United Arab Emirates Struggles To Recover After Heaviest Recorded Rainfall Ever Its Desert Nation

The United Arab Emirates tried to wring itself out Thursday after the heaviest recorded rainfall ever to hit the desert nation, with its main airport allowing more flights even as floodwater still covered portions of major highways and communities.

Dubai International Airport, the world’s busiest for international travel, allowed global carriers on Thursday morning to again fly into Terminal 1 at the airfield. And long-haul carrier Emirates, crucial to East-West travel, began allowing local passengers to arrive at Terminal 3, their base of operations.

However, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths said in an interview with The Associated Press that the airfield needed at least another 24 hours to resume operations close to its usual schedule. Meanwhile, one desert community in Dubai saw floodwaters continue to rise Thursday to as much as 1 meter (3 feet) as civil defense officials struggled to pump out the water.

“We were looking at the radar thinking, ‘Goodness, if this hits, then it’s going to be cataclysmic,’” Griffiths said of the storm. “And indeed it was.”

The airport ended up needing 22 tankers with vacuum pumps to get water off its grounds. Griffiths acknowledged that taxiways flooded during the rains, though the airport’s runways remained free of water to safely operate. Online videos of a FlyDubai flight landing with its reverse thrust spraying out water caught the world’s attention.

“It looks dramatic, but it actually isn’t that dramatic,” Griffiths said.

Emirates, whose operations had been struggling since the storm Tuesday, had stopped travelers flying out of the UAE from checking into their flights as they tried to move out connecting passengers. Pilots and flight crews also had a hard time reaching the airport given the water on roadways.

But on Thursday, Emirates lifted that order to allow customers into the airport. That saw some 2,000 people come into Terminal 3, again sparking long lines, Griffiths said.

Others who arrived at the airport described hourslong waits to get their baggage, with some just giving up to head home or to whatever hotel would have them.

The UAE, a hereditarily ruled, autocratic nation on the Arabian Peninsula, typically sees little rainfall in its arid desert climate. However, a massive storm forecasters had been warning about for days blew through the country’s seven sheikhdoms.

By the end of Tuesday, more than 142 millimeters (5.59 inches) of rainfall had soaked Dubai over 24 hours. An average year sees 94.7 millimeters (3.73 inches) of rain at Dubai International Airport. Other areas of the country saw even more precipitation.

Meanwhile, intense floods also have struck neighboring Oman in recent days. Authorities on Thursday raised the death toll from those storms to at least 21 killed.

The UAE’s drainage systems quickly became overwhelmed Tuesday, flooding out neighborhoods, business districts and even portions of the 12-lane Sheikh Zayed Road highway running through Dubai.

The state-run WAM news agency called the rain “a historic weather event” that surpassed “anything documented since the start of data collection in 1949.”

In a message to the nation late Wednesday, Emirati leader Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the ruler of Abu Dhabi, said authorities would “quickly work on studying the condition of infrastructure throughout the UAE and to limit the damage caused.”

On Thursday, people waded through oil-slicked floodwater to reach cars earlier abandoned, checking to see if their engines still ran. Tanker trucks with vacuums began reaching some areas outside of Dubai’s downtown core for the first time as well. Schools remain closed until next week.

Authorities have offered no overall damage or injury information from the floods, which killed at least one person.

However, at least one community saw the effects of the rainfall only get worse Thursday. Mudon, a development by the state-owned Dubai Properties, saw flooding in one neighborhood reach as much as 1 meter. Civil defense workers tried to pump the water out, but it was a struggle as people waded through the floodwater.

Residents of Mudon, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity given the UAE’s strict laws governing speech, described putting together the equivalent of nearly $2,000 to get a tanker to the community Wednesday. They alleged the developers did nothing to help prior to that, even as they called and emailed. They also said a nearby sewage processing facility failed, bringing more water into their homes.

“A lot of people were in denial of how bad it was,” one homeowner said as civil defense officials waded through the water, bringing bottled water on a raft.

Dubai Holding, a state-owned company that has Dubai Properties as an arm, did not respond to questions. It’s part of a wider nexus that U.S. diplomats have called “Dubai Inc.” — all properties overseen by the city-state’s ruling family.

The flooding sparked speculation that the UAE’s aggressive campaign of cloud seeding — flying small planes through clouds dispersing chemicals aimed at getting rain to fall — may have contributed to the deluge. But experts said the storm systems that produced the rain were forecast well in advance and that cloud seeding alone would not have caused such flooding

Scientists also say climate change is responsible for more intense and more frequent extreme storms, droughts, floods and wildfires around the world. Dubai hosted the United Nations’ COP28 climate talks just last year.

Abu Dhabi’s state-linked newspaper The National in an editorial Thursday described the heavy rains as a warning to countries in the wider Persian Gulf region to “climate-proof their futures.”

“The scale of this task is more daunting than it appears even at first glance, because such changes involve changing the urban environment of a region that for as long as it has been inhabited, has experienced little but heat and sand,” the newspaper said

BY JON GAMBRELL

Lufthansa Business Class Debuts New Culinary Highlights

Board, take off, relax, and enjoy: Lufthansa is continually enhancing its in-flight product to provide a pleasant journey for passengers in all classes. In Business Class, on long-haul flights, new culinary offerings are now available, along with a variety of enhancements that have been, and will be, introduced.

Heiko Reitz, Chief Commercial Officer Lufthansa Airlines, explained: “The entire Lufthansa team is proud to present our new Business Class experience. Our culinary offerings highlight the celebration of German bread culture and the collaboration with traditional brands, such as Ziegler, for the new Lufthansa Aperitif Avionic, underline the timeless elegance of our brand. The other new products that we will soon be introducing in various travel classes are further steps towards our goal of creating a whole new level of excitement for our guests.”

Bread is one of the Germans' favorite foods. There are more than 3,000 different types of bread in Germany and bread culture has been part of the German UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage for ten years. Lufthansa Business Class guests on long-haul flights from Germany can now enjoy bread developed exclusively for Lufthansa by baker-sommelier and World Baker of the Year 2022 Axel Schmitt. The handmade breads, which are only available on board Lufthansa flights from Germany, are baked fresh daily from natural ingredients and do not contain any additives. The Bread is served with homemade butter and high-quality olive oil as an appetizer. For each new quarter, there will be a different type of bread specially created for Lufthansa.

Lufthansa Business Class guests can also look forward to further innovations in the in-flight service on long-haul routes. For example, soon Lufthansa will debut a new signature drink - the Avionic Apéritif. With this, Business Class travelers will have a more varied choice for their welcome drink, with choices ranging from water, sparkling wine or the Avionic Apéritif. All options are served with nuts before take-off. The Avionic Apéritif is a special creation by the Ziegler distillery, developed with Sven Riebel, the Frankfurt bar icon and recently awarded "Host of the Year" by Mixology – Magazin für Barkultur. The drink has a base of peach notes and wild meadow herbs and is mixed on ice with tonic.

Moreover, for the first time ever, Business Class guests will be served a vegetarian amuse-bouche, from antipasti to sushi, as a prelude to the first course. Fresh fruit will also be added to the dessert menu. Additionally, there is a new modular snack offer for those with a smaller appetite, and in between the main services, which varies depending on the length of the route and time of day. This includes snacks, fresh fruit and, on longer flights, fresh salty and sweet treats such as tomato and mozzarella skewers or wraps with pastrami. Beginning in June every passenger will be given a small box of Lindt chocolates in an exclusive Lufthansa design as a farewell gift. Lufthansa Business Class guests will thus be offered an all-around, memorable service, from the welcome moment to the farewell gesture.

Travelore News: US Consumers Sue To Stop Alaska Air, Hawaiian Airlines Merger

Alaska Air opens new tab has been hit with a U.S. consumer lawsuit alleging that the carrier’s proposed $1.9 billion acquisition of rival Hawaiian Airlines opens new tab will lead to higher prices, job layoffs and fewer flights.

The lawsuit was filed, opens new tab on Monday in federal court in Hawaii by eight airline passengers from Hawaii, California and other states. Some of the plaintiffs are former travel agents. The passengers said the Alaska Air deal, announced last year, will unlawfully harm air travel competition in violation of U.S. antitrust law.

“The current trend toward concentration, the lessening of competition and the tendency to create a monopoly in the airlines industry is unmatched, unparalleled, and dangerous,” the lawsuit said.

Alaska Air in a statement called the lawsuit "a normal occurrence in public company mergers" but declined to comment further on the case.

Hawaiian Airlines, which is not a defendant, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Attorney Joseph Alioto, representing the plaintiffs, on Tuesday said the airlines' deal would amount to a “shutdown of competition.” He said “every one of these mega-mergers is a blow to the free enterprise system.”

The lawsuit appears to be the first filed over the proposed deal.

In announcing the Hawaiian acquisition, Alaska Air said the combined company “will unlock more destinations for consumers and expand choice of critical air service options and access throughout the Pacific region.”

The deal is under antitrust review by the U.S. Justice Department. The airlines said in March that they “have been working cooperatively with the DOJ and expect to continue to do so.”

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment on Tuesday.

The Biden-era Justice Department successfully sued to block JetBlue Airways’ $3.8 billion agreement with Spirit Airlines. After a judge blocked the deal, the airlines last month called off the merger.

In another case, American Airlines has asked a U.S. appeals court to reverse a Boston federal judge's decision that its now-scrapped U.S. Northeast partnership with JetBlue was anticompetitive. American Airlines said the ruling threatens other collaborations.

The case is Warren Yoshimoto et al v. Alaska Airlines and Alaska Air Group, U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, No. 1:24-cv-00173.

https://www.reuters.com/authors/mike-scarcella/

Global Wine Tourism Organization Names Viña Santa Rita as the "Best Responsible Wine Tourism Experience" In The World

Best Responsible Wine Tourism one of Chile's most reputable wineries, was recognized as the "Best Responsible Wine Tourism Experience" in the world by the The Global Wine Tourism Organization (GWTO). This outstanding award was granted in recognition of Viña Santa Rita's outstanding application of best practices in competitiveness (competing through collaboration), ethics, accessibility and health prevention during the 1st Global Summit on Responsible Wine Tourism held in Uruguay. The event was attended by representatives from 14 countries and over 300 experts in the field who shared successful case studies from the academic, business, and government sectors, with the aim of recognizing and promoting responsible practices that contribute to environmental conservation, preservation of natural and cultural heritage, and support for local communities.

In addition to Viña Santa Rita, The Global Wine Tourism Organization also distinguished the Montevideo City Hall as National Destination, and Mendoza (Argentina) as International Destination.

The GWTO President, José Antonio Vidal, emphasized the importance of responsible wine tourism as a key factor in generating a positive impact on visited destinations, thus ensuring their enjoyment and benefit for future generations. He added that responsible wine tourism involves making conscious decisions before, during, and after the trip, requiring a collective effort from travelers, local communities, governments, and the tourism industry, supporting responsible wineries and tour operators.

Elena Carretero, Viña Santa Rita's Director of Corporate Affairs, Sustainability, and Tourism, highlighted the importance of responsible wine tourism as a driving force to promote heritage preservation, encourage community participation, educate and raise awareness, as well as to stimulate local development and territorial valorization. "With all these elements, we will contribute to a more balanced and sustainable development of wine regions," says Carretero.

This recognition adds to other previous achievements of Viña Santa Rita, such as the award received last year by the distinguished British wine-focused publication, The Drinks Business, which honored Viña Santa Rita as the "Best Contribution to Wine Tourism." Likewise, in 2022, the winery was awarded "Best Wine Tourism Experience in Chile" at the Chile Wine Tourism Awards 2022, highlighting its exceptional positive impact in the territories where it operates.

About Santa Rita

Founded in 1880 in Alto Jahuel, in the Maipo Valley, Viña Santa Rita is a prominent Chilean winery with a rich 140-year history. It has developed a robust trade spanning over 60 countries across five continents, with special relevance in markets like Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, South Korea, Denmark, the United States, England, Ireland, Japan, and Mexico. With vineyards in Chile's major wine-producing valleys and an annual production exceeding 80 million liters, it produces its wines in historic cellars in Alto Jahuel. This site also houses the founder's mansion, Domingo Fernández Concha, today transformed into the Casa Real Hotel. There you also find the chapel, a 40-hectare centennial park, and Casona Doña Paula Jaraquemada, which now hosts Doña Paula restaurant.

Declared a Historical Monument in 1972, this historical and cultural heritage attracts over 140,000 visitors annually and has been awarded the "Best Wine Tourism Experience in Chile" at the 2022 Wine Tourism Chile Awards. Viña Santa Rita is also distinguished by its robust Sustainability Program, encompassing environmental, social, and economic aspects, aiming to lead sustainable development in winemaking, appealing to consumers worldwide through the experience, innovation, and quality of its brands.

Travelore Tips For Snowbirds Returning To Canada

The Canada Border Services Agency and the Canadian Snowbird Association are encouraging Canadians who have spent the winter abroad to plan ahead for a smooth return to Canada this spring.

These are the top travel tips to know before arriving at the border:

Have your travel documents handy. Whether travelling by land, air or water, you can help speed up processing times by coming prepared with your travel documents.

Driving home? Plan ahead and check border wait times. You can avoid waiting in line by planning your drive to cross the border during non-peak hours such as early morning.

Flying home? Save time with Advance Declaration. Download the application on your smart phone to make your customs declaration up to 72 hours in advance of your arrival into Canada at the Toronto, Vancouver, Montréal, Winnipeg, Halifax, Québec City, Ottawa, Billy Bishop, Calgary and Edmonton international airports. Data shows that using this tool can reduce time at a kiosk or eGate by up to 50%.

Be prepared to declare your goods upon entry into Canada. Gather your receipts for goods purchased or received while away before you travel and keep them readily available. Visit I Declare: A guide for residents returning to Canada and use the CBSA duty and taxes estimator to help calculate your monies owed. You should be aware of everything that is inside your vehicle as you are responsible for its contents.

Know your exemptions from duties and taxes. If you have been outside of Canada seven days or more, you can import goods worth up to CAN$800, duty-and tax-free. Within this personal exemption, you are allowed to bring back duty and tax free:

Two bottles of wine (1.5 litres total), or one large standard bottle of liquor (1.14 litres), or approximately 24 cans or bottles (355 ml each) of beer (8.5 litres total); and, 200 cigarettes, and 50 cigars, and 200 grams manufactured tobacco, and 200 tobacco sticks. The packages must be stamped "duty paid," as you would find them at a duty-free store.

Travelling with medication? If you have a prescription for a narcotic or controlled drug, you must declare it and ensure its in properly labelled container. Learn more about your responsibilities.

Travelling with firearms? If you are travelling with a firearm be sure to check the rules on importing firearms and other restricted and prohibited goods before your departure. Better yet, consider leaving the firearm at home.
Importing a vehicle? If you are a resident of Canada you can temporarily import a vehicle that is licensed and registered in the United States, however, the duty and tax implications, the length of time the vehicle can remain in Canada, and how the vehicle can be used in Canada may differ. If you are permanently importing a vehicle from the U.S. or Mexico, visit Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles website prior to arriving at the border for details about vehicle eligibility and the overall process, including the necessary duties and taxes.

Bringing poultry across the border? Any poultry products you wish to bring into Canada must be for human consumption, retail packaged and labelled as a "Product of the USA." Homemade food or leftovers containing poultry cannot be brought into Canada. Check the latest Information for travellers: Restrictions on poultry and birds from the United States before bringing these products across the border.

Travelling with a pet or importing an animal into Canada? You will need the right paperwork at the border to meet Canada's import requirements.

Not sure? Ask a border officer. The best thing you can do to save time is to be open and honest with the CBSA officer. Be sure to follow all instructions they provide to you. If you are not sure about what to declare, don't hesitate to ask. Our officers are here to help!

Quick facts

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) supports national security and public safety priorities by facilitating the free flow of persons and goods, including animals and plants. The Canadian Snowbird Association is a not-for-profit advocacy organization for travelling Canadians, representing more than 115,000 members.

For more travel tips for Canadian snowbirds, visit the Canadian Snowbird Association website at: https://www.snowbirds.org/

Brazil Again Extends Visa Exemptions For US, Canada And Australia, This Time Until 2025

Brazil’s government extended exemptions to tourist visa requirements for citizens of the U.S., Australia and Canada until April 2025, extending a program aimed at boosting tourism that had been scheduled to end Wednesday.

The decision, issued by Brazilian presidency and the Ministry of Foreign Relations late Tuesday, marks the third time Brazil has delayed the visa requirement since President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva took office in 2023.

His predecessor, Jair Bolsonaro, exempted the countries from visas as a means to boost tourism — although all three countries continued to demand visas from Brazilians.

That went against the South American country’s tradition of requiring visas from travelers based on the principle of reciprocity and equal treatment, and prompted Lula’s Foreign Ministry to say it would scrap the exemptions.

“Brazil does not grant unilateral exemption from visiting visas, without reciprocity, to other countries,” the ministry said at the time, while noting that the government stood ready to negotiate visa waiver agreements on a reciprocal basis. It did reach a deal with Japan to ease travel provisions.

The decision to maintain exemptions for the three countries is important for boosting tourism in Brazil, notably from the U.S., Brazil’s official tourism board Embratur said in a statement Tuesday.

Official data shows that nearly 670,000 Americans visited Brazil in 2023, making the U.S. the second largest country of origin after neighboring Argentina.

The government initially postponed the reinstatement of the visa requirement in October, then again in January. At the time, the government said it was still finalizing a new visa system and wanted to avoid implementing it close to the high season, mainly during the New Year’s celebrations and Carnival festivities in February, which attract tens of thousands of tourists.

BY GABRIELA SÁ PESSOA, AP.

Travelore News: Lufthansa Agrees Pay Rise With Flight Attendants After strike

Lufthansa opens new tab and the flight attendants' union UFO have agreed a pay rise for the German airline's 19,000 cabin staff, the union said on Thursday, ending the threat of strikes after wage disputes in the industry had upended travel for thousands.

Employees will receive a 16.5% total pay rise in three stages, retroactively from Jan. 1, as well as an inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros ($3,220.50) and an increase in other allowances. The agreement runs until the end of 2026.

Lufthansa also recently reached wage agreements with trade union Verdi for its ground staff, with no further industrial action expected.

The cabin crew union members held a strike earlier this month to press their demands for higher pay, affecting tens of thousands of passengers, according to Lufthansa.

Two collective bargaining rounds for cabin crew at Lufthansa subsidiary Discover Airlines and its regional Cityline airline are still ongoing in Germany, but according to UFO, the two sides are moving towards an agreement.

Reporting by Ilona Wissenbach, Editing by Rachel More, Reuters.