Travel Unpacked: UK travel warnings and Air Canada relaunches Dubai-Vancouver flights

The National rounds up the most interesting tourism news you might have missed

Air Canada is relaunching winter flights between Vancouver and Dubai in October. Photo: Air Canada

Riots in the UK have led to Malaysia becoming the first country to issue travel warnings to people heading to the country this week, while new rules at airports across Europe will see liquid limits reimposed on passengers.

In the UAE, outdoor enthusiasts can get excited for Highlander UAE 2025, which will come to Ras Al Khaimah early next year, and Air Canada has relaunched direct flights between Dubai and Vancouver, the first non-stop flights between western Canada and the Middle East.

Here's a round-up of recent travel and tourism news – in case you missed it.

Air Canada relaunches Dubai-Vancouver flights

Air Canada will relaunch non-stop flights from Vancouver to Dubai in October.

The airline confirmed it is resuming the only direct flights between the Middle East and western Canada later this year.

Up to four flights a week will operate between Vancouver International Airport and DXB, the world's busiest international airport, with the first services departing on October 28. The seasonal service will run until March 29, 2025.

The Canadian airline will operate flights on its Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet, with three choices of cabin, including premium economy.

“We are very pleased to offer the only non-stop services from Dubai to western Canada again this winter, with up to four weekly flights on board our Dreamliner fleet. Our Dubai-Vancouver flights provide even greater travel choices to our customers in Dubai, bridging the Middle East to western Canada during the winter season, while linking two global hub airports and cosmopolitan destinations,” said Deepu Cyriac, country manager for UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman at Air Canada.

Departing from Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, flying time to the port city in British Columbia will be a little more than 15 hours. Tickets are available now, with return fares starting from Dh4,000 ($1,090).

From Dubai, Air Canada's new flights will depart on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 2am.

Passengers departing Vancouver International Airport for Dubai will be able to fly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, with a night-time flight that departs about 10pm.

Travellers flying on the route will be able to enjoy Canadian cuisine created by a panel of celebrity chefs including Montreal's Jerome Ferrer and Vancouver-based David Hawksworth and Vikram Vij.

The route is Air Canada's second to Dubai, joining the airline's daily service between Toronto and the emirate. The airline's first flights from Dubai to Vancouver were in October 2023 and ended in March the following year.

Malaysia issues travel warning for the UK following mass riots

Malaysia has issued a travel advisory to its citizens travelling to the UK amid riots in the country.

“Malaysians residing in or travelling to the United Kingdom are urged to stay away from protest areas, remain vigilant and follow the latest updates and guidance provided by local authorities,” the Malaysian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

The Asian country is the first to issue a travel warning for the UK following a wave of riots in England by far-right demonstrators targeting asylum seekers and ethnic minorities.

The ministry urged citizens to register their presence with the South-East Asian nation’s diplomatic mission in London.

In towns across England, mobs have taken to the streets, chanting anti immigrant and anti-Muslim messages in what is being described as the country's most severe unrest in more than a decade. The disturbances started in the seaside town of Southport, following a mass stabbing on July 29 that left three young girls dead.

False reports spread by extremist far-right social media accounts claimed the suspect was a Muslim and an illegal migrant. Police have since said the alleged murderer is a 17-year-old man born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents who are Christian, and living in a village near Southport.

Clashes and riots have spread across the country with incidents in several towns and cities including Manchester, Hartlepool, Blackburn and Leeds, and as far as Belfast in Northern Ireland.

The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a national policing unit to tackle the disorder, under which more than 400 people have been arrested so far.

Airport security: European airports restrict liquids to 100ml

Travellers flying through Europe from next month should be aware of new rules for carrying liquid in hand luggage.

The EU Commission has issued new guidelines that revert to previous restrictions limiting travellers to carrying liquids measuring no more than 100ml in their hand luggage.

From September 1, airports in the Schengen area must adhere to the new rules, including those that had previously installed next-generation CT scanning equipment and removed the restrictions on hand luggage for travellers.

Several airports are affected by the U-turn including Amsterdam's Schiphol, Rome-Fiumicino International and Berlin International Airport, all of which had previously allowed passengers to carry liquid and gel containers bigger than 100ml.

Royal Schiphol Group said its airports in the Netherlands are “taking several measures to inform travellers about the adjusted rules” and confirmed that the change was “not related to any revision in threat levels”. It also confirmed other travel rules remain unchanged, so electronics can remain in hand baggage.

The news follows a similar announcement by the UK's Department for Transport last month that restricted liquids in hand baggage at several airports including Aberdeen, Newcastle, Leeds and London City. The change was announced as a temporary measure but no date on when the advice might change has been communicated.

Larger airports including London Heathrow, the UK's busiest, had not planned on introducing the changes in hand liquid restrictions until 2025.

Highlander Adventure returns to Ras Al Khaimah in 2025

Adventure seekers in the UAE can look forward to Highlander Adventure 2025 which will take place in Ras Al Khaimah in February.

Organised by Ras Al Khaimah Tourism Development Authority and Highlander, the world’s largest international hiking association, the multi-day, long-distance hiking spectacle will cover 80km of craggy terrain in the Hajar Mountains.

Set to be the largest event since the challenge first launched in 2021, Highlander Adventure UAE gives outdoor enthusiasts the chance to trek across Jebel Jais – the highest peak in the UAE.

“The fourth edition of Highlander Adventure reaffirms our region's appeal for adventure travel and sports enthusiasts, with last year's event drawing 240 participants from 20 different countries,” said Fadi Hachicho, managing director of Highlander Adventure UAE, and founder and chief of Adventurati Outdoor.

“We will continue to highlight the rich heritage and culture of this Emirate with every event we organise, while enhancing our camp programmes with more entertainment and wellness initiatives."

This year's event will also feature a Highlander Lyra challenge, a one-day excursion that is aimed at those who cannot commit to the original three-day backpacking challenge.

As well as taking in epic landscapes, the expedition winds through old Emirati settlements and UAE farms where participants can see the history and diversity of Ras Al Khaimah. The event also includes sessions on ecology and the nature-driven aspect of hiking.