cities beyond traditional tourism.

Through City Unscripted, travellers are paired with local hosts who tailor experiences based on individual interests such as food, culture, neighbourhood life, design, history, and hidden gems. Each experience is flexible and customised, offering a more personal alternative to standard guided tours.

The programme is currently available in 15 global cities, including Berlin, London, Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, Dubai, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, Sydney, Madrid, Mexico City, Lisbon, Hong Kong, and Munich. These experiences combine iconic landmarks with lesser-known local spots, giving travellers a more authentic understanding of each destination.

As part of the partnership, GHA DISCOVERY members receive a 20% discount on City Unscripted experiences booked through the GHA website or mobile app. Additional benefits include priority matching with local hosts and a complimentary 30-minute pre-trip consultation to personalise the itinerary.

According to Jelena Kezika, VP Strategy at Global Hotel Alliance, the shift reflects a growing demand for meaningful travel experiences that help travellers build stronger connections with destinations and cultures.

Beyond this partnership, GHA DISCOVERY continues to offer more than 2,500 local experiences worldwide, including dining, spa, cultural activities, day-use stays, golf, and work-from-hotel options, many of which are available even without an overnight stay.

The alliance noted that dining remains the most popular category, followed by spa and wellness experiences, highlighting the growing trend of lifestyle-driven engagement with hotel brands.

Through this expansion, GHA reinforces its position in the evolving travel landscape, where loyalty programmes are increasingly focused on personalised, flexible, and immersive experiences rather than traditional stay-based rewards.