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Etihad Airways Launches Loyalty Partnership with Vietnam Airlines


ETIHAD Airways, the national airline of the UAE, and Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier of Vietnam, have signed a frequent flyer partnership agreement to


allow loyalty members of


airline to earn and redeem miles across both networks.


This partnership is a demonstration of the commitment established by both carriers signing a Memorandum of Understanding in October last year and reflects the initial phase of expanded cooperation. The MoU was designed to strengthen ties between the airlines and formalised a commitment to explore further collaboration for both Etihad and Vietnam Airlines’ customers. Etihad will begin flights to Hanoi in November as one of 16 new destinations the airline is launching this year. The inaugural will create a new bridge between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates and offer more value to loyalty members of both airlines.


TSA Ends Airport


Shoe Removal Rule IN A landmark shift in US airport security, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has officially ended its controversial policy requiring passengers to remove their shoes at checkpoints. Previously, only TSA PreCheck members were permitted to keep their shoes on, a privilege that is now being extended to the general public. However, travellers must carry a federally approved REAL ID or a valid passport to be eligible for this relaxed procedure.


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Big News for EU Travel: Bulgaria Joins the Eurozone in 2026


BULGARIA is set to officially adopt the euro in 2026, becoming the 21st member of the eurozone following unanimous approval from European Union finance ministers.


The decision


marks a major economic milestone nearly two decades after Bulgaria joined the EU in 2007, and could reshape travel experiences for Northern Irish visitors to the Balkan region. The European Central


Bank (ECB) and European Commission


confirmed


that Bulgaria now meets all necessary criteria to join the euro area, including inflation control, budget discipline, and currency stability. Finance ministers also finalised the exchange rate for the transition, preserving the current lev-euro peg. For travellers from Northern Ireland and across the UK, the switch promises simplified currency exchange and potentially greater pricing transparency when visiting Bulgarian destinations like Sofia,


Plovdiv, and the Black Sea coast. However, the domestic response in Bulgaria has been mixed.


Thousands took to the streets to protest the change, with concerns over inflation and national identity leading to heightened tensions and at least one arrest during demonstrations. Despite the pushback, Sofia’s


government


maintains that adopting the euro will help elevate Bulgaria’s


economic


standing, the lowest in the EU,


and create stronger


investment opportunities, including in tourism and infrastructure.Bulgaria will be only the second country to enter the eurozone in over a decade, following Croatia’s adoption in 2023. While euro adoption is a requirement for all EU members, countries like Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic have resisted the move, choosing to retain their national currencies. The upcoming transition will also mark the end of Bulgaria’s currency board


EasyJet Launch New ‘Airplane Mode’ Initiative


IKOS Resorts has announced the launch of its first property on the iconic Greek island of Crete: Ikos Kissamos, set to welcome guests from April 2026. This exciting addition expands the brand’s award-winning portfolio to eight luxury all-inclusive resorts in Greece and Spain, each located in breathtaking beachfront destinations across the Mediterranean. A full decade has passed since the opening of the first Ikos resort - a decade in which the Greek-born brand has firmly established itself as a pioneer in the luxury all- inclusive market. Ikos Kissamos marks the most significant


luxury


hotel development on Crete, further cementing the group’s leadership in Mediterranean hospitality. The project is poised to bring economic growth for the region, blending Ikos exceptional design, elevated service, and sustainable development. Located in the region of Chania, just 45 minutes from the airport, Ikos Kissamos is nestled along the pristine shores of Kissamos Bay. Surrounded by rolling sand dunes and lush gardens, the resort unfolds as a serene eco-retreat, immersed in Crete’s stunning natural


Drawing inspiration from the island’s rich heritage, ancient Minoan motifs, and the rhythmic lull of the Aegean, indoor and outdoor spaces flow seamlessly, creating a sanctuary where every space invites connection, reflection, and delight. With


system, a legacy from the post-Soviet economic crisis that pegged the lev to the


German mark and later the euro to fight hyperinflation.


September/October 2025


LAUNCHING a new initiative to help families reconnect this summer, easyJet has joining forces with writer, activist, presenter and mum Katie Piper and child development expert Tanith Carey to launch ‘Airplane Mode.’


This new initiative


includes a holiday card game to get families talking from the moment they start


their holiday and


help combat the issues that matter to young people and parents today. The survey of 2,000 British parents and children aged 11 to 17 commissioned


Ikos Resorts Expands into Crete with Ambitios Luxury Ikos Kissamos Development beauty.


Mediterranean warmth. The soothing colour palette of warm neutral tones is embellished with natural materials such as wood, fibre, and stone, creating a tranquil, organic retreat. Accents of terracotta and olive further evoke the vibrant spirit of Crete. Notable nearby attractions include the breathtaking Balos Lagoon beach, Elafonisi beach and the ancient port of Falasarna - both consistently ranked among the best beaches in Europe by leading travel publications and beloved by visitors, for their crystal- clear waters


414 elegantly appointed rooms and suites, Ikos Kissamos is surrounded by turquoise sea, blooming gardens, or private pools, completing a retreat defined by beauty, harmony, and understated sophistication. The architectural design draws inspiration


from the island’s rich heritage, blending contemporary relaxed luxury with authentic


and dramatic landscapes -as well as Samaria Gorge, one of Europe’s premier hiking destinations. In line with Ikos’ strong sustainability commitment and efforts to preserve the surrounding environment, the landscape design of Ikos Kissamos has been carefully crafted to blend seamlessly with the region’s


natural beauty. The resort welcomes guests to an immersive landscape designed not simply to be seen, but to be lived. From lavender mazes alive with butterflies to shaded olive groves where families gather under ancient trees, the landscape is a quiet celebration of the island’s rich heritage.


Etihad Airways Announces Magnificent Seven New Destinations


ETIHAD Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has announced seven additional new destinations to further expand its network as part of its ongoing strategy to bring more point-to-point traffic directly to Abu Dhabi. The new destinations – Almaty, Kazakhstan; Baku,


Azerbaijan;


Bucharest, Romania; Medina, Saudi Arabia; Tbilisi,


Georgia; Tashkent,


Uzbekistan; and Yerevan, Armenia – will further strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a thriving hub for tourism, culture, and commerce. Services will begin in March 2026,


with Medina to start operating in November 2025.


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