RIYADH: Philippine Airlines (PAL) has resumed its flights to Saudi Arabia after a gap of four years. Philippine Ambassador Antonio P. Villamor and Enrique Javier, PAL vice president for operations, were on board when the inaugural flight landed in Riyadh from Manila last week. “PAL is our flag carrier and it’s only proper that it flies to and from Saudi Arabia where there are some 1.3 million Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), many of whom travel to Philippines on vacation,” Villamor said at the King Khaled International Airport. PAL, with its Boeing 747-400 aircraft that can seat 50 passengers in Business Class and 383 others in Economy Class, stopped flying to Riyadh in 2006. Villamor said he was honored to be among the 180 passengers on the flight, during which the crew showed the typical Filipino hospitality. The return flight to Manila had 407 passengers. Passengers on the flight expressed satisfaction on the service, saying that it was efficient, the stewardesses were courteous and the food was up to the mark. PAL flies non-stop to Riyadh four times weekly, departing from Manila every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The return flight from Riyadh is every Wednesday, Friday, Sunday and Monday.

JEDDAH: As flowers flourish, gardens become colorful, and families appreciate quality time outdoors before the Middle Eastern summer heat kicks in, Rosewood Corniche is gearing up for a sumptuous spring break at the Red Sea. With clear blue skies, ideal temperatures and green scenery for a few more precious weeks, spring is a favorite time among the Kingdom’s residents. Whether for Jeddah’s outdoor activities, shopping or simply gathering around a meal, it is also perceived as especially valued family time. “Families will enjoy discounts on rooms and suites from now until the end of June 2010. We have always valued the importance of family gatherings and spend quality time with our loved ones,” said Hans-Peter Leitzke, managing director at Rosewood Corniche. Designed for both business and leisure travelers, the hotel is positioned on Jeddah’s Corniche, one of the city’s most impressive districts.

JEDDAH: After a 20-year interval, Lufthansa is resuming flights to Iraq. On April 25, Germany’s largest carrier will launch services from Frankfurt to the city of Erbil in Northern Iraq. Lufthansa passengers will have a choice of four flights per week on this new route. Lufthansa will operate the four-and-a-half hour flight with an Airbus A319 with 132 seats in Business and Economy Class. With the resumption of flights to Iraq, Lufthansa is continuing to expand its route network in the Middle East and will then offer 100 flights per week to 15 destinations in 12 countries. Erbil has been served since 2006 from Vienna by Austrian Airlines, which flies under the Lufthansa Group banner. This flight is operated on a code share basis with Lufthansa. Including the new Lufthansa service, Lufthansa passengers will thus have a choice of nine flights per week to Erbil. The demand for flights to Iraq is growing amid signs of an economic recovery and as foreign firms set up operations in the country. With a population of one million, Erbil, is the fourth-largest city in Iraq and has a rich history spanning several thousands of years. Erbil International Airport has recently been expanded and has a modern passenger terminal.