Qatar Airways Cargo received its latest Boeing 777 freighter in Doha recently, taking its total freighter fleet count to 21. The addition marks the cargo carrier’s unwavering commitment to building its young and modern air cargo fleet to strengthen its growth trajectory.
The Boeing 777 freighter has the longest range of any twin-engined freighter and is based around the B777-200 Long Range aircraft operating on the airline’s ultra-long-haul routes. With a payload capacity of 102 metric tonnes, the B777F is capable of flying 9,070 km. The airplane’s range capability translates into significant savings for cargo operators: fewer stops and associated landing fees, less congestion at transfer hubs, lower cargo handling costs and shorter cargo delivery times. The capacity of the Boeing freighters is unrivalled, and the plane’s economics make it an attractive addition to the fleet.
Qatar Airways Cargo operates the Boeing 777 freighters on long-haul routes to the Americas, Europe, the Far East, Asia and some destinations in Africa. The cargo carrier offers QR Charter, utilising its most modern fleet of Boeing B777s, Airbus A330s and Boeing 747 freighters. Its portfolio of distinctive products currently includes QR Pharma, QR Fresh, QR Live and QR Express offering efficiency and compliance in the handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical and perishable cargo, transportation of live animals as well as time-critical shipments.
The airline will receive another Boeing 777 freighter later this year, increasing its freighter fleet to a total of 22 aircraft by the end of 2017.
Etihad Airways is reassuring passengers of its highest level of service to minimise disruption following the introduction of a new US travel directive on electronic devices.
Effective since March 25, passengers on all US-bound flights from, or transiting through, Abu Dhabi International Airport will not be permitted to carry electronic devices bigger than a smart phone or mobile into the aircraft cabin.
Items such as laptop computers, tablets including iPads, gaming devices, cameras and e-readers will be required to be placed in checked-in luggage. Medical devices are exempt and can be carried onboard.
All Etihad Airways’ US flights have mobile and Wi-Fi connectivity, together with power and USB points at every seat enabling guests to remain connected through their mobiles and smart phones. And with an onboard inflight entertainment system offering hundreds of hours of free programmes, international movies, live TV news and sports channels, interactive games, and music in every seat, guests are able to keep themselves busy throughout their journey without the need of a laptop or tablet.
Etihad Airways is sending email alerts to all US-bound travellers advising of the new directive. Signage is being placed at check-in desks at airports around the world where staff will inform guests to pack any prohibited electronic devices in their checked luggage.
US-bound passengers travelling via Abu Dhabi must check-in their electronic devices at the point of origin. The directive, issued by the US Transportation Security Administration, does not affect flights departing from the United States.
At Abu Dhabi International Airport, all Etihad Airways guests travelling to the United States clear US Immigration and Customs at the US Preclearance facility in Terminal 3 – the only one of its kind in the Middle East. When guests land in the US, they arrive as domestic passengers with no requirement to queue for immigration checks again. Due to the additional security measures, Etihad Airways will deploy more staff at the US Preclearance facility to provide assistance.
To avoid inconvenience, guests are encouraged to pack the prohibited items in their checked baggage prior to reaching the Preclearance facility in Abu Dhabi. Any prohibited electronic devices will have to be declared and placed in padded envelopes before being securely taken to the aircraft luggage hold by staff. Such items will be returned to guests on arrival in the US, while conveniently, other items of checked-in luggage can be collected at the final destination in the United States.
Guests are also encouraged to avoid carrying spare battery packs larger than the permitted size as these will not be allowed in either the luggage hold or the cabin.
While Abu Dhabi International Airport is not listed for a similar ban related to direct flights operating to the United Kingdom, enhanced security screening is likely for guests travelling to London, Manchester and Edinburgh.
The midfield Terminal at Abu Dhabi International Airport is on track for 2019 opening and will be able to simultaneously handle 141 aircraft compared to 62 at present, a top official says.
Abdul Majeed Al Khoori, acting CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports, said the budget allocated for the Midfield Terminal has already exceeded Dh19.1 billion while a budget of Dh38 billion has been allocated for the expansion and development of Abu Dhabi’s aviation sector.
“The Abu Dhabi Airports are currently establishing three free zones at the airports of Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Bateen. This is expected to generate more than Dh1 billion revenues annually,” Al Khoori said in an interview with Emirates News Agency (Wam).
He said the Abu Dhabi Airports is also considering a plan to allow cargo companies and low-cost airlines to operate from Al Ain airport. Upon completion, he said the new airport facility complex will be able to receive over 30 million travellers every year. The luggage sort-out and handling system at the new airport building shall be one of the best and fastest baggage handling system in the world, as it will be dealing with 19,000 bags per an hour.
Since its launch in March 2016, he said as many as 2.5 million inbound and outbound travellers used the smart gates at Abu Dhabi airport. He said approximately 60,000 travellers use the airport every day with 475 flights daily.
Al Khouri also noted that the Abu Dhabi Airport is continuously watching its capacity and capabilities to handle travellers at the airport. In the past years, the Abu Dhabi airports company initiated expansion projects at the two terminals 1 and 3 of the airport.
Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates airline, recently transported some of the world’s best racehorses to Dubai for one of the most prestigious global racing events, the Dubai World Cup, which took place on the 25th March at the Meydan racecourse.
Champion thoroughbred horses had been arriving from all parts of the world into Dubai on Emirates SkyCargo freighters over the last few weeks. One of the most recent arrivals for the Dubai World Cup on Emirates SkyCargo was Arrogate, currently the world’s highest rated racehorse. Arrogate won the Pegasus World Cup earlier this year in Florida and again won US $10 million Dubai World Cup prize. Arrogate was joined by stable companion Hoppertunity, another contender for the Dubai World Cup, for the journey from United States to Dubai. The carrier worked with the international equine transport specialist Janah Management Company, who also provided highly specialised grooms to accompany the horses, to ensure successful and safe transportation.
With Arrogate and Hoppertunity, Emirates SkyCargo also transportedStallwalkin Dude and Imperial Hint, also part of the American contingent at the Dubai World Cup night races at Dubai World Central airport. Earlier in 2016.
Emirates SkyCargo also operated a special charter flight from Japan to transport some of the leading contenders for the top prize on race night. Apollo Kentucky, Awardee and Gold Dream were amongst the horses that arrived at the Emirates SkyCentral freighter hub recently to take part in the races.
A few of the other leading horses flying in from different parts of the world included Move Up from the Godolphin stables in Newmarket, UK and Dundonnell, Amazing Kids and Not Listenin’Tome from Hong Kong.
The carrier also provides custom designed horse stalls and trained and experienced expert personnel to ensure proper handling and welfare of the horses. Inside the cargo hold of the aircraft, the temperature is set to ensure maximum comfort and minimum stress for the horses. Premium horses can also travel with professional grooms and certified veterinarians onboard Emirates SkyCargo freighters.
Dubai Airports’ efforts to reduce its carbon footprint resulted in total energy savings of 5.17 million kWh in 2016 across Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central (DWC) – equivalent to powering 235 homes for a full year, the operator recently reported.
The report was issued just ahead of Dubai Airports’ participation in the Earth Hour on March 25 – when all non-essential lights across both DXB and DWC switched off for one hour.
The energy savings are the result of a range of initiatives including installation of systems, active participation in events such as Earth Hour and World Clean Up Day, as well as new projects including the solar panels on the Concourse D building that began operation with the opening of the new facility in February 2016.
A bulk of the total savings resulted from the replacement of traditional lighting with LEDs for street lighting, signage and airfield as well as the installation of intelligent occupancy sensors at both airports. The optimisation of chiller plants at DXB and DWC with the installation of energy saving variable frequency drives for pumps and automation for demand-based flow also helped energy conservation efforts during the year.
The array of solar panels installed on the roof of Concourse D at DXB and at the Police facility at DWC also made significant contribution to Dubai Airports’ energy conservation efforts by generating power.
Dubai Airports also joined millions of people around the world to observe Earth Hour in March last year – switching off all non-essential lights at both the airports for an hour every day for 24 days saving energy equivalent to reducing 106.4 tons of CO2 emissions.
Technology has made the world smaller and faster.Real time communication with people from all over the world at different time zones through phones and gadgets
