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Middle East Airlines re-elects chairman
Lebanon's national carrier, Middle East Airlines (MEA), has re-elected Mohammad Hout as chairman, the Daily Star has reported. The carier, which is expected to make a net profit of $100m at the end of 2009, acquired several new Airbus planes this year and started weekly flights to Baghdad in November, after a cessation of more than two decades, according to the the newspaper.
Etihad to fly daily to Kathmandu
Etihad Airways has announced it will increase its Abu Dhabi-Kathmandu services from four to seven flights per week from January 2010. The additional flights came in response to growing load factors of between 80% and 90% on the route, the carrier said. The airline has also announced the appointment of Ken Marshall as its country manager in Nepal.
Muscat airport passenger numbers up
Oman's Muscat International Airport has recorded a 19% growth in its number of passengers during the first ten months of this year, compared to the same period last year. The total passenger arrivals and departures through the airport by the end of October this year amounted to 2,643,900 passengers, compared to 2,227,000 passengers during the same period last year.
Boeing pushes 777 fix
US aircraft maker, Boeing Co. is recommending that airlines fix thrust reversers on its 777 airliner to ensure heat from the engines will not cause damage, the Associated Press has reported. Replacing insulation blankets, in addition to other changes, will keep the area around the thrust reverser cooler, Boeing said. The new service bulletin applies to 225 aircraft around the world, it said.
Emirates to launch Amsterdam flights
Emirates Airline has said it will launch a daily, non-stop service from Dubai to Amsterdam from May 1, 2010. The airline's 23rd route into Europe will be operated with a combination of 777-200LR and 777-300ER aircraft, with a three-class configuration.
Emirates to receive two A380s
Dubai-based Emirates Airline has announced it will take delivery of two Airbus A380 superjumbos in December, Reuters has reported. The two A380s will be deployed to Seoul from December 14 and Paris two weeks later, the airline said.
Dreamliner test flight expected in December
Boeing has set December 22 as target date for the maiden flight of its new 787 Dreamliner, as it has successfully completed the wing test that the jet failed last May, the Seattle Times has reported, citing two sources familiar with the test outcome. Last Monday, the jet had its wings filled with jet fuel for initial engine runs and system tests, which will be followed by taxi tests. The plane is then expected to fly by Christmas.
IATA: MidEast passenger demand up
The International Air Transport Association has said that Middle Eastern carriers saw the highest passenger demand increase among the regions at 14.3%, compared to 18.2% in September. Capacity of the region's airlines had outpaced the growth in demand by climbing 15.3% in October.
Royal Jordanian plays down merger talk
Royal Jordanian Airlines' new president and chief executive, Hussein Dabbas has said that reports of merger plans with another airline within two years, have taken certain remarks out of context, Aviation International News website has reported. The airline, while enjoying its 'OneWorld' alliance grouping, 'is open to suggestions.' if a stronger alliance is needed in the Middle East or other markets, Dabbas said.
Qatar slams Boeing over delivery delays
Akbar Al Baker, CEO of Qatar Airways has told the BBC that aircraft orders made to Boeing could be cancelled if delivery commitments have not been met, the Peninsula has reported. 'I am not playing with words...I want my aircraft earlier...We gave them an ultimatum to accept the conditions because they have been continuously delaying the delivery,' Al Baker told the Stephen Sackur, host of the BBC's HardTalk show.
Emirates boss says airline will not be affected by debt crisis
The president of Emirates Airlines said The Dubai business community was 'shocked' by the debt crisis which has struck the emirate, Emirates Airline President Tim Clark told the Sunday Telegraph newspaper. 'We are all a bit shocked by what's happened and the global fall-out of the past 24 hours,' he said. 'But Dubai will navigate itself out of this, as will we. I am confident that the airline will not be affected by this.'
Avia Trust to expand aircraft support facility
Avia Trust, an aircraft support services firm based in Dubai Airport Freezone, plans to expand its facility by 100% with another warehouse and office to meet increased business and customer requirements, Gulf News has reported. 'I am confident that 2010 will be an even better and profitable year,' Mahmoud Amini, Avia Trust's general manager told the daily. The firm is engaged in aircraft support services, supplying aircraft parts, leasing, repairing and support for aircraft.
UK firm wins Kuwait airport design contract
Kuwait's ministry of public works has awarded UK-based Foster & Partners a KD19m ($66.7m) contract to design the country's new airport passenger terminal, Bloomberg has reported. The new KD213m terminal, scheduled for completion by November 2016, will have an annual capacity of 13 million passengers, taking the emirate's total capacity to 20 million.
Emirates increases Middle East flights
Emirates Airline has announced plans to launch three more flights per week to Amman, Jordan beginning December 1. The Dubai-based carrier is also adding an extra flight to Doha, Qatar from the same date, bringing the airline's total number of flights per week to Middle Eastern destinations from 197 to 201.
Oman Air launches new three-class service from Heathrow
Oman Air has launched a new three-class service aboard its new A330-300 aircraft on its flagship Muscat - London Heathrow route. The new service features new first class, business class and economy class cabins. The first class cabin has just six seats and offers the longest lie-flat bed available on any commercial airliner, the carrier said.
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