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Jazeera rules out second Gulf hub
Stefan Pichler, CEO of Kuwait-based low-cost carrier, Jazeera Airways has ruled out establishing its second hub in a Gulf state, as fierce competition within the GCC has made locations outside the region more favourable, Emirates Business has reported. 'We are working on a second hub and our plans are pretty advanced. We are in the good position of not having to reveal it now; we can finish our homework and then launch it. We will announce the next hub within the next four to six months,' he said.
Gulf Air receives first craft in re-fleet programme
Marking the start of its re-fleeting programme, Gulf Air has taken delivery of the first of 15 new 'fuel efficient' Airbus A320 aircraft into the fleet. Powered by CFM56 engines, the new A320 aircraft can carry 136 passengers in a two class configuration with 16 business class and 120 economy class seats. The new A320 aircraft together with the nine others that will follow between now and the end of 2010, will replace the airline's older narrow body aircraft, the carrier's CEO, Samer Majali said.
Oman Air launches Paris service
Oman Air has launched its non-stop scheduled services between Muscat and Paris-Charles de Gaulle. The new route will be run four times per week. The carrier has recently taken delivery of its second A330-300. Powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700 engines, the A330 will be configured in a three-class layout with six First, 20 Business and 196 Economy seats.
IATA: Carriers up fuel effeciency pledge
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has said that the world's airlines have agreed to new fuel efficiency and carbon emission targets which go much further than the levels required through regulation, Reuters has reported. Carriers, airports and aerospace firms had pledged to improve fuel efficiency by 1.5% a year annually until 2020, IATA said. 'No other industry has been able to achieve what we have done,' IATA Director-General Giovanni Bisignani said. 'We are on the high ground and government must now catch up.'
Royal Falcon ups Iraq service
Jordan-based Royal Falcon Airline has announced the launch of its first flight on Friday to the Iraqi city of Najaf, Petra news agency has reported. The carrier will operate two weekly flights to the southern Iraqi city using Boeing 373-400 aircraft. The company has recently also launched two weekly flights to Mosul.
Saudi Alwafeer plans IPO
Adnan Dabbagh, chief executive of Alwafeer Air, Saudi Arabia's first airline for pilgrims, has said that the carrier plans to hold an initial public offering within the next two to three years, Reuters has reported. The Jeddah-based airline, which is owned by Saudi companies including the Bin Laden Group and the Naghi Group, obtained an operating licence on October 4 and is expected to start flying during the Hajj season in November. The carrier has leased three Boeing 747 planes from Malaysian Airline Systems for the next six years and may expand its fleet to eight planes in the next three years.
Emirates secures finance for 3 Boeing 777-300ER
Emirates airline has secured financing for three new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The transaction amounting to $413.7m with a fixed rate coupon of 3.465% per annum are due 21 August 2021 and are payable in installments of principal and interest on a quarterly basis. The inaugural US bond offering was guaranteed by the Export Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank).
Bahrain airport plans two new terminals
Bahrain International Airport plans to open two new terminals in the next four years as part of a $4.7bn expansion of the facility, Gulf Daily News has reported. The expansion, planned over the next 30 years, will triple the passenger capacity at the airport to 27 million a year. Terminal Two will be commissioned by 2012 and Terminal 1A will become operational a year later, Bahrain Airport Company chief executive officer Dr Osama Alali told the paper.
Gulf Air to resume flights to Bangalore
Gulf Air, Bahrain's national carrier, has said it will resume its non-stop flights to the southern Indian city of Bangalore from October 24. The daily flight will depart Bahrain at 2150hrs and reach Bangalore at 0435hrs. The return flight will leave Bangalore at 0525hrs and reach Bahrain at 0750hrs.
Emirates offers 3-month interest free payment
Dubai-based Emirates Airline has announced the launch of its 'Emirates Advantage payment system' for customers who book their Emirates flight online. The new service allows customers in the UAE, with credit cards from selected banks including ADCB, Citibank, Emirates Bank, HSBC and NBD, to select the option to pay for their ticket at zero per cent interest, over three monthly instalments.
Qatar Airways to add new India route
Qatar Airways will launch its first flight to Amritsar in India's Punjab State on October 11, the Gulf Times has reported. The new route will have four weekly flights which will be serviced using a two-class Airbus A320 aircraft.
Gulf Air to start flights to Erbil, Iraq
Bahrain-based Gulf Air plans to beginregular service to the Iraqi Kurdistan city of Erbil from October 26, according to the Kurdistan Regional Government. The airline plans three weekly flights on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to the capital of the Kurdistan Region.
Kuwait inks open sky agreements
Kuwait's General Directorate of Civil Aviation has said that the country has signed seven free skies agreements with foreign states, Kuna has reported. The accords were signed with Austria, Poland, Georgia, the Czech Republic, Kirgizstan, Finland and Iceland, during the recent international air services conference, organized by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, in Istanbul.
Flydubai to launch service to Doha
Low-cost carrier Flydubai has announced plans to launch intra-GCC service with flights to the Qatari capital Doha. The twice daily flights, which will begin on October 18, will be the first direct service between Dubai and Qatar to be operated by a low-cost airline. One-way fares to Doha from Dubai will cost from Dhs200, which includes all taxes and one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 10kg.
Emirates refutes report on pilot fatigue
Emirates has rejected a newspaper article claiming that pilot fatigue is causing safety issues at the Dubai-based airline. Australia's Sunday Herald said Emirates pilots are suffering from 'micro-sleeps' while landing aircraft, and quoted a pilot as saying that safety is becoming increasingly impaired. Richard Vaughan, Emirates divisional senior vice president for commercial operations, strongly rejected the report, saying it was 'one-sided' and defended the airline's 'absolute commitment to safety'.
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