UAE Aviation News and Discussion Thread (Part 2)

[DUBAI]

The Texans will love that!

[smussuw]

I bet

[metroreporter]

uh, hello, LAX-DXB!

[Konoval]

Pardon me, i wanted just to ask if you know anything about arab leasing corporation "Concord Aviation". I know it comes from United Arab Emirates and is for now the only foreign customer of russian Sukhoi Superjet-100. But there is absolutely NO information on this company. They don't even have their own web-site, strange for a company that have money to buy 40 jets.

So i thought maybe you can help? Thanks a lot.

[metroreporter]

woo-hoo!

while surfing Airbus' website last night, i came across this page which shows the A380 can fly DXB-LAX nonstop. now let's wait for them to deliver to Emirates now.

http://www.airbus.com/en/aircraftfam...rformance.html

[Face81]

That article on Emirates flying to Houston is a not factually correct...

Emirates Airline launches nonstop Houston-Dubai service
Emirates, one of the world's most successful and fastest-growing international airlines, today announced the December 3rd launch of its new Boeing 777-200LR non-stop service between Houston and Dubai which will initially operate three times a week, increasing to a daily service starting February 1, 2008.

Flight EK212 departs Houston (IAH) at 6:25 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and arrives in Dubai (DXB) at 7:35 p.m. the next day.

The return flight EK211 departs Dubai at 9:05 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and arrives in Houston at 4:10 p.m. the same day.

Currently, Emirates has three daily flights to Dubai from JFK.

Emirates' new non-stop service from Houston further expands its North American presence, adding a key component to its rapidly growing global route network by making service to Dubai easily accessible from the Southwest, West Coast and Midwest regions of the U.S.

In announcing the new service, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group said, "We believe there is a strong and growing demand for convenient air travel connections between the U.S. and cities in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, as illustrated by the success of Emirates' services from New York's JFK.

"It has been our intention to expand our presence in North America and the delivery of our new 777-200LRs aircraft later this year will enable us to operate these ultra long-haul routes efficiently, while providing our passengers with the latest comforts and amenities onboard. We very much look forward to starting services from Houston, our second gateway in the U.S."

Nigel Page, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, The Americas, said, "Emirates' Houston non-stop service will provide Americans, especially the business traveler, with shorter flight times to Dubai and many destinations beyond. As Emirates is one of the world's fastest-growing airlines, a second hub within the U.S. is necessary and vital to Emirates' growth. Houston, is the fourth-largest city in the U.S., and has extremely important links with the Gulf."

On the Houston-Dubai route, Emirates' technologically-advanced 777-200LR aircraft will offer the latest in-flight amenities, featuring 266 seats in a three-class configuration with up to 18 tons of cargo capacity. Designed for optimum comfort on ultra long-haul travel, it will be fitted with eight luxurious private suites in First class, 42 of its latest lie-flat seats in Business class, and generous space for 216 passengers in Economy class. Emirates will also operate the flight with two crews onboard, to ensure passengers receive the highest levels of service and care throughout the journey.

When launched, the Houston-Dubai non-stop service will also be one of Emirates' longest flights -- at just over 15 hours flying time to Dubai, while the longer return journey will be at 17 hours flying time.

Passengers in all classes will enjoy the award-winning service from Emirates' international cabin crew recruited from over 100 countries around the world, meals prepared by gourmet chefs, as well as the airline's cutting-edge 'ice' (information, communication, entertainment) system, which offers a selection of over 600 channels of entertainment on-demand and the ability to send and receive email and text messages from their personal in-seat entertainments systems.

In addition to Houston, Emirates has already unveiled plans to start services in 2007 to Venice in July, Newcastle in September, and Sao Paulo in October.

[guy_in_dubai]

whats wrong with that?

[guy_in_dubai]

whats wrong with that?

[metroreporter]

Emirates official airline for rugby World Cup
Staff Report



Paris: Dubai's Emirates airline yesterday became a sponsor of one of the world's biggest sporting events when it was named the official airline for Rugby World Cup 2007 in France.

This agreement, signed between Emirates and the Rugby World Cup Limited, sees the airline extend its sport sponsorship portfolio even further, making it one of the largest and most impressive in the world.

Gary Chapman, Emirates' president Group Services and Dnata, said: "Emirates is delighted to sponsor and support Rugby World Cup 2007. Rugby is a game that we are passionate about and we are excited to carry on supporting the global development of the game.

'Phenomenal event'

"The Rugby World Cup is a phenomenal event, always played in fantastic spirit and with the audiences that it attracts; it is a perfect fit for our brand. We are all looking forward to the kick-off in September."

Dr Syd Millar, IRB and Rugby World Cup Limited chairman, said: "Rugby World Cup Limited is delighted that Emirates has joined the impressive list of Tournament Sponsors for Rugby World Cup 2007. Emirates has been a committed supporter of rugby for many years."

Emirates has a strong affiliation with rugby. Emirates sponsors the IRB referees and match officials, four events in the IRB Sevens World Series: the Emirates Airline Dubai Rugby Sevens, the Emirates Airline South Africa Sevens, the Emirates Airline London Sevens and the Emirates Airline Edinburgh Sevens.



http://www.gulfnews.com/sport/Rugby/10103901.html

[Krazy]

Etihad passenger numbers more than double in 2006


Etihad Airways flew three million passengers in 2006, more than double the 1.2 million a year earlier, as the airline expands its network and its fleet.

The airline plans to fly four million passengers in 2007, it said in statement. The carrier said it transported 100,000 tonnes of cargo in 2006 and plans to double that figure in 2007. The airline also opened up 16 new routes over the past year.

“Etihad has seen unparalleled growth over the past 12 months with the momentum set to increase even further during 2007,” said Geert Boven, executive vice-president of sales and services at Etihad Airways.

The Abu Dhabi-based airline said on February 11 it planned to increase the number of its flights this summer by 18 per cent as it adds new routes and expands its fleet.

The carrier, which flies to 47 destinations worldwide, says it will need about 50 aircraft to meet its target of flying to 70 cities from Abu Dhabi by 2010.

In addition, Abu Dhabi, which has the fifth-largest oil reserves, is spending $6.8 billion (Dh24.9bn) to expand its airport to more than double the passengers it handles to 20 million a year by 2010.

Etihad has ordered 24 Airbus planes valued at $7bn (Dh25.6bn) and five Boeing 777-300ERs for a total of $1bn (Dh3.67bn).The airline will take delivery of four Airbus A330-200s and two A340-600s this summer.

Etihad Airways flew three mil- lion passengers in 2006, more than double the 1.2 million a year earlier, as the airline expands its network and its fleet. The airline plans to fly four million passengers in 2007, it said in statement. The carri- er said it transported 100,000 tonnes of cargo in 2006 and plans to double that fig- ure in 2007. The airline also opened up 16 new routes over the past year. “Etihad has seen unparal- leled growth over the past 12 months with the momentum set to increase even further during 2007,” said Geert Boven, executive vice-presi- dent of sales and services at Etihad Airways. The Abu Dhabi-based air- line said on February 11 it planned to increase the num- ber of its flights this summer by 18 per cent as it adds new routes and expands its fleet. The carrier, which flies to 47 destinations worldwide, says it will need about 50 air- craft to meet its target of fly- ing to 70 cities from Abu Dhabi by 2010. In addition, Abu Dhabi, which has the fifth-largest oil reserves, is spending $6.8 bil- lion (Dh24.9bn) to expand its airport to more than double the passengers it handles to 20 million a year by 2010. Etihad has ordered 24 Airbus planes valued at $7bn (Dh25.6bn) and five Boeing 777-300ERs for a total of $1bn (Dh3.67bn).The airline will take delivery of four Airbus A330-200s and two A340-600s this summer.

[Krazy]

RAK Airways to spend $2.25bn on 15 planes

RAK Airways said it plans to order 15 passenger aircraft from Airbus or Boeing, to meet the growing demand for air travel in the Middle East.

RAK Airways, which is set to launch its operations in April with two Boeing 757200 aircraft leased from Spain’s Iberia, will decide in 2010 whether to order twinengine A330-200s from Airbus or 787 models from Boeing, the carrier’s chief executive, Jack Romero, said yesterday.

An A330-200 costs $150 million (Dh550m) at list prices, valuing an order at about $2.25 billion (Dh8.25bn).

“The growth in this region is phenomenal,” Romero said on the sidelines of a Middle East Economic Digest investment conference in Ras Al Khaimah.

“Passenger growth is 15 to 16 per cent per year in the Gulf Arab region,” he said.

RAK Airways, which is majority-owned by private GCC institutions and investors, expects to carry 250,000 passengers in its first year of operations and as many as 2.7 million after five years, according to Romero. The airline is holding “preliminary” talks with regional and international investment banks about its borrowing plans and may also consider the sale of shares in an initial public offering “within five years,” said Romero.

Romero said the airline would only decide in 2010 whether to purchase Airbus’ A330-200 aircraft or Boeing’s 787, also known as the Dreamliner.

If RAK Airways were to choose the Dreamliner, which is still being developed, the carrier would fly 757 and 767300 AR jets until the 787 becomes available to the market, Romero added.

RAK Airways’ first destinations will be India and Iran, both countries of which have large numbers of citizens liv ing in the UAE. In the second year, the airline will add three other South Asian destinations – Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, Romero said.

In the third year, the airline expects to fly to Russia and Commonwealth of Independent States, as well as to European destinations such as Germany and Scandinavia, Romero said. (Agencies)

[farnush]

yohooooooo Rak Ways way to go

[sesh101]

DP World plans second airport near Kolkata
Udit Prasanna Mukherji in Kolkata


December 22, 2006 09:17 IST

DP World (formerly known as Dubai Ports) is keen on setting up a greenfield airport in West Bengal near Kolkata, which is a long standing demand of the ruling Left Front government.

The global port giant, which operates 19 terminals worldwide, could invest up to Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 120 billion) (2.7Billion US Dolllars)in the greenfield airport. The firm of Consulting Engineering Services is now doing the feasibility study of a second airport near Kolkata and is likely to submit its report soon.

It may be noted Dubai Ports took over UK-based port operator P&O Ports last year in a global deal. However, the deal later created furore in United States as P&O operates a few terminals in the US also.

A few US Senators also demanded cancellation of licence of P&O terminals following the change in ownership.

Sources close to the development said that a high level team of DP World, led by the Sultan of Dubai, is likely to visit Kolkata on January 7 to discuss the details about the greenfield airport and Kulpi Port.
The West Bengal government is very interested in the proposal as the Left parties have already made it clear that they are not averse to foreign direct investment in greenfield airports.
Dubai Ports World has expressed interst in develoiping a greenfield airport in Kolkata, India. Does anyone know of the other airorts that Dubai ports World operates other than the one in Djibuti?
Is the Dubai Ports World(DPW) investment proposal the same as one from Dubai Aerospace Enterprises(DAE)?
I know a lot of these government holding companies are linked together but my understanding was that DAE was the consortium set up to develop Asian airports by the Dubai government?Are DPW and DAE competing against each other now in greenfield airport investments?
Personally, I think it's pretty clear that DAE is a better airport operator.
Any comments welcome?

[sesh101]

DP World plans second airport near Kolkata
Udit Prasanna Mukherji in Kolkata


December 22, 2006 09:17 IST

DP World (formerly known as Dubai Ports) is keen on setting up a greenfield airport in West Bengal near Kolkata, which is a long standing demand of the ruling Left Front government.

The global port giant, which operates 19 terminals worldwide, could invest up to Rs 12,000 crore (Rs 120 billion) (2.7Billion US Dolllars)in the greenfield airport. The firm of Consulting Engineering Services is now doing the feasibility study of a second airport near Kolkata and is likely to submit its report soon.

It may be noted Dubai Ports took over UK-based port operator P&O Ports last year in a global deal. However, the deal later created furore in United States as P&O operates a few terminals in the US also.

A few US Senators also demanded cancellation of licence of P&O terminals following the change in ownership.

Sources close to the development said that a high level team of DP World, led by the Sultan of Dubai, is likely to visit Kolkata on January 7 to discuss the details about the greenfield airport and Kulpi Port.
The West Bengal government is very interested in the proposal as the Left parties have already made it clear that they are not averse to foreign direct investment in greenfield airports.

Dubai Ports World has expressed interest in developing a greenfield airport in Kolkata, India. Does anyone know of the other airorts that Dubai ports World operates other than the one in Djibuti?
Is the Dubai Ports World(DPW) investment proposal the same as one from Dubai Aerospace Enterprises(DAE)?
I know a lot of these government holding companies are linked together but my understanding was that DAE was the consortium set up to develop Asian airports by the Dubai government?Are DPW and DAE competing against each other now in greenfield airport investments?
Personally, I think it's pretty clear that DAE is a better airport operator.
Any comments welcome?

[smussuw]

The article isn't accurate. You are mixing DP World, the seaports operator with DAE, the airport operator.

DP World is part of Dubai World company. Istithmar which is also owned by Dubai World owns 12.5% of DAE.

DAE is a new company which hasn't started operating yet. It's capital is $15 billion and has 6 divisions which are capital, manufacturing, university, airport, engineering and services.

DP World, the seaport operate, operates in over 50 locations in the world in every continent.

[DUBAI]

Antartica?

[sesh101]

^. Yes, I'm aware that DAE is a new company set up by the Dubai government to run airport operations mainly in Asia. Really what my question is is why is Dubai Ports World (another government wing)interested in building airports when Dubai Aerospace Enterprises was set up specifically by the government to do just that and run airports. Shouldn't DPW be primarily concerend with ports, not airports?
Any idea when DAE will start operating? It has some role in the Dubai World Central project, I know that much, but what about operating airports in India China, etc aswell?
The amount specified for investment in the Kolkata airport is a very large amount indeed at 2.7 billion dollars(12,000 crore), compared to the new greenfield Bangalore and Hyderbad airports are costing only about 2,000 crore.

[smussuw]

That is why am saying that the article is not accurate. DP World has nothing to do with airport.

[sesh101]

I think the article is accurate as DPW do operate an airport in Djibuti, and perhaps are looking at operating another airport in Kolkata. However, DPW has very little experience in running world class airports apart from what I'm presuming to be a small operation in Djibuti as it already operates a port there.
DAE is a very strong consortium with plenty of funding and some very good partners such as Emaar,Dnata for ground handling etc , and would be a more natural choice to set up this airport. In fact it was set up specifically to build airports in India and China mainly, it seems very much like Dubai's version of Singapore's Changi Airports International.

[smussuw]

As far as I know DP World treat Djibouti as a private ownership

They operate the port, the airport, freezone and a hotel. I dont think that operating airport is one of their priorities though. It comes with the package.