Qatar Airways unveils direct flights between Penang and Doha three times a week starting February 6, 2018.
The Middle Eastern airline will ply the route on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays using its state-of-the-art Boeing 787 Dreamliner that features 22 seats in business class and 232 seats in economy class.
Qatar Airways will also launch a record-breaking 25 new destinations in 2018, its Asia Pacific vice-president Jared Lee announced at the Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s office recently.
According to Lim, this is the very first direct long haul flight by an international airline to Penang.
“Currently, there are direct short haul flights between Penang and Hong Kong, Taiwan and China by other airlines which are on the east side but Doha is the first direct long haul destination which is in the west,” he said.
Lim said the Penang state government would offer incentives for marketing and promotion to encourage more flights to Penang from key tourist destinations.
Qatar Airways is also expanding on its global network of more than 150 destinations from Doha, the new destinations will include cities such as Helsinki, Marrakech, Nice, Prague, Adana, Sarajevo and St Petersburg.
The airline has announced flights to Chiangmai in December this year and will be introducing flights to Pattaya next January 18, adding that the airline’s route expansion was in response to increasing demand for South-east Asian destinations.
Qatar Airways first launched its flight to Malaysia in December 2001 and currently has three daily flights to Kuala Lumpur.
The newest technology of active containers is now available for temperature-sensitive goods on SAUDIA CARGO flights with the RKN and RAP Opticooler of DoKaSch Temperature Solutions, the provider of climate-controlled solutions for air cargo. Recently, the Saudia Airlines Cargo Co. and the German ULD provider signed a master agreement.
“We are very pleased to offer our customers a highly reliable packaging solution to transport temperature-sensitive shipments with DoKaSch Opticoolers. Especially pharmaceuticals must be kept within strict temperature tolerances throughout the entire supply chain, regardless of the ambient conditions, which are a challenge in particular in our region,” says Adel Elshazly at SAUDIA CARGO
“We are pleased that SAUDIA CARGO will be joining our global airline network. SAUDIA CARGO is a very important partner in many aspects. Not only do they have one of the world’s most modern aircraft fleets, but Jeddah is a very important trading hub for us as well. Now our containers are accessible much easier in the Middle East, Asia and Africa.” adds Andreas Seitz, Managing Director of DoKaSch Temperature Solutions.
The Opticooler is especially designed for extreme climatic conditions. It keeps the cargo very well within a temperature range of 2° to 8° Celsius or 15° to 25° Celsius even when it comes to high temperatures up to 50°C, which are quite common in Saudi Arabia and the surrounding regions. The Opticooler is the most adequate and reliable packaging solution for temperature sensitive pharmaceuticals.
Dubai Airports, operator of the world’s number one airport for international passengers – Dubai International (DXB), and Dubai World Central, has signed an agreement with Union Insurance Company, a leading provider of customer-focused insurance solutions to individuals and corporations in the region, to provide life insurance solutions to Dubai Airports employees
Ann-Marie Campbell, Executive Vice President of Human Resources Development at Dubai Airports said: “We are very pleased to introduce this new initiative to our employees in collaboration with Union Insurance. It is a reflection of Dubai Airports’ commitment to ensuring the wellbeing of our employees and their families. Our employees are the heart of the organization and we believe any initiative that supports employees in dealing with uncertainties has a positive impact on the quality of life. .”
“We are very proud to be Dubai Airports’ first partner for Group Life Insurance policy,” says Abdul Muttaleb Al Jaedi, Managing Director and CEO, Union Insurance. “The tie-up underlines our leading position as an innovative insurer and how our solutions add value to clients’ long term financial goals.”
The policy provides over 3000 staff members with around-the-clock worldwide coverage whether the employee is on or off duty.
Emirates recently unveiled a special tribute to the late HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the United Arab Emirates, with a bespoke livery for its 100th A380 carrying one of his most memorable images.
The unique livery is the first time Emirates will feature a customized decal of a well-known public figure, marking the airline’s first initiative for the ‘Year of Zayed’, which commences in 2018, coinciding with the centennial of the birth of the UAE’s founding father. A total of ten Emirates aircraft, five Airbus A380s and five Boeing 777-300ERs, will carry the special livery. The aircraft will carry the distinctive decal of HH Sheikh Zayed beginning in November 2017 and throughout 2018.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman & Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, said, “His Highness Sheikh Zayed dedicated his life to the building of a prosperous UAE, and we are proud to celebrate his remarkable legacy and honour his memory. Sheikh Zayed left an indelible mark on our home, the UAE, and we hope to help preserve his legacy and spirit, by spreading his message of inspiration, dedication, and leadership around the world as our aircraft take to the skies and circle the globe.”
The bespoke decal will cover an area of 480 m² on the A380 and 312 m² on the Boeing 777-300ER, showing one of HH Sheikh Zayed’s most iconic images. All of the aircraft are expected to fly to Emirates’ network of 156 destinations.
On average, it will take three days and up to eight staff to install the decals at the Emirates Engineering Aircraft Appearance Centre.
HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the founding father of the UAE, and one of the most prolific Arab leaders of his generation. His driving vision and leadership infused the United Arab Emirates with a spirit of responsibility, and motivation to pursue long-lasting, sustainable development. Earlier this year, HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the United Arab Emirates, declared 2018 as the ‘Year of Zayed’, marking the 100 years since the birth of the nation’s founding father, and highlighting his role in establishing the Federation as well as his achievements on a local, regional and international level.
Etihad Airways has announced the suspension of its Abu Dhabi – Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) route effective 25 March 2018, as it will become commercially unsustainable following American Airlines’ unilateral decision to terminate its codeshare agreement with the airline.
Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said, “The unfortunate decision by American Airlines to terminate a commercial relationship that benefited both carriers has left Etihad with no choice but to suspend flights between our Abu Dhabi home and Dallas/Fort Worth.
“We are open to American Airlines reversing its decision to cancel our codeshare agreement so that Etihad Airways can continue the route and together protect and support American national interests and global connectivity while driving commercial value for both airlines.”
Etihad Airways has invested heavily in the DFW route since its launch in December 2014. The route commenced with three flights a week and was upgraded to a daily service in February 2017, providing travellers in the US and across the airline’s network with access to more US cities through American Airlines’ primary hub. More than 235,000 travellers have flown on the route since its launch. Almost half of Etihad Airways’ DFW customers connect on US codeshare flights operated by American Airlines.
Mr Baumgartner added, “The cancellation of the Dallas route is one of several adjustments that we are making to our US network in 2018 in order to improve system profitability. Further changes are possible as we monitor the full impact of the American Airlines codeshare cancellation on summer 2018 bookings.
“Etihad Airways is grateful to the state of Texas, its authorities, including the Mayor’s offices in Dallas and Fort Worth, DFW International Airport, local businesses, the travel trade, and the travelling public for their partnership throughout the years of our operation.”
According to independent research by Oxford Economics, in 2016 Etihad Airways contributed US$3.8 billion to the US economy, supported more than 30,000 American jobs, and brought 280,000 additional visitors to the United States. These visitors, who travelled from growing markets historically ignored by US carriers and partners, contributed US$1.9 billion to the US economy and supported an additional 22,000 American jobs.
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