International News

Jet Airways to operate wide-body aircraft on Mumbai-Dubai route

Mumbai: Private carrier Jet Airways on Friday said it will operate one of its daily flights to Dubai from here with a wide body Boeing aircraft to meet growing demand on the route, starting next month.

The change in aircraft type will help Jet Airways fly an additional 178 seats on the route.

The full service carrier currently operates 10 daily flights between India and Dubai or 70 flights per week on this high traffic density route.

Starting August 6, Jet Airways flight 9W 544 from Mumbai to Dubai and the return leg flight 9W 543 from Dubai to Mumbai will be operated on the wide-body jetliner, Boeing 777-300ER, replacing the narrow-body B737-800, Jet Airways said in a statement.

“Dubai is among our most popular destinations for business and leisure travellers and it was only logical to increase capacity on flights to this key market. Deploying the 777-300ER aircraft will give our guests flying on the Mumbai-Dubai route the opportunity to sample our signature First Class hospitality for the first time, while also delivering a more superior flying experience for guests in all classes,” Jet Airways whole Time Director Gaurang Shetty said.

World Mourning Nice Attack

A man places flowers to pay tribute to the victims of the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice, in front of the French embassy in Kiev, Ukraine.

A French and European Union flags fly at half-mast in memory of the Bastille Day truck attack in Nice, at the French embassy in Vienna, Austria.

Flowers and a paper reading ‘Pray for Nice’ are placed in front of the French Embassy in Berlin.

A man writes into a condolence book at the French embassy in Bratislava to commemorate the victims of the deadly attacks in Nice.

White roses lie in front of the French embassy in Berlin, Germany.

A French tricolour flag flies at half mast next to the Union flag over Downing Street in central London in honour and solidarity with the victims of the deadly attack in the southern French city of Nice.

A member of the French community holds up a candle and a national flag during a vigil in Sydney.

Emirates Launches Triple Daily Flights to Perth

DUBAI, Mar 04th, 2013 – Emirates airlines has launched its third daily flight to Perth from Dubai, in meeting the demand for international flights to and from Western Australia, as well as the airline’s commitment to the state.

This ongoing commitment to tourism and trade in Western Australia by EMirates, sees Emirates’ flights to Perth rise from 19 to 21 per week, offering an extra 1,440 seat capacity between Dubai and Western Australia each week, this will also facilitate travel to Australia by emirates from other EK destinations like London, Karachi, Mumbai, Jeddah and so on.

“Emirates is dedicated to providing greater travel opportunities for our passengers to and from Western Australia through the introduction of this new, third daily flight and by providing state-of-the-art aircraft across the three daily Perth services,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operation Far East & Australasia.

“In addition, Emirates has also announced it will increase the capacity on one of its other flights to Perth – EK424 and EK425 from 1 June by using a Boeing 777-300ER, providing passengers with the highest quality aircraft across all of our cabin classes and more opportunity to secure a seat on these popular flights, with the number of economy class seats increasing from 216 to 304,” Mr Obaidalla added.

Tourism Western Australia CEO Stephanie Buckland said the introduction of Emirates’ third daily Perth service was a tremendous boost for the state’s tourism industry.

“Since it started flying to Perth in August 2002, Emirates has become a major player in West Australia’s international market,” Ms Buckland said.

“In that time Emirates’ services between Dubai and Perth have increased from four a week to 21, which represents a strong vote of confidence in WA as a holiday and business destination,” she added.

“With the extra flights and Emirates’ vast network Perth has a new level of one-stop connectivity to the world, and in particular WA’s key European and North American markets,” she concluded.

Emirates flight EK422 departs Dubai at 2145hrs and arrives in Perth at 1225hrs the following day, the return flight, EK423, departs Perth at 1510hrs and arrives in Dubai at 2210hrs.

OPEC to hold Anniversary quiz for Member Countries

Vienna, 17th June 2010 — Young national representatives from Member Countries will be tested on their knowledge of OPEC and the international oil industry at a quiz competition to be held at the Organization’s new Headquarters at the end of June.

The event, to be hosted on 30 June 2010 by OPEC Secretary General, Abdalla Salem El-Badri, forms part of the Organization’s 50th Anniversary celebrations and will be broadcast live on the OPEC website. It will see students between the ages of 15 and 18 competing against one another for three top prizes.

The contestants, one each from Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela will travel to the Austrian capital after successfully competing in and winning their Country’s qualifying competitions.

At the grand final, competitors will be tested over three rounds. The first will be on OPEC, while the second will carry questions on Member Countries. The top four from these rounds will then compete in the final round, which will be on the international oil industry in general.

The quiz is just one of many activities being held this year to mark the year-long OPEC’s Golden Jubilee celebration. The Organization was founded in Baghdad, Iraq, in September 1960, by an initial five Founding Members.

Sharjah awarded “Best Arab World Exhibitor” at the ITB 2010

Berlin, 14th March 2010 (WAM) — The emirate of Sharjah was awarded the Best Arab World Exhibitor Award amidst heavy competition at the International Tourism Bourse in Berlin, Germany. The award is granted based on an evaluation by the Business School at the University of Cologne of the 11,000 participating stands concerning design, creativity, promotional materials and information provided to ITB visitors. The Sharjah stand complied with all the requirements, seeing more than 25,000 visitors flocking to its stand during the exhibition.

The awards ceremony was attended by President of the German Tourism Association, Klaus Lapple, Lord Mayor of Berlin, Fritz Schramma, Prof. Dr. Aad Van Mourik, Dean of the Cologne Business School and ITB Coordinator Peter Wolfgang Klose, who witnessed Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qassimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA), receiving the award. H.E. Mohammed A. Al Noman, SCTDA Director General, and members of the Sharjah delegation were also in attendance.

Commenting on Sharjah’s accomplishment at the ITB, Al Qassimi stated that the award – the fourth consecutive award for Sharjah at ITB – reflects the hard work put in by the SCTDA to promote Sharjah by painting a bright picture of the emirate at various international events.

Added Al Qassimi: “The international award gained today, which will be added to the vast list of accomplishments of the SCTDA, adds more responsibility and commitment towards supporting Sharjah’s status on the international tourism map, which we are keen to maintain under the support and guidance of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah.

“The International Tourism Bourse is undoubtedly one of the most distinguished travel and tourism events in the world, and Sharjah, through 13 years of participation, was again able to achieve successful participation at this international event by winning the Best Arab World Exhibitor Award for the fourth consecutive time, which I’m sure will be a driving inspiration for further achievements in the future.” He added: “As in previous years, the SCTDA stand was beautifully designed to reflect the emirate’s tourism, cultural and historical identity over an area of 303 sq. meters, with accurate publications in both English and German distributed to ITB visitors. A major part of the stand was specified to present and promote Sharjah’s cultural features, and included activities such as Emirati folklore shows, Henna drawing and genuine Arab hospitality.” Spearheaded by Al Qassimi, the delegation representing Sharjah at the International Tourism Bourse included members from 16 establishments from both the government and private sectors.

The SCTDA’s participation in the exhibition is in line with Sharjah’s strategies to promote tourism around the world, to put Sharjah at the lead in terms of the global tourism scene, and to promote the tourism sector in the emirate, which attracts more and more tourists each year due to its distinguished tourism aspects.

The international Tourism Bourse is one the biggest exhibitions concerned with the tourism industry, gathering a host of tourism experts from all over the world, with more than 10000 participants each year. This year’s ITB edition covered an area of over 160,000 sq. meters, with 12,000 participants from around the world.

UAE volunteers scale Mount Kilimanjaro summit to raise funds for anti-Malaria campaign

SHARJAH, March 14th, 2010: A group of volunteers from the UAE led by Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al-Thani have reached the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa’s highest mountain and the tallest free-standing mountain in the world, in support of an international campaign to fight Malaria and other contagious diseases.

The group pledged to raise awareness on the diseases by struggling their way up to the high summit.

Malaria is the leading cause of death for children in Tanzania. Worldwide, a child dies every 30 seconds. An estimated 20 per cent of the world’s population mostly those living in the world’s poorest countries is at risk of contracting malaria. Malaria causes more than three hundred million acute illnesses and kills at least one million people every year. Ninety per cent of deaths due to malaria occur in Africa, south of the Sahara, and most deaths occur in children under the age of five, according to the World Health Organization (WHO)

Climb Kilimanjaro

NBAD, DVB to launch US$ 1b aviation investment fund

ABU DHABI, Sep. 27th, 2009: National Bank of Abu Dhabi (“NBAD”) and DVB Bank SE (“DVB”) have signed an agreement to launch a new aviation investment fund. The new fund will invest in aviation assets, principally aircraft and engines on lease to international airlines.

“NBAD and DVB will act as 50%-50% joint venture partners in establishing and managing the fund. As sponsors of the aviation fund, NBAD and DVB will also proportionately invest in the fund alongside the investor base primarily from the UAE and other GCC countries”, according to a joint press release.

“It is expected that the fund will acquire approximately US$1 Billion in assets over the next two years,” it added.

The fund represents the first major cooperation between NBAD and DVB, and both organisations bring complimentary skills and expertise to the fund.

Ranked as one of the top 50 safest banks in the world, NBAD currently operates across 13 countries on four continents. It has a broad range of products and services to proactively suit the demands of its growing client base.

DVB Bank SE is the leading global specialist in international transport finance. It offers integrated financing solutions and advisory services in respect of Aviation, Shipping and Land Transport. DVB is a market leader in the aviation finance sector and has received several awards for innovative financings, including Middle East Debt Deal of the Year (2008) by Jane’s Transport Finance.

“We are very keen on working in partnership with the best in class, and in this regard we are delighted to have DVB, a prestigious name in the aviation financing industry, as a partner and co-investor in this important new fund,” said Mr. Mark Yassin, Senior General Manager of NBAD’s Corporate ‘&’ Investment Banking Division.

“We are committed to supporting the aviation industry as well as to bring high quality investment opportunities to our clients. We look forward to providing much needed capital to the industry” Mr. Yassin explained.

“NBAD’s outstanding loans for transport sector increased to AED 6.36 billion by the end of 2008 compared to AED 5.16 billion in 2007. This demonstrates NBAD commitment to keep pace with the development of the UAE as it plays a major role in building the country” Mr. Yassin concluded.

“At DVB, we are delighted to be working with the number one banking institution in the Middle East on this exciting new venture,” said Mr. Bertrand Grabowski, Member of the Board of Managing Directors of DVB.

“DVB and NBAD recognise the opportunity to provide both much needed capital to the industry and bring new investment opportunities in aviation to the market. We believe this is an opportune time to be investing in aviation assets” he added.

About NABD: (http://www.nbad.com) Ranked as one of the top 50 safest banks in the world, NBAD currently operates across 13 countries on four continents. It has a broad range of products and services to proactively suit the demands of its growing client base.

About DVB Bank SE (http://www.dvbbank.com) DVB is the leading global specialist in international transport finance. It offers integrated financing solutions and advisory services in respect of Aviation, Shipping and Land Transport.  DVB is a market leader in the aviation finance sector and has received several awards for innovative financings, including Middle East Debt Deal of the Year (2008) by Jane’s Transport Finance.

DVB enjoys a unique position, thanks to its focus on the global transport market. As a highly specialized niche provider we offer our clients a range of customised products and services.

With offices in 13 pivotal locations, we has a worldwide presence in the transport markets and their various segments. This global presence enables us to take into account both the international dimension and the local specifies of the markets in which our approximately 500 clients in Shipping, Aviation and Land Transport Finance operate

Mohammed Bin Rashid meets Queen Elizabeth II .

WAM Berkshire, UK, Jun 18th, 2009 (WAM): Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum was received as a guest of honour by HRH Queen Elizabeth II of England and Head of the Commonwealth during the opening ceremony of the Royal Ascot Festival in Berkshire today in the presence of an elite gathering of world’s renowned personalities, British officials, owners of race horses and seventy thousand spectators assembled at the racecourse.

Sheikh Mohammed occupied the traditional royal seat beside Queen Elizabeth II as the guard of honour started the drill lining up in the racecourse. They saluted the Queen and her guest, who received a warm welcome as an Arab and world personality with a great presence in the horserace festivals in Britain and other world countries.

Later Sheikh Mohammed and Queen Elizabeth II received the greetings from the spectators of the Britain’s major traditional international festival, which has secured the royal patronage since the last three hundred years.

Sheikh Mohammed then watched the first round of major races in the festival, in which horses from UAE and other world countries are participating.

Dubai Crown Prince HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Deputy Ruler and UAE Finance Minister HH Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the wife of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid HRH Princess Haya Bint Al Hussain, Chairman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority HH Sheikh Majid Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, HRH Prince Charles of Wales and other members of the Britain’s royal family also attended the meeting and races.

Emirates Airline Lands at ITB to Reaffirm Commitment to Travel Industry

Dubai,10th March 2009 (WAM) – Emirates Airline has moved to stabilise some of the turbulence around the travel industry by standing firm in its support for ITB, the world’s largest travel trade show.

Emirates is A long-established participant at the International Tourism Bourse, which runs March 11th-15th, the airline has returned with its giant, rotating Emirates Globe stand, demonstrating its global appeal.

Buzzing with exhibitors from 180 countries, such as hotels, tourist boards, tour operators, carriers and travel agents, ITB has come a long way since 1966, when just five overseas countries participated – Brazil, Egypt, the Federal Republic of Germany, Guinea and Iraq.

Nabil Sultan, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe, said: “ITB is an important driving force for the travel industry and it is important that Emirates should attend and support the show, particularly during these testing times. This is a good opportunity to get together with contacts, business partners and speak to the world from our spectacular Emirates Globe in one of our key markets.” Sultan added: “While the travel industry may have slowed, Emirates continues to push ahead, with the key word for this year being consolidation. We are taking a forensic approach to pricing to make sure that our products and services have maximum appeal at a time when we appreciate that our customers are increasingly cost-conscious.” The giant 9.5 metre high stand, with its 65-metre circumference, had its European debut at ITB last year. The structure has the capacity to slowly rotate 360 degrees every 30 minutes, a real head turning feature for curious exhibition goers.

Primarily, the stand will showcase Emirates Hotels and Resorts. Room set ups on the ground floor whisk you away to Al Maha Desert Resort ‘&’ Spa, which this year is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Another display features the Wolgan Valley Resort ‘&’ Spa, also a conservation-based resort, set to open this October in Australia’s Blue Mountains.

The first floor provides spacious areas for business meetings, private conference rooms and catering facilities. The top floor provides a large VIP area and majlis for hosting guests. On the fringes of the stand, visitors will be able to sample the exquisite First Class Suites onboard Emirates (available on the latest Emirates’ 777-200 and 777-300ER and A380 aircraft) in a specially recreated cabin area. An array of audio and visual displays supplement this gigantic exhibit, the result of 22,000 hours of exhaustive creative and technical work.

Dr. Christian Goeke, Chief Operating Officer for the organisers, Messe Berlin, said: “We consider it to be an impressive indication of commitment and faith in ITB Berlin and its international importance within the industry, that a globally-active company such as Emirates has continued, over many years, to choose Germany and Berlin as the location for its largest trade-fair presence outside its home market”.

Last week, Emirates announced plans to bring 2,000 travel agents, tour operators and MICE agents from around the world to Dubai on a series of 3-day familiarisation trips, as part of a “Keep Discovering Dubai” campaign.

Exotic Dubai Tours Wins UAE Web Award

Awar Ceramony Photo at Jumeirah Beach Hotel

Exoticdubai.com the most trusted and dynamic web site of Dubai travel and tourism wins the UAE awad from oer a 1000 web sites reviews by a Jury comprising a group of Design and Technical professors specialists in different fields.

The Award was prestented in a lavish ceramoney in Dubai at Jumeirah Beach Hotel Safina Ballroom on 29th Novembe 2008.

“We are pleased and thankful to Pan Arab Web Awards fore chosing us to be one of the prestigious winners” said Mr. Suhail Agha while receiving the awar.

The UAE Web Awards Committee is associated with MSN Arabia, Microsoft, BSA and Gowealthy

UAE Web Awards was created to recognize excellence in web design and development skills. to showcase their creativity in a competition for the best website in UAE .

Click here to see the list of all the winners of UAE Web Awards

Bngkok Airport remains closed till Monday

The Bankok airport which has been closed since last 4 days will still remain closed till monday. Bankok Arport being one of the largest airports of the world is under siege At least 2,000 anti-government protesters who have tightened their siege of Thailand’s main airport on Saturday, forcing dozens of riot police to abandon a checkpoint at the airport.

Airport director Serirat Prasutanont said the standoff has forced the airport authority to extend the airport’s closure until at least 6pm Monday.

The confrontation has severed the capital from civilian air traffic and stranded some 100,000 tourists.  The protesters are seeking to oust Thai Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat in the latest escalation in a long-running political crisis.

Commanders on the ground said they would not yet try to evict by force the thousands of protesters at Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports.

PAD supporters deflated the tyres of ambulances and police vehicles at the police checkpoint, while 2,000 police were deployed around the Suvarnabhumi international airport.

Some Asian airlines on Friday began sending flights to Bangkok to carry passengers stranded there.Hong Kong carrier Cathay Pacific said it would operate two flights on Friday and Saturday to pick up passengers and crew stranded in Bangkok, While South Korea’s Korean Air Lines and Asiana Airlines said they had begun sending flights on Thursday to carry up to 1,100 stranded passengers.

Malaysian Airline has also put on flights to Bangkok and is to decide on whether to send a military flight.

Like most carriers, Taiwan’s two major carriers—Eva Airways and China Airlines—cancelled their flights into Bangkok on Wednesday.

The Philippine’s Cebu Pacific Air said it has cancelled all its flights to Bangkok until next Wednesday. Another carrier of Philipines, the Philippines Airlines said that it had also stopped flights but it would be reviewing its decision on daily basis.

Itehad Airways sent a flight to bring stranded passengers.