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Gulf Air begins service to Najaf
Gulf Air, Bahrain's national announced the beginning of its new four times weekly service to Najaf in Iraq. The new service will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays until October 25, after which it will go daily, the airline said.
Abu Dhabi International Airport sees 12.4% growth
Abu Dhabi Airports Company said it has recorded a 12.4% increase in aircraft movements, a 6.2% increase in cargo and a 2.5% increase in total passenger movement through the capital's international airport in the month of August. The top five destinations recorded a total of 200,607 passengers, with London in the top spot with 51,757 passengers. Bangkok took second place with 38,828 passengers, whilst Bahrain, Doha and Cairo came in third, fourth and fifth respectively with a total of 101,314 passengers.
Dubai set to become world's fourth biggest aviation hub
As per the latest projections by Airbus, Dubai is expected to become the world's fourth biggest aviation hub after Hong Kong, London Heathrow and Beijing. According to the Airports Council International (ACI), Dubai has already become the world's sixth biggest aviation hub, overtaking Singapore's Changi last year. Combined aircraft orders by UAE-based carriers have already crossed the 400 mark with a book value exceeding $128bn including $72bn placed by Emirates and $43bn announced by Etihad in recent years. UAE authorities are pumping in about $20bn to expand aviation infrastructure. (Mac Capital Advisors)
NBAD and DVB launch aviation fund
National Bank of Abu Dhabi (NBAD) and specialist transport financiers DVB Bank (DVB) have signed a 50:50 joint venture to launch an aviation investment fund. The fund, which is expected to reach $1bn in assets over the coming two years, will invest in aviation assets - mainly aircraft and engines on lease to international airlines. The pair will manage the fund and as co-sponsors, will also proportionately invest in the fund alongside the investor base, which will primarily be from GCC countries. Late last year DVB Bank signed a deal with Kuwaiti low-cost carrier Jazeera Airways and third partner National Bank of Kuwait to launch a $375m aviation leasing firm, called Sahaab Aircraft Leasing.
Gulf Air to launch Iraqi Kurdistan route
Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air will begin flying to the Kurdish region of Iraq from the end of October. It will fly between the kingdom's capital Manama and Arbil in Iraqi Kurdistan, although a schedule has yet to be announced. Tahir al-Horami, director of Arbil International Airport, said that the route was the start an important channel links the Kurdish region to the rest of the world.
Air Arabia announces winter fares
Sharjah-based budget airline, Air Arabia has announced its new low fares for the winter season to all 46 destinations from its hub in Sharjah. The new fares, which come with additional baggage allowance of up to 32kg and a hand baggage allowance of 7kg, are valid for travel from September 27, 2009 to March 31, 2010. Air Arabia has seen passenger numbers rise 20% this year, to 1.95 million people.
UIA opens Kiev to Abu Dhabi route
In cooperation with Etihad Airways, the Ukraine International Airlines (UIA) flew direct from Kiev to Abu Dhabi for the first time yesterday. The airline will fly the route twice a week - on Mondays and Fridays - which will increase to three times a week from late November, adding a Wednesday flight.
Major UAE airlines back CO2 emission cuts
Dubai' Emirates Airlines and Abu Dhabi's Eithad Airways are backing the the move of the international airline industry to significantly cut carbon dioxide emissions, Gulf News has reported. Emirates has said it is investing in eco-efficient aircraft fleets as part of its contribution to environmental protection, while Etihad has said it has a combination of initiatives such as fuel efficiency measures and the adoption of new technologies, such as bio-fuels. The airline added it is supportive of market-based mechanisms such as emissions trading.
Gulf Air ups baggage allowance
Gulf Air, Bahrain's national carrier plans to increase its free checked baggage allowance in all three classes starting from October 1. The carrier's First, Business and Economy baggage allowances will all increase by 10kgs taking them to 50kgs, 40kgs and 30kgs respectively. Gold and Silver members of Gulf Air's frequent flyer programme are also entitled to an additional baggage allowance of 15kgs for silver members and 20kgs for gold card members,
Scandinavian low-cost carrier to up Dubai flights
Europe's fifth-largest low-cost airline and the second-largest airline in Scandinavia, Norwegian Air Shuttle ASA has announced that it will increase its four-days-a week timetable for flights from Scandinavia to Dubai to a daily service during the winter season 2009-10, Gulf News has reported. The privately-owned carrier, which launched Dubai flights last autumn, will fly three times weekly from Oslo and Stockholm each and once weekly from Copenhagen starting from October 15.
Flydubai to launch Azerbaijan route
Dubai's low-cost airline, Flydubai is preparing to start direct flights between Dubai and the Azeri capital, Baku, according to local site abc.az. The only current flights between UAE and Azerbaijan are served by Azerbaijan Airlines.
Middle East to lead air traffic growth
A new study predicts that international air passenger traffic in the Middle East will grow 6.6% over the next decade, which would be faster than any other region in the world. The latest Global Market Forecast by Airbus also said it expects the number of planes serving the region to nearly triple by 2028.
Air France to serve Dubai with A380
Air France has announced it will reduce its services to Dubai from 14 weekly flights to a daily service, but will offset the reduction by introducing its A380 aircraft on the route, according to UK-based Business Traveller magazine. The superjumbo is scheduled to operate on the route from January 18, 2010. The change is part of the airline's 2009 winter schedule.
Saudi Arabia, India ink expanded air services agreement
Saudi Arabia and India have amended their air services agreement to allow for more airlines to serve the two countries and to increase the weekly capacity. Currently, only Saudi Arabian Airlines and Air India operate services between the two countries. The new amendment enables both sides to 'designate any number of airlines as they wish' to operate services, according to India's aviation ministry. The two countries have also agreed to an open skies agreement for all cargo services with full third and fourth freedom traffic rights.
Flydubai plans rapid growth
Low-cost carrier Flydubai will add eight new destinations by the year's end and plans to expand at a faster pace until 2011, Gulf Times has reported. The airline will focus not only on destinations covered by full-service airlines such as Emirates and Etihad, but also on smaller, secondary cities in the region, Flydubai's CEO, Ghaith al-Ghaith said. The airline carried its 100,000th passenger in August, three months after launching.
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