Abu Dhabi air boost

ETIHAD Airways has given the Irish long haul market another boost by deciding to increase its service from Dublin to Abu Dhabi to a daily operation, just months after introducing Dublin to its route network.

The company also launches new services to Beijing and Calcutta, and expects a big boost in passenger flow from Ireland.

Etihad is now the only airline to offer direct flights from Ireland to the Middle East. The airline, which offers one of the fastest services from Ireland to Australia, will operate 728 weekly flights this summer across its network, compared to 494 in the same season last year.

The airline will operate more than 350 flights out of Dublin this year, providing Irish business and leisure passengers with increased destination choice and enhanced connection times.

Irish travellers will have access to 46 Etihad destinations on a daily basis. Most onward flights involve less than a two hour turnaround in Abu Dhabi.

Visit: www.etihadairways.com

SIBLU has opened its latest French holiday Park with a 20% discount offer.

The company launched Les Sables du Midi, the latest destination in the south of France. Les Sables du Midi is surrounded by vineyards and just a short stroll from Valras Plage, a quintessentially French Mediterranean resort.

This parc is Siblu’s third in the south coast region of Languedoc, an area which celebrates some of the best weather and wine making in France.

To avail of the 20% discount, bookings have to be made before April 30. To book or for information (including full details on direct flights to Carcassonne, a one hour drive away) contact Siblu’s agents in Ireland: French Holiday Centre, 3 Marlboro Street, Cork. Call: 021 4272527, www.frenchholidaycentre.ie

MOTOR racing’s boy wonder, Lewis Hamilton, hopes to be top of the pile at the British F1 Grand Prix, Silverstone, in July, and entertainment specialist Keith Prowse is offering race fans the chance to be there with one-night, four-star packages starting from €285 per person.

The price includes accommodation in the four-star Hilton Coventry with full English breakfast and a one-day ticket, including coach transfers. Keith Prowse is offering a wide range of ticket options from general admission to ‘platinum’ tickets situated at the final, Woodcote bend. Extra nights are available on request.

Prices are based on two people sharing a room. Bookings can be made by visiting www.KeithProwse.com, calling [phone] or through travel agents.

DERRY is gearing up for the seventh annual City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival, running over the May bank holiday weekend (May 1-4).

To plan a visit and organise accommodation, contact the Northern Ireland Tourist Board on 1850 230 230, or log onto www.discovernorthernireland.com.