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Middle East Aviation Thread

240K views 312 replies 76 participants last post by  cbeboy 
#1 ·
New domestic airlines have started in the Gulf and the Gulf also has good international airlines so I think Middle East Aviation should have its own thread. Liverys, news, pictures, airports, etc are examples of what one could post in this thread.
 
#151 ·
Royal Jordanian negotiating for 12 787s through direct purchase and lease contracts

Royal Jordanian's President and CEO, Eng. Samer A. Majali, said that the strategic decision to purchase Boeing's revolutionary twin-aisle jet positions the airline to achieve its plans for continued growth and increased profitability.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Royal Jordanian today announced an order for Boeing's highly sought-after 787 Dreamliner, confirming two unidentified customer purchases previously listed on Boeing's Orders & Deliveries website.

The announcement was made at the World Economic Forum, an event sanctioned by the Jordanian royal family and held at the King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center on Jordan's Dead Sea. Royal Jordanian is the first Middle East airline to announce an order for Boeing's 787, the fastest-selling new commercial airplane ever built. Royal Jordanian plans to confirm the purchase of its two outstanding options before the end of the year. The airline also intends to take an additional eight Boeing 787s on lease. The first aircraft will join the fleet in 2010.

'Today marks a milestone in Royal Jordanian's proud history,' Majali said. 'Looking to our plans for future growth, we see the superior economics and unique passenger comfort features of the 787 bringing even greater recognition to Royal Jordanian as we fulfill our commitment to provide world-class service to our passengers.'

Royal Jordanian was created in 1963 by a Royal Decree issued by His Majesty the late King Hussein, who was also known to be an excellent pilot. In 2006, Royal Jordanian received Air Transport World's Phoenix award in recognition of the airline having gone through a major transformation of its strategy and operations, resulting in consecutive years of profitable growth. Royal Jordanian also received a merit award from The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) for 2006 Airline Turnaround of the Year.

Beginning April 1, Royal Jordanian became a member of the oneworld™ airline alliance, offering even more extensive connectivity and flight options for its passengers traveling globally. Royal Jordanian continues to experience successive annual growth, with passenger loads showing a 20% increase from 2006.

'Royal Jordanian's distinguished history and recognized success over the last three years is admirable,' said Lee Monson, Boeing Commercial Airplane's vice president of sales for the Middle East & Africa. 'It's very satisfying for Boeing to see such a well-respected airline choosing the 787 Dreamliner as the core airplane for its international long-haul service.'

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, scheduled for entry into service in 2008, provides passengers with a better flying experience, and operators with a more efficient commercial jetliner.

With the 787 Dreamliner, Boeing continues its leadership and innovation with a mostly composite airplane that uses significantly less fuel per passenger than similarly sized airplanes. The 787 is designed for the environment with lower carbon emissions and quieter takeoffs and landings. Inside the airplane, passengers will find cleaner air, bigger windows, more stowage space and improved lighting.

Since the 787 launch in April 2004, 44 customers worldwide have logged 568 orders, making the Dreamliner the most successful commercial airplane launch in history.

Present at the press conference were the Jordanian Minister of Transport, the American Ambassador in Amman, RJ's Chairman of the Board of Directors and a number of officials.
 
#152 ·
QR firms up 80 A350XWB aircraft, orders 3 more A380s and 3 more A320's!!


Qatar Airways has signed a contract for the purchase of 80 of the all-new Airbus A350 XWB aircraft and also placed an order for a further three A380s, bringing their total order for the type to five.


Qatar Airways also ordered 3 A32S aircraft.

"Additionally, Qatar is ordering three new single-aisle jets of Airbus's A320 family."



I think this is the world's largest order of airplanes at one time!:banana: :banana: :banana:
 
#154 ·
Qatar Airways seals $17bn Airbus order

doha • Qatar Airways yesterday confirmed a $16bn order for 80 Airbus A350s making the airline the single largest customer of the European aircraft manufacturer’s newest commercial jet.

The airline has also increased its orders for the widebody Airbus A380s from two to five aircraft, a release said. A separate agreement for three additional A380s worth almost $1bn in total was also announced.

At a press conference held on the opening day of the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget yesterday, Qatar Airways’ Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker confirmed the orders in the presence of Airbus President Louis Gallois.

The A350 deal replaces original plans announced two years ago by Qatar Airways to purchase 60 A350s. The airline has now opted for the redesigned Extra Widebody (XWB) version of the A350 in three different variants. Qatar Airways’ commitment announced yesterday is for 20 Airbus A350-800s, 40 A350-900s and 20 A350-1000s, the latter being a stretch version of the new aircraft. Qatar Airways is the launch customer of the A350-1000XWB variant.

The A350-XWB, depending upon variant, will have between 260 and 350 seats in Qatar Airways’ typical two-class configuration and will be used to operate on key routes across the airline’s international network covering Europe, Africa, Far East and the Indian subcontinent.

Deliveries are set to begin in August 2013 and will gradually replace the Airbus A330s, which are currently the backbone of Qatar Airways’ fleet. Al Baker said the announcement finally ended months of protracted negotiations with Airbus over the design of the A350-XWB. “This deal has been a long time coming but clearly demonstrates Qatar Airways’ commitment to this new generation aircraft,” he said, speaking at a press conference at Le Bourget.

“This large A350-XWB order, comprising all three variants, underlines the confidence that Qatar Airways has in Airbus’ capability to produce an outstanding, new generation twin-engine widebody aircraft for entry into service from 2013.

Rolls-Royce, meanwhile, announced the largest-ever firm engine order for its civil aerospace business in an order with Qatar Airways worth $5.6bn at list prices, which includes a TotalCare long-term services agreement. The order is for Trent XWB engines to power the new fleet of 80 Airbus A350XWB twinjets.

Qatar Airways has, and will continue to, work with Airbus and Rolls-Royce in the definition and optimisation of an outstanding family of aircraft.“

Qatar Airways is the largest Airbus operator in the Middle East, currently flying 58 all-Airbus aircraft, including the A319s, A320s, A321s, A330s and A340s. Qatar Airways is also a launch customer of the with five now on order for deliveries beginning in 2010.
 
#155 ·
Etihad Airways orders 12 wide-body Airbus aircraft

Etihad Airways, the national airline of the United Arab Emirates has signed a firm contract for the purchase of 12 Airbus wide-body aircraft including the newest model in its freighter product range, the A330-200F. The order is for five A330-200s, four A340-600s and three A330-200Fs.

The agreement was signed by James Hogan, Etihad Chief Executive and Louis Gallois, Airbus President and CEO, at a ceremony at the 47th International Paris Air show at Le Bourget.



“This aircraft order will enable Etihad to continue its impressive route network growth which now stands at 43 global destinations. Each Airbus aircraft within the new order has been specifically chosen to fit our ambitious development plans” said James Hogan, Etihad Chief Executive, who attended the ceremony.

At present, Etihad have a fleet of 21 Airbus aircraft with 11 to be delivered. Taking the latest order into account, the Etihad Airbus fleet will grow to 44 aircraft.



“Etihad is one of the world’s dynamic airlines and we’re delighted we are continuing to build on our partnership. I am particularly proud about Etihad’s faith in our A340 aircraft which really do offer outstanding performance and unparalleled levels passenger comfort. I am also delighted Etihad have chosen the A330 which is simply the leading aircraft type in this sector,” said Louis Gallois, Airbus President and CEO.



The A330 wide-body aircraft is the unquestioned leader in its class with a commanding market share and a continually expanding operator base. It has excellent flexibility for a wide range of route structures, providing the operator with proven low operating cost per seat as well as the widest and most comfortable cabin in its category.



The A330-200F freighter can carry 64 metric tonnes over 4,000 nautical miles/7,400 kilometres or 69 metric tonnes up to 3,200 nautical miles/5,930 kilometres. With unrivalled volume and range capacity in its class and flexibility to carry a wide variety of pallet and container sizes for maximum interlining capability, the A330-200F offers new and established cargo operators to offer new routes with the most modern and economically efficient freighter aircraft.



The A340-600 is the largest member of Airbus’ A330/A340 Family, and is the most modern aircraft in the 250-375-seater segment flying today. With four engines, the A340 offers unrivalled operational economics and flexibility on ultra-long-haul non-stop routes over remote oceans and terrains such as mountain ranges and the Polar Regions. Airbus is an EADS company.


© 2007 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
 
#159 ·
By the way, I recently saw a nice cartoon on The Herald Tribune, it went something like this:

You see a Boeing 787 dreamliner and next to it a sign that says:

"Save!
Buy Boeing!"

And then you see an Airbus 350XWB with a sign that says:

"Buy!
Save Airbus!"

:lol:
 
#162 ·
Saud low-cost carrier "Nas Air" purchase 98 new aircrafts

MENAFN - Arab News) RIYADH, 26 June 2007 — The National Air Services (NAS) has allocated SR15.5 billion for the purchase of 98 new aircraft in the next five years, NAS Chairman Ayed Al-Jeaid said in a press conference at the company's headquarters here yesterday.

He said arrangements for the acquisitions were made with different airlines such as Airbus, Boeing, Gulfstream, Dassault and Raytheon.

"Following the signing of a number of purchase agreements, NAS will increase its fleet size to include 142 over the next five years, thus becoming one of the most significant companies operating in the commercial and private aviation sectors in the Middle East," Al-Jeaid said.

NAS, the largest and fastest growing independent provider of aviation services in the Middle East which currently operates 44 aircraft, is the region's sole provider of both commercial and private aviation services through its four distinct strategic business units, offering its customers innovative and total solutions to meet their various aviation needs.

The company is also the Middle East representative of NetJets, offering fractional ownership and leasing options, and has been providing this service for the last six years along with full portfolio of aircraft management services solutions.

To complement its package of products, NAS also offers two commercial services.

These include Al-Khayala Airlines, a scheduled all-business class service between Riyadh and Jeddah as well as regional flights to Dubai, and the recently launched NASair, which is the Kingdom's first domestic budget carrier.

Al-Jeaid said in the first half of 2007, NAS finalized four of the biggest deals — in terms of quantity and quality — made by the private sector in the history of aviation markets in the Middle East.

"The latest of these deals was announced during the Paris Airshow at Le Bourget where NAS signed agreements with Airbus for the purchase of 38 Airbus 320 aircraft valued above SR9 billion, and with Dassault Falcon to buy 20 of its new large cabin business jet, the Falcon 2000LX, for over SR1.9 billion," he said.

He added that last month, NAS also announced a similar deal with Gulfstream Aerospace Company to buy 20 long-range G450 business jet at a cost of SR2.6 billion, only four months after the company purchased 20 new Hawker 750 aircraft from Raytheon at a cost of SR1 billion.

"NAS will finance the aggressive acquisition plans via local, regional and international financial institutions. It will also rely on creative financial instruments that will provide attractive investment venues to capital market investors," Al-Jeaid said. He said that the aircraft selection is the result of extensive studies and vigorous negotiations with the manufacturers aimed at building long-term partnerships.

"We have taken into account the diverse needs of the company's services and its aircraft requirements in terms of frame size, load capacity, performance levels and operational cost," he said.

He added that the recent announcement with Airbus constitutes the core fleet of NASair and allows the new budget carrier to operate new domestic and international destinations in the near future.


Last December, the Saudi General Authority of Civil Aviation granted NAS the first license to operate scheduled domestic flights from Riyadh and in February, launched the Kingdom's first budget carrier under the commercial name "NASair."

The addition of 60 aircraft from three different categories is expected to enhance the company's aircraft fractional ownership and lease program (NetJets) and cater to the needs of the largest segment of the private aviation sector throughout the region.

Al-Jeaid said that strengthening NAS' fleet and providing clients with innovative aviation solutions through professional teams play pivotal roles in expanding the company's clientele base across many segments of traveling community in the Kingdom and in the Middle East.

"Now, more than ever, our clients are interested in alternatives to secure outstanding service with better return. NAS also seeks to achieve a rewarding return on investment for the company's shareholders," he said.

NAS is expecting to sell a portion of the company via IPO next year to share its success with Saudi investors in the capital market.

Al-Jeaid added that the company is continuously working on recruiting high caliber professionals from the national and international markets as part of its ongoing employment strategy for the needs of the company's strategic business units.

He pointed out that sound economic indicators, heightened corporate travels, the need for efficient travel services and the liberalization of many of the region's aviation sector "leads to a travel market boom and the creation of a healthy environment with many attractive opportunities."

"Our fleet expansion plans are due to the high demand for private and commercial aviation services which the region is likely to witness in the next 10 years," he said.

According to recent statistics, Middle East is witnessing phenomenal growth rates compared to other international markets with 8 percent and 7 percent annual growth rates for the private and commercial aviation, respectively.
 
#163 ·
Qatar Airways Flies To NewYork Today !!!!

DOHA • Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Akbar Al Baker will lead a host of dignitaries as the airline embarks on its inaugural flight to the US and New York at 8.40am this morning. The airline will use Newark's Liberty International Airport as its port of entry into New York.

Flight QR083 will be making the journey via Geneva-its second Swiss destination after Zurich-where it will halt for approximately one hour and 45 minutes. The New York service will be operated utilising Airbus A330 aircraft.

Other than senior airline and government officials, media from Doha and Dubai will also be making the trip. In Geneva, Swiss aviation authorities are expected to greet the flight and a water arch is planned both in Switzerland and in Newark soon after Flight QR083's arrival.

The A330 flights to the US will have a three-class configuration with 12 seats in First Class, 18 in Business Class and 208 in Economy Class.

In New York, Al Baker will address a media briefing on June 27 and on the following day, a gala dinner will take place where well-known singer and ex-Supreme Diana Ross will be among the featured guests at an event which will see other luminaries from the Big Apple.

Al Baker had said recently the airline will be increasing the frequency of its flights to New York to daily by the end of next year gradually increasing its number of flights until then. At present, flights will depart Doha on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.

The airline is due to its start its daily non-stop service to Washington DC from July 19.
 
#164 ·
Qatar Airways orders 30 787's Dreamliners!

" Boeing Co. won an order for its 787 Dreamliner planes from Qatar Airways, the biggest customer for competitor Airbus SAS's A350 airliner.The carrier, with a growth rate surpassed only by Emirates in the Arab world, was revealed as a customer during the aircraft's rollout ceremony today with its tail logo presented as a Dreamliner customer"
"Boeing spokesman Jim Condelles confirmed that the Doha-based Qatar has ordered the plane"
"the contract value and size of the order were not disclosed"


:banana:
 
#165 ·
Kuwait puts in $1.6bn Boeing order

Kuwaiti's Aviation Lease and Finance Company (Alafco) said on Saturday it had ordered 10 more of Boeing Co.'s 787 Dreamliner planes, worth about $1.6 billion at list prices, bringing its total of 787s on order to 22.

In March, the aircraft financing company placed an order for 12 787s, Boeing's new carbon-composite and titanium jetliner, which promises to cut airlines' fuel costs by 20%.

Alafco's latest order was announced at a Boeing event in Seattle the day before the first 787 rolls off the production line at its nearby plant in Everett, Washington.

Source
 
#167 ·
MUSLIM MAN BOOTED OFF A PLANE

http://icnewcastle.icnetwork.co.uk/...objectid=19424703&siteid=50081-name_page.html
A young Muslim was booted off a plane at a North airport after asking cabin crew if he could pray before his flight, we can reveal.

The incident happened when the country was on high alert last weekend after an alleged terrorist attack at Glasgow airport.

A source told us that the man - who has not been named - boarded a Thomsonfly flight at Newcastle International Airport bound for a holiday in Malaga, Spain, with friends.

He asked staff if he could go in the galley area - which can be curtained off from passengers - and offer prayers before the flight took off.

However - according to our source - the flight attendant asked the plane's captain who promptly ordered the man off the aircraft.


Story continues
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Northumbria Police officers were waiting for the man in the departure lounge and searched him under terrorism laws.

All they found was a bottle of water, used by Muslims to wash themselves before prayer, a compass to ensure he was facing the holy city of Mecca, and a traditional prayer-mat.

The flight - TOM 4125 from Newcastle to Malaga - took off an hour later than its scheduled 4.20pm departure time last Sunday.

A spokeswoman for Thomson said: "The captain has the right to remove passengers from a flight if he feels their behaviour is detrimental to other customers. For legal reasons, we are unable to comment any further."

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "We were called to the airport just before 5.15pm on Sunday after concerns were raised about a passenger.

"We attended and searched the man and found that no offence had been committed and everything was in order. The man was not arrested."

Azad Ali, executive leader of the counter-terrorism section of the Muslim Safety Forum, which liaises with police forces, appealed through the Sunday Sun for the man to come forward.

He said: "If the man feels hard done by then he will be upset by this.

"If he feels it difficult to gain resolution in Newcastle he can log onto our website and email us his details.

"We will then go to the Association of Chief Police Officers and ask them to look into it.

"However, it looks as if the airline itself is guilty of over reaction in this incident.

"There is a tendency for some people to blame an entire community for the actions of individuals. It's guilt by association."

The drama unfolded at a time that the security level was at its highest following the abortive car bombs found in London and the attack on Glasgow Airport where two men drove a Jeep Cherokee into the main terminal building.

The vehicle had gas cylinders on board . . . which have the potential to cause huge explosions. It is believed the gas cylinders and the car came from Teesside.

A total of eight suspects, all of them connected with the NHS, have been arrested since the Glasgow airport attack and the two failed car bombs discovered in central London the previous day.
 
#171 ·
Kuwait to Sell 80% of Kuwait Airways

Govt. to sell majority in Kuwait Airways


Kuwait: The Kuwaiti government wants to sell an 80 per cent stake in loss-making national carrier Kuwait Airways, state news agency KUNA said on Tuesday.

Acting Parliamentary Affairs Minister Abdulwahed Al Awadhi told KUNA the government wanted to sell 40 per cent of the firm in an initial public offering (IPO).

Another 40 per cent would be offered in an auction for firms listed on the Kuwaiti stock market, while the government would keep a 20 per cent stake.

KAC staff would be entitled to an unidentified percentage of the IPO at a "preferential" price, KUNA said, without elaborating. IPOs in the Gulf Arab state are often only open to
Kuwaitis, a main government tool to share wealth.

Parliament's financial and economic committee earlier on Tuesday approved the government plan to sell the carrier which now goes to the floor.

Under the government plan, KAC staff will get incentives to leave the company, which analysts see as overstaffed. Employees would be entitled to a five-year salary if they decided to leave or could transfer to a government body at the same salary level.

KAC management has been keen to privatise the company to make it more competitive, but many parliamentarians have rejected such as moves, saying this would endanger jobs for Kuwaitis.

KAC, which has posted losses for several years, last month placed an order with local firm Aviation Lease and Finance Co. to supply it with 19 Airbus and Boeing planes. The deal is pending cabinet approval.

Gulfnews
________________________

Thank GOD !!!! :lol:
 
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