Latest news with #GTF
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Make a ‘Connection' with George Town Festival
Stamp rally: Fun showing the six different stamps, each featuring unique designs, which visitors to selected events can collect for a chance to win a prize. — KT GOH/The Star GEORGE TOWN: The city will be transformed into a vibrant stage when the George Town Festival (GTF) returns for its 16th edition. So do plan your holiday to Penang for next month as from Aug 2 to 10, GTF 2025 – with the theme 'Connection' – will feature 50 programmes exploring the powerful relationships between the arts, the city and the human experience. These range from music to dance, theatre, photography, visual arts and more. About 80% of the programmes will be offered for free in line with the festival's aim of making the arts accessible to all. GTF director Jack Wong said 32 programmes were homegrown and reflected Malaysia's rich artistic diversity. Of this, 22 are Penang-based. The other 18 are international presentations and include bold new works. He said only seven events would be ticketed, priced between RM40 and RM100. 'GTF 2025 will also have a series of workshops and talks which offer deeper insights into the creative process and give visitors opportunities to engage with the artistes and their works. 'Whether you're a newcomer or long-time follower, you will have a week of unforgettable experiences.' Festivities kick-off with the 'After Dusk' opening weekend on Aug 2 and 3 at the Esplanade, which is expected to draw over 100,000 visitors. The iconic Town Hall will come alive with colours and patterns in a projection mapping showcase while live performances by various local and international acts will start from 5pm. Other highlights include a contemporary performance inspired by the state's natural landscapes called 'Waris', and a tribute exhibition to late cartoonist Azmi Hussin titled 'Living the Tanjong Life'. There will be a 'Symbiosis: Crab Chronicle' which offers a crab's view of Penang's shifting coastlines through augmented reality/virtual reality experiences, as well as 'Between Departures' which turns an actual city bus into an intimate musical stage journeying through George Town. Further cultural exchange is promoted through the 'A Night in Spain' classical music concert in partnership with the Spanish Embassy in Malaysia, as well as the 'Totsu-totsu dance – Like Art, Like Care' dance workshop and performance with Japan's Cultural Affairs Agency. Visitors to six selected events can collect six stamps under the 'Stamp Rally' by local artist Elsie Fun and stand a chance of winning a prize. State tourism and creative economy committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said GTF had grown into one of the region's most vibrant platforms for artistic expression since its inception in 2010. 'What began as a local initiative has expanded into a leading space for creativity and ideas in South-East Asia. 'This year's theme reflects our hope to further build bridges between peoples, ideas and stories through diverse artistic experiences.' For tickets/details, visit or follow @georgetownfestival on social media.
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Business Standard
14-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
Wizz Air exits Abu Dhabi amid instability and lack of market access
Wizz Air said it was exiting its Abu Dhabi operation to focus on its main eastern European market, after almost two years of turmoil in the Middle East wiped out any chance of making a profit there. Wizz, a low-cost carrier founded in Hungary for eastern European travellers, expanded first into western Europe, before opening a base in Abu Dhabi six years ago, and pinning its hopes for future growth on a major expansion into the Middle East. But it abandoned those plans on Monday, blaming recent geopolitical instability for frequent airspace closures and disruptions, which have hit travel demand, and meaning there was no hope for recovery at the loss-making unit. Wizz CEO József Váradi said returning to Wizz's "bread and butter" of central and eastern Europe, where it competes with Europe's biggest airline Ryanair, would boost profits. "We have been underinvesting in this market over the last few years. Now we can go back to the full spirit of continuously exploiting the market," he told Reuters. "These are the markets that we know work." Shares in the London-listed airline rose 2.6 per cent in mid-morning trade. The stock is down about 62 per cent over the last two years, hit by issues with Pratt & Whitney GTF engines which led to the grounding of some aircraft. Wizz has 280 aircraft on order from Airbus over the next five years, and Váradi said most of these would be deployed in central and eastern Europe, which accounts for about two-thirds of the airline's business, while Britain, Italy and Austria are just under 30 per cent, and Abu Dhabi had been about 5 per cent. He said there would be sufficient travel demand to sustain that size of fleet, whether Ukraine fully opens as a market once more, or not. "I think it would be great to have Ukraine," he said. Even before the heightened tensions in the region, Váradi said Wizz's low-cost model was struggling to work in Abu Dhabi because engines degrade faster in the hot, harsh environment, making its operations there less efficient. Secondly, Wizz had not been granted the market access it had been promised to India and Pakistan when it first decided to open Abu Dhabi, limiting the growth potential. Wizz, which had operated a joint venture with Abu Dhabi Developmental Holding company (ADQ), said it will stop local flights from there in September.
Daily Mirror
14-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Wizz Air scraps dozens of routes as hot weather is breaking its planes
Wizz Air has announced that it will suspend operations from its Abu Dhabi hub. The budget airline currently operates more than 30 routes from the Middle Eastern base. Wizz Air has scrapped a number of routes as "hot and harsh" weather is damaging its planes. On Monday, the Hungarian airline announced that it would discontinue its Abu Dhabi operations starting in August. Ticket sales have been halted from the Middle Eastern capital to Varna from July 14, followed by Belgrade on July 19, Tirana on July 20, Kutaisi on July 29, and Sarajevo on August 31. Six additional routes will be temporarily suspended, including Krakow (July 29–September 19), Budapest (paused until September 1), Vienna (paused until September 21), Katowice (paused until October 26), and both Astana and Samarkand (paused until November 1). Services to Sofia and Cluj have already been discontinued, Aviation Weekly reports. The publication also notes that Pratt & Whitney GTF engine issues have led to 20% of Wizz Air's Airbus A320neo-family fleet being grounded over the past financial year. The budget airline currently operates more than 30 routes from its Abu Dhabi base. Last month, Wizz Air CEO József Váradi said the carrier was strategically reducing operations in 'hot and harsh' environments. He explained that capacity would be reallocated to lower-risk areas to help reduce operating costs and prolong engine life. 'Hot and harsh is a significant issue which we are going to address,' the CEO said. 'That will not only lower operating costs and extend engine lifetime, but it will also increase productivity on sectors.' In a statement issued this morning, the airline said three main "operational challenges over the past year" led to the decision to "suspend all locally based flight operations effective 1 September 2025". They are: • Engine reliability constraints, particularly in hot and harsh environments, which have impacted aircraft availability and operational efficiency. • Geopolitical volatility, which has led to repeated airspace closures and operational disruptions across the region, as well as weakened consumer demand. • Regulatory barriers, which have limited the company's ability to access and scale in key markets. Mr. Váradi added: "We have had a tremendous journey in the Middle East and are proud of what we have built. I thank our highly dedicated employees for their relentless efforts and commitment to developing the WIZZ brand in new and dynamic markets. However, the operating environment has changed significantly. "Supply chain constraints, geopolitical instability, and limited market access have made it increasingly difficult to sustain our original ambitions. While this was a difficult decision, it is the right one given the circumstances. We continue to focus on our core markets and on initiatives that enhance Wizz Air's customer proposition and build shareholder value." Passengers with existing bookings beyond 31 August will be contacted directly via email with options for refunds or alternative travel arrangements. Customers who booked through third-party providers are advised to contact their respective agents. The suspensions do not affect other flights of the Wizz Air group. The announcements come as Wizz extends its operations in other markets, including by adding several new routes from its UK base at Luton Airport. From last month, Wizz Air started whisking passengers away four times weekly from Gatwick to the quaint Polish city of Wroclaw. Come the start of August, Londoners will also have the chance to jet off from the same bustling hub to the Polish capital, Warsaw, and even Medina in Saudi Arabia. Birmingham hasn't been left behind; the heart of the West Midlands gained thrice-weekly connections to Rome as of June, with future plans to link up with Sibiu and Suceava in Romania. Last week Mirror Travel sat down with Yvonne Moynihan, the new managing director of the UK wing of the airline. In a wide-ranging interview, she wanted the bag fees to be set for a hike due to upcoming European Union legislation. Ms Moynihan also admitted that she had recently been stung by the airline's hand-luggage rules, forking out for a £60 fine as a result.
Yemen Online
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yemen Online
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Suspends Key European Routes Amid Engine Challenges - Yemen Online
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has announced the suspension of several major European routes from the UAE, citing engine reliability issues and strategic realignment of its network. The low-cost carrier will end flights to Belgrade on July 19 and Sarajevo on August 31, with ticket sales already halted. Why the Cuts? The airline is grappling with performance issues in its Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, particularly in the Gulf's extreme heat. Nearly 20% of its A320neo fleet is grounded, prompting Wizz Air to reduce operations in 'hot and harsh' environments to preserve engine life. Other Routes Affected Additional suspensions include: - Varna – last flight July 14 - Tirana – last flight July 20 - Kutaisi – last flight July 29 - Krakow, Budapest, Vienna, Katowice – temporarily paused - Sofia and Cluj – already discontinued What's Next for Travelers? Passengers who booked directly with Wizz Air will be contacted for refunds or rerouting options, while those who used third-party agents are advised to reach out via the airline's 24-hour hotline. New Opportunities With Wizz Air stepping back, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi may fill the gap. Air Serbia has also expressed interest in expanding Gulf services. This shake-up marks a significant shift in UAE–Balkans connectivity, and travelers are urged to double-check itineraries and stay updated via airline websites.
Yemen Online
10-07-2025
- Business
- Yemen Online
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi Suspends Key European Routes Amid Engine Challenges
Wizz Air Abu Dhabi has announced the suspension of several major European routes from the UAE, citing engine reliability issues and strategic realignment of its network. The low-cost carrier will end flights to Belgrade on July 19 and Sarajevo on August 31, with ticket sales already halted. Why the Cuts? The airline is grappling with performance issues in its Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, particularly in the Gulf's extreme heat. Nearly 20% of its A320neo fleet is grounded, prompting Wizz Air to reduce operations in 'hot and harsh' environments to preserve engine life. Other Routes Affected Additional suspensions include: - Varna – last flight July 14 - Tirana – last flight July 20 - Kutaisi – last flight July 29 - Krakow, Budapest, Vienna, Katowice – temporarily paused - Sofia and Cluj – already discontinued What's Next for Travelers? Passengers who booked directly with Wizz Air will be contacted for refunds or rerouting options, while those who used third-party agents are advised to reach out via the airline's 24-hour hotline. New Opportunities With Wizz Air stepping back, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia Abu Dhabi may fill the gap. Air Serbia has also expressed interest in expanding Gulf services. This shake-up marks a significant shift in UAE–Balkans connectivity, and travelers are urged to double-check itineraries and stay updated via airline websites.
