The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi has proudly introduced two African Manatees to their new home, marking a significant milestone as the first ambassadors for their species in the region. Known for their rarity, these gentle giants are now residing in a meticulously designed environment, closely resembling their natural habitat in Africa.

Hailing from an aquarium in Seoul, Korea, the transfer journey of these two male Manatees was meticulously orchestrated with a dedicated team of specialists ensuring their safety and well-being every step of the way. This commitment underscores Abu Dhabi’s National Aquarium’s adherence to international safety standards and protocols.

Beyond their role as species ambassadors, these Manatees are poised to capture the hearts of visitors with their gentle nature and captivating behavior. Their presence offers a unique opportunity for the public to connect with marine life and underscores the importance of conservation efforts.

In line with its mission to promote marine conservation, the National Aquarium Abu Dhabi has not only provided a nurturing environment for the Manatees but has also contributed generously to conservation projects aimed at preserving manatees in West Africa. Financial contributions are complemented by educational programs designed to raise awareness about marine conservation.

Paul Robert Hamilton, General Manager of The National Aquarium, emphasized the institution’s commitment to following international standards, ensuring the safety and well-being of the Manatees. He highlighted ongoing research efforts aimed at understanding and conserving African manatees, crucial for developing effective conservation strategies.

Collaborations with organizations like the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and the African Aquatic Conservation Fund underscore the shared commitment towards protecting marine life. Lucy Keith-Diagne, Executive Director of the African Aquatic Conservation Fund, expressed optimism about the partnership’s positive outcomes for marine ecosystems.

The National Aquarium Abu Dhabi invites the public to witness the beauty of these Manatees from the first day of Eid Al Fitr, emphasizing the importance of fostering a sustainable future for our oceans and the pivotal role individuals can play in conservation efforts.

Dubai’s leading airline, Emirates, has announced a significant expansion in flight schedules across the region in anticipation of the upcoming Eid Al Fitr celebrations. With more than 150,000 travelers expected to fly with Emirates during this period, the carrier is gearing up to meet the surge in demand.

To accommodate the influx of passengers, Emirates will be adding 19 additional flights to its schedules. Specifically, the airline will enhance its services to destinations including Jeddah, Kuwait, Beirut, and Amman.

For travelers heading to Jeddah, Emirates will introduce an extra seven flights from April 7 to 13, providing convenient connections to various destinations such as London, the Maldives, Colombo, and Karachi.

In Kuwait, Emirates will boost its services with six additional flights between April 7 and 20, catering to the heightened demand for travel to popular leisure destinations like Dubai, Bangkok, and Osaka, as well as facilitating travel to cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad, Sialkot, and Peshawar.

Furthermore, Emirates will expand its flight schedule to Bahrain, offering 22 weekly flights starting May 2, in response to increased travel demand to and from the kingdom.

As families come together to celebrate Eid Al Fitr, Emirates will also increase its services to Amman and Beirut with four and two additional flights respectively, ensuring smoother travel for passengers.

Passengers flying onboard Emirates during Eid Al Fitr can look forward to a specially curated Eid menu featuring a variety of savory and sweet dishes. From chicken biryani and lamb kibbeh labanieh to machbous and vanilla and rose mousse cake, travelers will be treated to a delightful culinary experience.

The 14th group of wounded Palestinian children and cancer patients arrived in the UAE on Wednesday in line with President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s directive to offer medical treatment for 1,000 injured children and 1,000 cancer patients from Gaza in UAE hospitals.

Departing from Al Arish International Airport, the plane landed at Abu Dhabi International Airport with 32 Palestinians accompanied by 64 family members. Expressing profound gratitude, families hailed the UAE’s significant humanitarian assistance, aimed at easing the plight of the Palestinian people.

Upon arrival, medical teams swiftly transported patients to hospitals for immediate care, while companions were taken to Emirates Humanitarian City for accommodation.

Since the crisis’s onset, the UAE has steadfastly supported Gaza, launching “Operation Gallant Knight 3” in November 2023 to provide humanitarian assistance. The country established a 150-bed field hospital in Gaza and a Floating Hospital in Al Arish port, equipped with essential medical facilities.

Additionally, the UAE launched six desalination plants in Rafah, Egypt, addressing Gaza’s water infrastructure challenges. The ‘Tarahum — for Gaza’ campaign was implemented to provide relief aid to those affected by the war, targeting vulnerable groups.

Louvre Abu Dhabi, the renowned cultural institution, has celebrated a significant achievement, surpassing five million visitors since its inauguration on March 19, 2024. This milestone further cements its status as a global landmark of cultural distinction.

Various factors have contributed to this remarkable feat, including notable exhibitions enriching the museum’s permanent collection, increased footfall at the Children’s Museum, and unprecedented engagement with educational programs offered by Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Additionally, outdoor activities and activations held on the museum premises played a pivotal role, contributing 10 percent to the total visitor count.

International visitors constituted a majority, representing 72 percent of footfall, with significant numbers hailing from key growth markets such as Russia, India, France, the USA, China, Germany, Italy, Kazakhstan, and the UK. Residents of the UAE accounted for the remaining 28 percent of visitors. The museum also had the honor of hosting visits by more than 500 officials and dignitaries, including Heads of State, ministers, ambassadors, internationally recognized artists, and celebrities.

Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of the Department of Culture and Tourism — Abu Dhabi, expressed pride in the museum’s impact over its six years of operation, highlighting its role in providing exceptional cultural experiences.

Manuel Rabaté, Director of Louvre Abu Dhabi, reflected on the museum’s significance in showcasing Abu Dhabi’s rich cultural landscape through collaboration and intercultural dialogue. He emphasized the institution’s commitment to excellence in the global cultural sphere, as evidenced by the increasing visitor numbers and unique storytelling approach.

An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft bound for Dubai faced an unexpected halt at Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) on March 27 after sustaining significant damage in a collision with a ground vehicle. The incident occurred as the aircraft, scheduled to operate flight EK134, was preparing for departure at 16:35 local time, with an intended arrival in Dubai at 23:15.

Social media images depict a yellow ground vehicle lodged beneath the superjumbo, causing substantial damage to its underbelly. The extent of structural harm suggests a prolonged stay in Moscow for repair, with the cancellation of the Dubai-bound flight. Fortunately, no injuries to passengers have been reported.

Emirates, contacted for comment by Simple Flying, is yet to respond, and updates will follow upon their statement.

The involved aircraft, registered as A6-EDM, is nearly 14 years old and can accommodate 489 passengers across three cabins. With close to 46,000 flight hours and over 5,600 flight cycles, the duration of its stay in Moscow for repairs remains uncertain.

Emirates, renowned for its extensive A380 operations, boasts 119 superjumbos in its fleet, of which 90 are actively serving. The airline utilizes various configurations, including a high-density, two-class setup seating up to 615 passengers. Despite occasional setbacks like this, the A380 continues to be a flagship aircraft for Emirates, serving prominent global routes.

Collisions between ground vehicles and aircraft, while infrequent, are not unprecedented in the aviation industry. Similar incidents have occurred previously, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in airport operations.

Families are invited to experience the excitement at MOTIONGATETM Dubai, the largest Hollywood inspired theme park in the region. With 29 exhilarating rides, attractions, and entertainment, visitors can take advantage of the latest offer; buy 4 tickets for the price of 3 for AED 885 and get 25% off on a bundle deal available from 15th March!

To keep the little ones entertained, each zone promises excitement and an array of adventures. In the DreamWorks Zone, brace for a wild ride on the Madagascar Mad Pursuit and take flight with Toothless on the Dragon Gliders. Meanwhile, the Lionsgate Zone offers pulse-pounding thrills with the Now You See Me: High Roller and a tribute to Hunger Games fans on the Capitol Bullet Train. Over in the Columbia Pictures Zone, embark on heart-racing experiences such as The Green Hornet: High Speed Chase or delve into supernatural battles with the Ghostbusters. Smurfs Village Zone awaits junior adventures, featuring whimsical attractions like the Smurf Village Express and tailored interactive play zones.

For something more relaxing, families are welcome to enjoy the crowd-favourite live stage show ‘Illuminate’, featuring breathtaking acrobatic performances and stunning visual effects that transport guests into a world of wonder. Studio Central hosts captivating street shows every Tuesday to Sunday, offering an immersive experience of New York City and Hollywood’s glamour. Guests can also enjoy meet and greets with beloved characters like Po, Shrek, and Toothless at the themed zones at MOTIONGATETM Dubai.

The park is open from 11 am to 8 pm from Sunday to Thursday and from 11 am to 9 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Tickets and showtimes are available for purchase on the park’s website or at the counter. For more information, please call 800-AMAZING (2629464).

Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, announced today the development of two beaches at Yas Bay Waterfront, Abu Dhabi’s vibrant day-to-night destination on Yas Island. Complementing the existing lifestyle and leisure offerings at the destination, the beaches will span a length of 280 meters each and a combined total of 560 meters.

Located on the west side of the pier, the West Beach has been designed as a family destination and will feature beachside play areas for children, world-class dining outlets, food trucks, pedestrian walkways, as well as rest and recreation facilities. East Beach, located on the east side of the pier and just across the award-winning Etihad Arena, will feature outdoor fitness spaces and sports zones for beach football and volleyball. Open seating areas, coupled with a sunset lounge, will allow visitors to experience a variety of sports, entertainment, and music events.

Jonathan Brown, Chief Portfolio Officer, Miral, said: “We are pleased to enhance our leisure and lifestyle offerings at Yas Bay Waterfront with the announcement of two beach developments. These upcoming experiences are an extension of our vision to enrich the diverse and unique experiences available to visitors on Yas Island, positioning it as a top global destination for leisure and entertainment while further contributing to Abu Dhabi’s wider tourism growth.”

The beaches will serve as an exciting addition to iconic leisure and lifestyle experiences at Yas Bay Waterfront, home to over 20 al fresco restaurants and cafés, world-class nightlife concepts, a floating beach club, an award-winning concert arena, luxury hotels, and an expansive promenade. Both developments will be located minutes-away from Yas Island’s award-winning attractions and experiences, including SeaWorld® Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Ferrari World Yas Island, Abu Dhabi; Warner Bros. World™ Abu Dhabi; CLYMB™ Abu Dhabi; Yas Waterworld Abu Dhabi; and Yas Marina.