Those arriving, departing or transiting through Hamad International Airport (HIA) can also enjoy up to 25 per cent off on Al Maha Service, Qatar Airways’ personalised meet and assist service.

This year’s ‘Summer in Qatar’ programme introduces a wide range of exciting indoor activities and outdoor experiences, fun for family and friends. Entertainment programs will feature regional and international artists, edutainment, sports camps and special promotions on inbound travel, hospitality and shopping. Nine world-class malls across Doha will be participating in the festivities, offering retail savings of up to 70 per cent, and a chance to win up to USD $2 million in prizes, including the grand prize of a McLaren 570S. To learn more about ‘Summer in Qatar’ events, please visit www.SummerInQatar.qa

Qatar Museums will offer authentic experiences, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in Qatar’s rich heritage and cultural scene. Souq Waqif and Katara Cultural Village will bring vibrancy to the summer with family fun and entertainment shows during both Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha.

Music enthusiasts can mark their calendars as celebrated names are set to rock Summer in Qatar. These include international and Arab artists as well as a number of Bollywood singers performing at the Bollywood Musical Festival. Movie buffs will have a chance to attend the glittering South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA). Comedy fans can anticipate the return of the Doha Comedy Festival, while the little ones will enjoy numerous stage shows including ‘Hello Kitty’, ‘Aladdin’, ‘The Little Mermaid’ and ‘The Smurfs’. 

In addition, passengers already booked on Qatar Airways flights can also take advantage of a unique stopover package designed to give travellers transiting through Qatar the opportunity to discover Doha with amazing luxury hotel stays and complimentary transit visas.

Qatar Airways currently operates a modern fleet of more than 250 aircraft via its hub, Hamad International Airport (HIA) to more than 160 destinations worldwide. HIA has recently been ranked as fourth best airport in the world at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2019. Additionally, the airport has been ranked as a five-star Airport and was honoured with the title of ‘Best Airport in the Middle East’ for the fifth year in a row and ‘Best Staff Service in the Middle East’ for the fourth year in a row.

A multiple award-winning airline, Qatar Airways was named ‘World’s Best Business Class’ by the 2018 World Airline Awards, managed by international air transport rating organisation Skytrax. It was also named ‘Best Business Class Seat’, ‘Best Airline in the Middle East’, and ‘World’s Best First Class Airline Lounge’.

Qatar Airways will add a number of other new destinations to its extensive route network in 2019, including Izmir, Turkey; Rabat, Morocco; Malta; Davao, Philippines; Lisbon, Portugal; Mogadishu, Somalia and Langkawi, Malaysia.

Under the rules, announced earlier this year, the residency visa for widows and divorced women and their children will be extended for a year without a sponsor starting from the date of the death of the husband or the date of the divorce.

Residency visas of students sponsored by their parents will also be renewed for a year after they complete their university or high school or on reaching the age of 18. This will further be renewable for another 12 months.

Meanwhile, those on a visit or tourist visas will be granted an extension of up to 60 days (30-day visa extension twice) without having to leave the country.

However, Brigadier Saeed Rakan Al Rashidi, acting director-general of the Foreigners Affairs and Ports Department at the ICS cautioned that the new visa rules will be subject to conditions and regulations, official news agency WAM reported.

“The widow or divorced woman and their children must have had their residency visas sponsored by the deceased or former husband at the time of death or divorce,” he said.

He also clarified that residency visas should be valid at the time of death or divorce and that the children’s residency period does not exceed that of the mother.

Brigadier Al Rashidi also emphasised that the woman must have the financial ability to support the family.

He clarified that the ICA will collect fees for the services.

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Effective immediately, customers will be able to book and manage Etihad’s chauffeur services directly through the airline’s upgraded mobile optimised website.

Customers can now book and confirm their chauffeur service up to 12 hours prior to their flight’s departure. The new system, created in partnership with Vxceed Technologies, also allows guests to amend or cancel their chauffeur booking, thereby giving them greater control of their travel requirements.

The new features will enable customers to receive SMS and e-mail confirmation for their scheduled pick-up. Moreover, customers can also connect with their chauffeur prior to being collected.

Jamal Ahmad Al Awadhi, Etihad Airways Head of Guest Experience Commercial, said: “This new service enhancement provides a seamless transportation experience for our guests, and enables them to be in direct contact with their chauffeur at all times.

The optimised chauffeur service, operated with Mercedes-Benz E-Class luxury sedans, will facilitate timely pick-up and drop-off for customers, and enable them to provide their live feedback after each trip, helping to always ensure the highest level of service in line with customers’ needs.

Future system enhancements will enable Etihad Guest members to use their miles to book a private transfer for themselves within the UAE, irrespective of which cabin they are travelling in.

Etihad Airways has a strategic partnership with Mercedes-Benz which allows the German-made luxury vehicles to be used for all the airline’s eligible premium customer transfers within the UAE.

Mercedes-Benz S-Class vehicles chauffeur Etihad Airways’ First Class guests air-side from gate to aircraft and vice versa, if the aircraft is at a remote stand at Abu Dhabi International Airport. A fleet of premier Mercedes-Benz E-Class vehicles chauffeurs all land-side transfers between the airport and the customer’s pick up and drop off points in the UAE.