Etihad Airways will introduce the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner on its scheduled services from Abu Dhabi to Barcelona, effective 22 February 2019, replacing the Airbus A330-200 currently operating the recently launched route.
The deployment of the larger 787 Dreamliner to Barcelona has been timed to coincide with the Mobile World Conference taking place in the city from 25-28 February, during which Etihad Airways will provide daily flights. The airline will increase frequency to a permanent daily operation from 31 March.
The service will feature Etihad Airways’ next-generation Business and Economy cabins, configured with 299 seats – 28 Business Studios and 271 Economy Smart Seats – a capacity increase of six seats in Business and 31 in Economy in each direction, and an increase in belly-hold cargo capacity of four tonnes.
Robin Kamark, Etihad Aviation Group Chief Commercial Officer, said, “We are delighted to now include Barcelona to our growing list of Dreamliner destinations. We launched flights to the city just last month and forward passenger and cargo demand on the route from Abu Dhabi, and beyond, has encouraged us to accelerate the deployment of the larger 787 on this popular service.
“Together with Madrid, also operated by the 787-9 Dreamliner, the move will guarantee product consistency and more convenient travel options for our customers travelling to and from Spain, ensuring they experience the quietest cabins and our latest in-flight products and innovations.”
Etihad Airways’ Boeing 787-9 aircraft feature innovative, award-winning cabin designs and products, complemented by the airline’s acclaimed service and hospitality offering. Flights include Food and Beverage Managers in Business Class and a Flying Nanny in Economy Class to provide extra-specialized care for families with young children.
Aramex has introduced ‘Aramex Fleet’, a crowd-based delivery platform that connects Saudi nationals to flexible last mile delivery work to leverage Saudi Arabia’s sharing economy.
Aramex is the first major international logistics and transportation provider to integrate this service in the MENA region, and plans to introduce the platform to at least 10 more countries over the next 12 months.
“We are excited to announce the launch of ‘Aramex Fleet’ in Saudi Arabia – Aramex’s largest market in the Middle East and a country which is leading the growth of the sharing economy in the region,” said Abdulaziz bin Abdullah Al Nowaiser, general manager of Aramex in Saudi Arabia.
“‘Aramex Fleet’ will help to boost economic growth in Saudi Arabia by empowering Saudi nationals through crowdsourced employment opportunities and flexible working hours, whilst increasing last mile delivery capacity for customers during busy periods,” he added.
New last mile disruptor Quiqup says UAE needs crowd-sourcing
Saudi nationals are invited to join the Aramex Fleet platform through the official website: fleet.aramex.com.
It follows a network-based business model that provides Saudi nationals (‘Fleeters’) with income per successful delivery. All Fleeters are on-boarded through a dedicated digital platform, which provides security and transparency by recording names, vehicle types, and license plate numbers.
The introduction of Aramex Fleet to Saudi Arabia follows Aramex’s launch of WhatsApp for Business in October of this year, as part of the company’s efforts to enhance customer experience and digitize the end-to-end shipment journey.
The initial version of WhatsApp for Business includes track and trace functionality as well as a ‘find Aramex nearest location’ feature.
Aramex is not alone in its crowd-sourcing plans for Saudi Arabia, the e-commerce platform noon.com has announced similar plans for the country.
Saudi Arabia’s maritime sector is set to receive a much-needed boost with an allocation of $8.8 billion for the energy, industry, mining and logistics sectors in its recently announced budget for 2019.
In fact, the country is on an aggressive growth and diversification path, with substantial government spending expected to catalyze its ‘Vision 2030’ goals and drive sustainable growth and development.
The 2nd Saudi Maritime Congress, to be held on March 11th and 12th at the Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh, Kingdom Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, will closely examine these budgetary implications on this sector, focus on the growth of intra-regional trade and the booming north-south network, analyZe the changing regulatory environment and study existing project opportunities.
Held under the patronage of the Saudi Ports Authority (MAWANI) and in partnership with Bahri, the event is also expected to examine new trends in the shipping and logistics industry, providing insights into the country’s ambitious growth agenda and consolidate Saudi Arabia’s position as a strategic gateway to Asia, Africa and Europe.
For two days, international experts, influential maritime leaders and professionals from the shipping, ports and offshore marine companies will do business, forge new partnerships and discuss key market and sectoral insights, to fast track growth and development in this vital industry.
“We are pleased to organize the Saudi Maritime Congress for the second time, following the great success of the first edition in 2014,” said Chris Hayman, chairman of Seatrade. “Against the background of global change, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 plan is set to transform the Saudi economy, with massive consequences for its maritime and logistics sectors.”
“This event will provide a unique opportunity to see at first hand the scale and nature of the developments which are now unfolding in the Kingdom, as it consolidates its role as a major industry player and as a global logistics hub,” he added.
The Saudi Maritime Congress will provide an ideal platform for discussing with key players the future direction of maritime and logistics policy in the Kingdom and for showcasing the commercial and investment opportunities which this ambitious pathway towards sustainable development represents.
The aviation sector, a vital contributor to the UAE’s growth, is set to expand in 2019 as the nation’s gateway airports stay on track to draw increased passenger traffic, driven by four fast-growing national carriers.
Over the next few years, the sector, which currently contributes 15 percent to the country’s GDP, is expected to account for 20 percent of the economy as national carriers Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, Air Arabia and flydubai continue to expand their global connectivity, frequencies and capacity in the backdrop of an ongoing Dh85 billion investment on aviation and tourism infrastructure by governments of various emirates.
While the four national carriers are continuing their expansion in various foreign markets, governments are spending billions on expansion and upgrading of airports and tourism infrastructure in anticipation of a significant jump in visitor traffic to the UAE during Expo 2020 in Dubai. The visitor flow to Dubai, the fourth most visited city in the world after London, Paris and Bangkok, alone is projected to cross 20 million in two years from the currently estimated over 16 million.
Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy and Chairman of the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), said since the aviation sector is a key pillar in enriching the national economy, the UAE has invested in advancing its aviation sector in terms of using the latest technologies, research and development and hosting and participating in regional and international exhibitions and conferences. He said the aim is to reach significant agreements with local and global partners and increase trade and investment opportunities in the aviation industry.
According to recent industry estimates, the aviation sector is expected to contribute nearly Dh200 billion to the country’s economy by 2020, providing up to 750,000 jobs.
Currently, the UAE is investing Dh85 billion in various airport development and expansion projects that will see its airports develop a combined capacity to handle more than 300 million passengers a year.
The various airport investments under way include Dh30 billion in developing Al Maktoum International Airport, Dh28 billion expansion of phase four of Dubai International Airport and Dh25 billion for the development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport. In addition, Sharjah International Airport is also undergoing a Dh1.5 billion investment in expansion of its terminal.
Recently, Dubai launched the largest tender so far for expanding Al Maktoum International Airport. The package, which consists of 1.7 million square metres of connected basement footprint to house tunnels, baggage handling and other back-of-house technical and support facilities, was “the biggest ever released in its category”, according to Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates airline and Group. “We are targeting an award by early next year.”
Al Maktoum, Dubai’s second airport, is expected to become the world’s largest when its expansion is completed. The airport, which opened in 2013 in the Dubai South district, can handle around seven million passengers annually.
“The UAE’s aviation and air transport sector has made unique jumps during the past few years, where the state managed to reach milestones on a par with leading countries in this sector, whether in terms of the number of flights taking off or landing every day at UAE airports or the number of passengers,” said Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi, director-general of GCAA.
He said the UAE seeks to become first globally in the airline service quality index after it achieved a unique shift in the size of its air transport infrastructure projects over the past few years.
According to Boeing, airlines in the Middle East, led by the four UAE carriers, will require 2,990 new aircraft worth $754 billion over the next 20 years, to meet rising demand as the region continues to grow its commercial aviation industry.
In line with International Air Transport Association projections, Boeing forecasts 5.2 per cent growth in traffic over the next 20 years, supported by a 4.9 per cent increase in total regional fleet size. The size of the Middle East market is expected to be worth $660 billion in two decades, with the four UAE carriers expected to account for a large part of it.
Between January and December 2018, Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, flew close to 2.6 million tons of cargo across six continents. From fruits and vegetables to space satellites, from pharmaceuticals to domestic pets, the air cargo carrier transported goods that have had a direct positive impact on the lives of millions.
In 2018, Emirates SkyCargo carried over 73,000 tons of pharmaceutical cargo. With its fleet of over 270 aircraft and state-of-the-art facilities, Emirates SkyCargo is able to securely and rapidly transport vaccines and other critical medicines to where they are most needed.
Emirates SkyCargo introduced the pharma corridors initiative across select destinations. Working with ground handling partners and other stakeholders, the initiative ensures uniform high standards for the handling of temperature-sensitive pharmaceuticals from origin to destination. Emirates SkyCargo currently has 20 pharma stations across its network.
Emirates SkyCargo transported over 1,100 tonnes of food including fruits, vegetables, fish and meat, every single day in 2018.
Through Emirates Fresh, the air cargo carrier’s specialized portfolio of solutions for perishables transportation, Emirates SkyCargo ensure that food items retain their freshness and arrive at their destinations on time.
From cherished pets to super cars and satellites, Emirates SkyCargo has developed vast expertise in transporting cargo that is extremely valuable to customers.
In 2018, the carrier transported 7,900 domestic cats and dogs on its flights. The carrier also launched Emirates Pets, a product designed to offer convenient and comfortable air transportation experience for domestic pets with options for door-to-door pickup and delivery of the animal.
Emirates SkyCargo transported over 1,140 premium and luxury cars in 2018. In February 2018, Emirates SkyCargo transported Khalifasat – the first satellite developed and built by Emirati engineers in the UAE – from Dubai to Seoul.
Emirates SkyCargo’s fleet of freighter aircraft operated 395 charter flights between January and December 2018. In September 2018, 19 flights were chartered to transport around 500 horses from Liege, Belgium to Greenville-Spartanburg, USA for the FEI World Equestrian Games Tryon 2018. Over the course of the year, 1,800 horses travelled on Emirates SkyCargo’s Boeing 777 freighters to participate in racing events.
Charter flights were also used to transport equipment and instruments for music concerts and other entertainment events across the world.
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