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Asir Governor Prince Faisal ibn Khaled announced that starting this year, there will no longer be musical concerts at the Abha Tourism Festival. Prince Khaled, who is chairman of the Tourism Development Council, told a news conference the concerts are not an important part of the festival. However, an Operetta consisting of national songs and traditional dance will be held. The festival attracts large numbers…
Gulf travel agency associations signed an agreement to create a lobby group in order to protect and promote their interests as the tourism industry expands. The newly formed Gulf Travel Association headquarters will be based in Abu Dhabi. Sharjah, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Abu Dhabi have joined the new group, which will be headed by the Abu Dhabi Travel and Tourism Association (ATTAC). Secretary General for ATTAC…
Qatar Airways will move into the air charter jet market this year with three Bombardier business aircraft. The airline’s chief executive made the announcement at the Paris Air Show. Akbar al Baker said they are launching the new corporate jet division with “a Challenger 300, which is already operating, and two new Challenger 605s”. The Challenger 605 carries up to twelve passengers and the Challenger 300…
Dubai International Airport (DIA was awarded the Aerodrome License by the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The Aerodrome Interim License Extension Program was designed to enhance and strengthen operational standards and safety at UAE’s international airports. Director General of GCAA said DIA complied with regulations and demonstrated total commitment to increasing “the performance of its aviation…
Emirates Airlines expressed no interest in Boeing’s proposed larger wing for the 777 widebody jet. The Dubai based carrier, the regions largest airline, will be the biggest user of the 777 airliner. They have ordered 70 A350s and have signed a letter of intent buy another 30. Emirates Airlines chief executive said at the Paris Airshow said instead “I’d be thinking seriously about an all new aircraft.”,…
Etihad Airways closed one of the biggest, most far reaching engine deals in the history of airlines at the Paris Air Show Tuesday. The engine deals include long term service contracts and are worth up to $14 billion (Dh51.41). The new deals underscore the importance of the Gulf Region in global aviation. While it is estimated the industry will lose an estimated $9 billion, airline performance in the region has…
A Saudi Arabian Airlines scheduled flight aborted take off after the pilot discovered damage to two of the planes rear tires. The flight was about to depart from the Prince Muhammad Airport in Madinah and was carrying 83 passengers bound for Riyadh’s King Khaled International Airport. An overheated brake system caused the damage. General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) spokesman said flight number…
German aerospace companies will be the first tenants to occupy the aerospace zone at Al Ain International Airport. MT Aerospace, Aerotech Peissenberg and Aircraft Electronic Engineering signed Memorandum’s of Understanding with Abu Dhabi Airports Company. The companies will build plants that produce avionic systems and aerostructures at Al Ain. Mubadala Development, an investment arm of the Abu Dhabi…
Ascot Racecourse in England and Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority have entered a partnership including a branding agreement during the Royal Ascot thoroughbred racing event. The 300 year old, five day event starts today and this sponsorship is the first time Abu Dhabi has been directly associated with a UK horse racing event. Under the agreement Abu Dhabi’s tourism brand will be displayed on pennants, staff…
Gulf Air finalized an agreement to purchase engines from Rolls Royce worth $1.5 billion (Dh 5.5 billion). The Trent 700 enhanced performance (EP) engines will power twenty Airbus A330 aircraft and deliveries will begin in 2012. TotalCare long-term service is included in the agreement and a current long-term service agreement for Trent 700’s powering A330s already in service has been renewed. Gulf Air Chairman…
Germany’s Bavaria Airspace cluster signed an agreement with the Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) to create a world class aerospace center in Al Ain. Under the agreement, ADAC, Mubadala, and government agencies will invest as much as $1 billion over the next three to five years to build the aerospace center. ADAC board member Fahd Al Shamsi told a news conference that “Abu Dhabi is part of a region that is…
Doha based Qatar Airways finalized a contract at the Paris Airshow to purchase 24 Airbus aircraft for $1.9 billion as part of its business expansion strategy. Twenty A320’s and four A321 aircraft are included in the agreement. Aircraft deliveries are scheduled to begin in November 2009 and will be completed in 2012. Currently Qatar Airways operates four A320 family aircraft. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al…
Dubai Shopping Festival Office announced an expanded and improved Modhesh world thanks to the continued support of many of the biggest names in the private sector. Modhesh World occupies 37,000 square feet and is the largest indoor theme park in the Middle East. The bigger and better Modhesh World features education activities and exciting new rides sure to provide families and children a fun learning…
Leading luxury hotelier Rosewood Hotels and Resorts has appointed Peter Finamore as new Managing Director for Al Faisaliah Hotel and Hotel Al Khozoma in Riyadh. Mr. Finamore has been an important asset for many of the worlds leading hotels in the thirty years he has worked in the hospitality industry. Most recently he was the Executive Vice President of Operations for Echelon Resort in Las Vegas,…
The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) last week held road shows in the Baltic states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania in order to promote Dubai as a leading leisure and business destination. Arabian Connection Tourism, Arabian Destinations of the World, Alpha Tours, and Jebel Ali International Hotels and Royal Gulf Tourism participated in the road shows. Air Baltic representatives…
Etihad Airways will announce at the Paris Air show this week that they will place engine orders, including service, valued at $6.7 billion. Sources say the engines will be for 100 Airbus SAS and Boeing Co.aircraft. According to an invitation for the Paris Air Show, Etihad Chief Executive Officer James Hogan will hold two press conferences on 16 June in Le Bourget, the location of the Paris Air Show. The…
Discounts and special offers for airfare and hotel stays boosted air traffic at Dubai International Airport 7% last month. More than 3.21 million visitors passed through the worlds’ sixth busiest airport last month, compared to 3 million visitors for the same period last year. Dubai International Airport and its largest tenant, Emirates are using deep discounts to stimulate spending and bring more tourists in.…
Strata Manufacturing has been named the new company at Mubadalla Development’s new aerospace plant. Mubadalla Development is an investment arm of the government. The government hopes that the new aerospace cluster at Al Ain International Airport will draw international aerospace companies because of the lower cost of labor and cheaper energy costs. Strata Manufacturing will be the flagship company at the new…
