flynas Launches First Direct Route Between Madinah and Baghdad, Expanding Saudi–Iraq Connectivity
flynas has launched its first direct flights between Madinah and Baghdad, strengthening Saudi–Iraq connectivity and supporting the Kingdom’s aviation growth plans.
flynas has launched its first direct flight between Madinah and Baghdad, marking a major milestone in the airline’s expanding network across the Middle East. The inaugural service, celebrated at Prince Mohammad bin Abdulaziz International Airport, underscores the carrier’s strategy to enhance connectivity between Saudi Arabia and Iraq while supporting national aviation goals.
The new route will operate twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, from flynas’ newest operational base in Madinah. This expansion aligns with the airline’s long-term strategy, “We Connect the World to the Kingdom,” as well as the National Civil Aviation Strategy, which aims to link Saudi Arabia with 250 global destinations and serve 330 million passengers annually by 2030. The route also supports the Pilgrims Experience Program, improving access to the Two Holy Mosques for travelers flying through the region.
The milestone further strengthens flynas’ presence in Iraq, where the carrier already operates four weekly flights between Dammam and Najaf, as well as a daily direct flight between Jeddah and Baghdad. Notably, flynas was the first Saudi airline to restore flights between the two nations in 2017 after a 27-year pause. The addition of Madinah–Baghdad flights deepens economic, cultural, and religious ties and offers more seamless travel options for business travelers, families, and pilgrims.
During the launch ceremony, representatives from flynas and Tibah Airports Operation Company welcomed passengers with celebratory giveaways, reflecting the importance of the new link. The direct route simplifies travel between the two countries at a time of increasing demand for accessible and affordable regional connectivity.
Passengers can book flights through the flynas website, app, call center, or via travel agents. As the airline continues to expand its route network, more travelers will benefit from enhanced access across the Middle East, reinforcing flynas’ role as one of the region’s leading low-cost carriers.
Yuliya is the Editor in Chief at TravelCapybara, where she turns her lifelong love of travel into sharp, engaging stories across topics like travel news, aviation, hospitality, migration, and tourism tech. A mom of two, she balances parenting with a passion for exploring Europe’s small towns - though she’ll never say no to Paris. From startup coverage to short-term rentals and cruise trends, Yuliya writes with curiosity, clarity, and a traveler’s heart.
Viking Suspends Nile River Cruises as Egypt Travel Disruptions Grow
Viking has canceled Nile River cruises through March as regional conflict escalates, with other river lines also pausing Egypt and Middle East operations.
Viking has canceled its Nile River cruises in Egypt through the end of March as conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran intensifies across the region. The company said it is arranging transportation for guests currently in Egypt and will suspend sailings temporarily.
Other river cruise operators are also scaling back. Avalon Waterways has ceased Egypt operations for the month, affecting its single Nile-based ship, the Farah. Tauck suspended its Egypt land tours, including river cruise segments, with select itineraries tentatively set to resume after mid-March. AmaWaterways paused its Jordan land extensions and Dubai programs through March 31, though it plans to continue its Nile sailings for now, offering penalty-free rebooking options to guests who prefer to postpone.
The pullback follows heightened travel warnings from the U.S. State Department, which advised Americans to leave several countries in the region, including Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, Jordan and Kuwait.
For Viking, Egypt accounts for roughly 2% of overall capacity, though the company has been expanding aggressively on the Nile and previously announced plans to operate up to a dozen ships there next year. The suspension highlights how geopolitical tensions can quickly affect specialized travel sectors such as river cruising, even in destinations that saw strong tourism growth in recent years.
Yuliya is the Editor in Chief at TravelCapybara, where she turns her lifelong love of travel into sharp, engaging stories across topics like travel news, aviation, hospitality, migration, and tourism tech. A mom of two, she balances parenting with a passion for exploring Europe’s small towns - though she’ll never say no to Paris. From startup coverage to short-term rentals and cruise trends, Yuliya writes with curiosity, clarity, and a traveler’s heart.
Travel Agent Academy (TAA) is rolling out its Spring Learning Challenge, running from March 1 through April 30, aimed at encouraging advisors to deepen their expertise while competing for prizes.
During the promotion, each completed course earns one entry into a drawing for one of five $100 gift cards. The more courses advisors finish, the more chances they have to win. Five winners will be selected at the conclusion of the challenge.
Beyond the incentive of gift cards, TAA emphasizes the long-term value of professional development. Advisors who complete courses can earn Specialist badges, which can be displayed in email signatures or on social media profiles to strengthen credibility and visibility with clients. Certifications and supplier-focused training modules are designed to enhance product knowledge and boost sales confidence.
Melanie Ruiz, a travel advisor at Escapes.ca, described the platform as a practical and flexible tool for staying competitive. She noted that the concise, engaging lessons fit easily into a busy schedule while providing meaningful professional benefits.
Karina Nascimento, Director of Education Programs at Studio90, part of Northstar Travel Group, said the challenge aligns with the academy’s mission to equip advisors with knowledge and confidence. By tying rewards to education, the initiative aims to help advisors expand their expertise, enhance their professional profiles and ultimately grow sales.
Yuliya is the Editor in Chief at TravelCapybara, where she turns her lifelong love of travel into sharp, engaging stories across topics like travel news, aviation, hospitality, migration, and tourism tech. A mom of two, she balances parenting with a passion for exploring Europe’s small towns - though she’ll never say no to Paris. From startup coverage to short-term rentals and cruise trends, Yuliya writes with curiosity, clarity, and a traveler’s heart.
Burj Al Arab was damaged after Iranian drone and missile attacks struck parts of the Gulf for a second consecutive day, sending shockwaves through one of the world’s busiest tourism hubs. Authorities said debris from an intercepted drone sparked a fire at the landmark hotel, which was later brought under control.
The incident follows escalating hostilities between Iran, the United States and Israel. Iranian forces reportedly launched drones and missiles toward multiple regional targets, including locations in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates.
Nearby, Fairmont The Palm in the Palm Jumeirah district was also struck, with four people injured. Dubai Civil Defence confirmed the fire at the property was contained and the injured were transferred to medical facilities.
Regional airspace disruptions followed, with several Gulf countries temporarily suspending or restricting flights. Dubai, a global aviation and tourism crossroads, is closely monitoring the situation as airlines adjust schedules and travelers face potential delays or reroutings.
Elsewhere in the region, strikes were reported against residential and military-linked sites in Bahrain, while missile activity extended toward Israel and other Gulf states. Although many projectiles were intercepted, the incidents highlight how quickly geopolitical tensions can impact major travel destinations.
For the travel industry, the events underscore the vulnerability of high-profile tourism infrastructure during periods of heightened regional instability, particularly in destinations that serve as international transit and hospitality hubs.
Yuliya is the Editor in Chief at TravelCapybara, where she turns her lifelong love of travel into sharp, engaging stories across topics like travel news, aviation, hospitality, migration, and tourism tech. A mom of two, she balances parenting with a passion for exploring Europe’s small towns - though she’ll never say no to Paris. From startup coverage to short-term rentals and cruise trends, Yuliya writes with curiosity, clarity, and a traveler’s heart.
Dubai’s Fairmont The Palm Damaged Amid Regional Missile Strikes
Fairmont The Palm in Dubai was damaged during Iranian retaliatory strikes in the region, with four people injured as tensions escalate across the Middle East.
Fairmont The Palm in Dubai was damaged following retaliatory strikes launched by Iran amid escalating regional tensions. Authorities confirmed that four people were injured in a fire at the hotel in the Palm Jumeirah area. The blaze has since been brought under control.
The incident comes as Iran launched a series of counterattacks targeting the United States and Israel, following what U.S. President Donald Trump described as “major combat operations” in Iran. Iranian forces reportedly fired drones and missiles toward Israel and at U.S. military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
Regional fallout has extended beyond the immediate targets. Saudi Arabia reported repelling attacks on its capital and eastern region, while air raid sirens sounded in Jordan. In northern Israel, an apartment building sustained damage and shrapnel was reported at multiple sites.
The U.S. military said it suffered no casualties and only minimal damage at its bases despite what it described as hundreds of Iranian missile and drone attacks. Israeli defense officials stated that dozens of missiles were fired, with many intercepted, though barrages continued into the evening.
The strike affecting a major Dubai hotel underscores how rapidly escalating geopolitical tensions can impact global travel hubs. Dubai is one of the Middle East’s busiest tourism and aviation centers, and developments are likely to be closely monitored by airlines, hotels and travelers across the region.
Yuliya is the Editor in Chief at TravelCapybara, where she turns her lifelong love of travel into sharp, engaging stories across topics like travel news, aviation, hospitality, migration, and tourism tech. A mom of two, she balances parenting with a passion for exploring Europe’s small towns - though she’ll never say no to Paris. From startup coverage to short-term rentals and cruise trends, Yuliya writes with curiosity, clarity, and a traveler’s heart.
Azamara Cruises has announced the creation of a new travel advisor advisory council designed to provide direct feedback and strategic insight to the cruise line.
The council will consist of 10 travel advisors from the United States and Canada, each serving a one-year term. Members will be selected by Azamara’s sales managers and must bring at least five years of cruise-focused experience. Eligibility also requires that advisors have both sailed with and actively sold Azamara, ensuring participants have firsthand knowledge of the brand and its product.
According to the cruise line, the council’s role will be to share perspectives that help shape future programs, sales tools and advisor-facing initiatives, while also enhancing the overall guest experience. The move reflects a broader industry trend of cruise lines deepening collaboration with travel advisors, who remain a key distribution channel for premium and small-ship cruise products.
By formalizing this advisory structure, Azamara aims to strengthen its relationship with the trade community and ensure that frontline advisor insights are incorporated into product development, marketing strategies and support systems.
The initiative underscores the cruise line’s continued investment in the advisor channel as it looks to drive sales growth and brand loyalty in a competitive cruise market.
Yuliya is the Editor in Chief at TravelCapybara, where she turns her lifelong love of travel into sharp, engaging stories across topics like travel news, aviation, hospitality, migration, and tourism tech. A mom of two, she balances parenting with a passion for exploring Europe’s small towns - though she’ll never say no to Paris. From startup coverage to short-term rentals and cruise trends, Yuliya writes with curiosity, clarity, and a traveler’s heart.
