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The Middle East Business Aviation Show saw the display of Eclipse 500, the world’s smallest lightest jet aircraft courtesy Dubai-based Palm Aviation and Turkey’s MyJet. The Eclipse 500, which will be performing flight demonstrations after the three day event, is designed to be cost effective, safe and reliable, with excellent fuel mileage and is fitted with twin turbofan engines and fire suppression system for…
According to a press release, Abu Dhabi Tourism authority (ADTA) has announced a five year strategic plan for 2008-2012 under which the ADTA aims to bring in 2.7 million hotel guests to the emirate by 2012. Abu Dhabi recently celebrated its second year as official Premier Partner at World Travel Market 2008 as the four-day show came to a close yesterday. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, ADTA Chairman,…
$1 billion worth Vision 3’ Hospitality Development Fund (HDF) of the Abu Dhabi Investment House (ADIH)’s is in process of finalising a number of deals just weeks after its launch, targeting raising $300 million by the first quarter of 2009. The current projects under consideration are based in the MENASA region and include a total of six projects under the Porta Moda and Entertainment City concept, in addition…
As the strike by Alitalia employees opposed to the takeover of the airline continued on the sixth day, the airline was expected to cancel about 40 flights into and out of Rome's Fiumicino and Milan's Linate airports on Saturday, November 15. On Friday, November 14, 60 flights in and out of Rome were grounded. The strike is in protest of a takeover deal by Italian Air Company (CAI). Under the terms of the deal,…
The Abu Dhabi Airports Company announced at the Middle East Business Aviation Show that the city’s new dedicated private jet airport will be renamed City Airport, Abu Dhabi. The move comes in the wake of ongoing attempts at the overhaul of the airport facility. The airport was formerly known as the Al Bateen airport facility. Source: www.ameinfo.com
Speaking to Capitol Club, Dubai International Financial Centre on November 11, Paul Griffiths, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Dubai Airports said that a brand new Terminal 4 was planned at the airport in addition to extensions to terminal 1, 2 and 3. “We have Dh290 million that will be spent over the next two years on terminals 1, 2 and 3, making sure they are running to full capacity,” Griffiths said. He…
Addressing the media at the ongoing World Travel Mart 2008 in London, Shaikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA) said that, owing to the rapid growth experienced by the tourism sector over the last five years, the influx of tourists into Sharjah is expected to reach 3.5 million by 2012. He also added “While tourism is today one of Sharjah’s…
Abu Dhabi National Hotels (ADNH) has signed an MoU with YOTEL Investments, to develop two new hotels in Abu Dhabi based on a the concept of cabins. The two hotels that will be built at the Airport and in the Abu Dhabi City Centre will cater to the requirements of participants, delegates and visitors to exhibitions and conferences that take place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre situated nearby. The…
To facilitate travel from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah and Madinah for those making the Hajj Pilgrimage, Etihad Airways has announced that it will increase its services from Abu Dhabi to Saudi Arabia in December. In addition to its regular daily Jeddah service, Etihad will offer 10 extra flights to the city between 24 November and 19 December. The airline will also add two flights to Madinah between 29 November and 2…
Malaysia’s low cost airline AirAsai announced on November 12 that it has abolished fuel surcharges on all its flights. The airline will also offer 500,000 seats for travel between June 22 and October 24, 2009, on all its routes. Source: Emirates Business 24/7
Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways has agreed to borrow $370.2 million (approximately 100 million Kuwaiti dinars) to buy new aircraft. The low-cost carrier's board has asked the management to indentify lenders that would provide the required loan. Source : www.ameinfo.com
UK carrier British Airways (BA) has reduced its fuel surcharge for World Traveller (economy) and World Traveller Plus (premium economy) customers, the airline said on November 11. Thanks to the fuel surcharge cut, customers travelling from UAE will now pay Dh150 less for a return economy fare, and Dh75 less for a return premium economy fare. Paul Starrs, BA's Commercial Manager, Middle East said "In spite of…
In additionto its sales and ticketing office at the city’s Silom Road, Oman ’s national carrier Oman Air has opened a new office at theSuvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok . Bennet Stephen , Oman Air Country Manager in Thailand ,said that the count of Omani tourists to Bangkok this year was expected to be double that of 2007. “With the opening of the newoffice, we hope to address the needs of our…
The UAE emirate of Sharjah plansto increase the total number of hotel rooms in the emirate to 12,000 by 2010,to accommodate the increasing number of tourists visiting Sharjah. The emiratealso expects to have over 5,000 new hotel rooms in the next two years. Theannouncement was made during the World Travel Market 2008 Exhibition in London by Mohamed Al Noman, Director General of Sharjah Commerce and…
Dubai-based Emirates Airline hasannounced the addition of 31 extra flights to Jeddah for the Hajj season. Theadditional flights to Jeddah have been introduced to cater to the increasedpassenger movement during peak Hajj season. The airline has also appointed adedicated group of airport staff to provide ground-handling services topassengers. Source: www.ameinfo.com
Delta Air Lines has enhanced itsschedule for its customers between Jordan and the United States .The new schedule provides customers with stronger flight connectivity withinthe US andbeyond. Passengers travelling from Amman 's Queen Alia International Airport can now connect to over 40 destinations within the US , Latin America , Canada and the Caribbean via New York 'sJohn F.…
Qatar Airways (QA) said yesterdaythat it has secured a $500 million (Dh1,836m) 12-year finance lease from BNPParibas, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered Bank andSumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation Europe for the purchase of three Boeing 777aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled for delivery by the end of this year. Qatar Airways' Chief ExecutiveAkbar Al Baker said "This financial…
Executive jet and helicopteroperator Falcon Aviation Services Regular will, for the first time, offerflights to internal destinations in Abu Dhabi .Services between Abu Dhabi 's Emirates Palace and Dubai 'sBurj Al Arab will also be consolidated. Captain Salem Al Kayoumi, Chairman ofFalcon Aviation Services, said: "We will be launching this kind of servicefor the first time in Abu Dhabi ,which has…
