Emirates removes airlines fuel surcharge with immediate effect

According to Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline: “In line with the recent decrease in fuel prices Emirates has removed its fuel surcharge on all tickets. The removal of this surcharge reflects our longstanding commitment to our customers. We promised our customers from the outset that we would eliminate the surcharge as soon as it was commercially viable and this has now been done. We continue to closely monitor the situation.”
 

Lufthansa German Airlines, SWISS And bmi Move Under One Roof At The World Trade Centre

On the 18th floor of the Dubai’s iconic World Trade Center tower, situated on Sheikh Zayed Road, Lufthansa celebrated the opening of its new office premises. It was not only an evening of joy and celebration for Lufthansa itself, but also for bmi and SWISS, as they moved in with their parent company – bringing together the Lufthansa family under one roof.

At the inauguration ceremony, guests and staff spontaneously applauded as Mr. Joachim Steinbach, Lufthansa’s Vice President Sales & Services Southeast Europe, Africa, Middle East and Pakistan, Mr. Thierry Antinori, Member of the Lufthansa German Airlines Board, and Max Hunt, General Manager Middle East and Africa for bmi, together with Martin Massüger, SWISS’s Director, Head of Sales Middle East, Africa, Pakistan & Iran, officially opened the new office.

Emphasizing the key benefits of the new office in his short address, Mr. Steinbach said: "Moving together under one roof allows for a more direct and more open communication between the management and staff of Lufthansa, SWISS and bmi. The new premises lay the foundation for a further enhanced customer service – a crucial factor for successful business.”

Lufthansa and SWISS took the alliance a step further by not only uniting their regional sales & marketing departments in the same office, but also merging their Dubai city offices. Thanks to its convenient location in the World Trade Center tower, SWISS and Lufthansa customers benefit from the superb accessibility of the new joint ticket office. With the recent opening of Lufthansa’s new check-in facilities in Terminal 1, travelers now also enjoy a further enhancement of the airline’s ground and customer services at Dubai International Airport.

Passengers travelling on Lufthansa and SWISS continue to enjoy a host of benefits resulting from the airlines’ close cooperation. These include more flight options to choose from, outbound via Frankfurt and inbound via Zurich or vice versa for example, better connections to more destinations worldwide, a shared frequent flyer program and enhanced international lounge access, to name a few.

For further information as well as bookings, please visit our website, www.lufthansa.com, or contact the Lufthansa city office or your travel agent.

Lufthansa Dubai City Office
Tel: 00971 4-373 9100
Fax: 00971 4-373 9155
www.lufthansa.com

SWISS Dubai City Office
Tel: 00971 4-381 6100
Fax: 00971 4-381 6171
www.swiss.com

bmi Dubai City Office
Tel: 00971 800 5822
Fax: 00971 4-393 0197

www.flybmi.com
 

Midex Airlines Revenues Increase 55 % To 528 Million In 2010

Midex Airlines Company, the national company specialized in air freight, announced about it’s revenues increase which is about 55 % in the year 2010,to reach to 528 million versus 340 million dirham in the year 2009 , as the company achieved an operating profits of 158 million dirham .

The total number of flights in 2010,has increased about 50% to reach 1134 flight regular and irregular to basic destinations that it reaches, in return for 760 trip in 2009 , while capacity power has increased after the addition of the two new aeroplanes approximately 100 tons to reach to 540 tons of cargo. And it achieved an increase in revenues during the first half of the year 2010 about 33% , compared with the same period of last year, to reach to 197 million dirhams .

Jasem Albastaki, Director General of Midex Airlines said that : "These positive results for the company due to the increase of power capacity of the company after the addition of two new aeroplanes ( Boeing 747 fashion ) in 2010, which enabled the company to meet the growing demands for services provided by its customers around the world, as it was with the guidance of sound to the President of the Board of Directors, Dr. Issam Khairallah, and our working team whom made great efforts and basic role in the acheivement of the company of these results, and Al Bastaki expected the beginning of the profitable company in 2012 .

He added: "The company has expanded in 2010, its operations locally and abroad through the provision of services, handling of goods from various airports of the State , so as to meet the needs of a large segment of the company’s customers, pointing out that the Midex Airlines began freight of goods from the airports of Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, which attract the largest amount of cargo."

Bastaki pointed that Midex company in 2010 had many insertion of the IT developed systems to update and facilitate he organization and classification operation of cargo, and control systems shipping operations, emphasizing that Midex Airlines is always seeking to adopt the highest international standards in product quality and transportation of cargo and enhance customer satisfaction through innovation and flexibility and permanent development of the services that introduced .

He continued: "The company has focused since its launch in 2007 to promote and support it’s relationships with customers as strategic partners and it has provided all the solutions and services that meet their needs and facilitate he rapid arrival of their goods."

He said: “the reflected policy of excellence destruction that Midex Airlines followed in all areas of their work, both in the Investment staff highly qualified, and information technology at all, besides the adoption of more cargo planes efficiently to expand its route network, and the best facilities and equipment for ground handling."

Bastaki pointed that Midex Airlines seeking this year to become the largest operator of Boeing 747 aircraft in the region that has it’s whole fleet, where the company intends Within the framework of the strategic plan to increasing the number of aircrafts during the next few years for the enhancement of its ability to expand the number of destinations that they reached" .

Midex Airlines is considered the largest operator of freighting operations in the Middle East that has it’s private fleet, which includes 9 of which are 6 aircraft, 3 Airbus planes from the giant Boeing 747, all wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company .

 

Emirates Airlines honored with True Partner Award

Emirates Airlines has been selected as the best foreign air carrier to join the most successful names in the Korean travel business in 2010 and honored with "True Partner" Award given by The Korea Travel Times, a Seoul-based leading travel trade journal.

On domestic front, Asiana Airlines was named as the best national flag carrier whereas Mode Tour was named as the best travel agent.

"The awards are an important expression of the vital contribution that they made to the development of Korean tourism industry in 2010," the travel journal said.

The four final awardees were chosen from among candidates through on and off-line polls nationwide that took place from Dec. 1, 2010 through Dec. 31, 2010.

 

Middle East Airlines Partners With HP MDS To Boost Business Operations

HP Middle East today announced that Middle East Airlines (MEA), Lebanon’s national carrier, has signed an agreement that will help add new capabilities and value to MEA’s business operations in the region.

As per the agreement, MEA has implemented HP’s datacenter solutions to optimize on existing business processes and offer better customer services.

HP Proliant Blade Enclosures, in addition to storage and networking solutions, have been deployed at the airline’s main site in Beirut.

Prior to the implementation some of the challenges such as limitations in deploying new technologies like virtualization, performance issues, the mounting total cost of ownership of obsolete equipments, in addition to growing storage capacity needs and application sprawls, was starting to weigh down on the airline’s service level agreement (SLA).

Through the new virtualized infrastructure MEA aims to cut power consumption, contain costs and optimize on new business opportunities. Thanks to the HP solutions, MEA will be able to serve their customers better and faster, saving costs in data center maintenance.

“Technology is the key to driving innovation and improving customer service in the competitive aviation sector. Hence it was crucial for us that we partnered with the right people who understood our business and could innovate as we grew,” said Adib Shreif, Head of IT, MEA. “HP’s end-to-end solutions, bundled with the partnership approach and the expertise of their services team has made them the preferred technology partner for Middle East Airlines. We have a long working history with HP, our IT infrastructure is based on HP’s solutions and services and this demonstrates the confidence we have in trusting them with our core business applications where downtime or data loss are not an option.”

“As one of the fast growing airlines in the region, MEA airlines have successfully redirected their investment dollars from routine operations to innovation and business growth. The new solutions will allow MEA to deliver reliable, secure and cost-effective services to the partners and passengers they serve, in addition to reducing energy-related operating costs and meet corporate commitments and compliance standards,” said Fawwaz Qadan, Director of Enterprise Storage, Servers, and Networking(ESSN) HP Middle East.

The implementation which went live last month was carried out by Midware Data Systems, a leading provider of advanced IT Infrastructure solutions in Lebanon. “We are committed to helping organizations advance their business processes and services through HP’s broad product portfolio. Our focus has been and remains on delivering HP’s core values to our customers in Lebanon, helping them achieve outstanding business results.” said George Geha, President, Midware Data Systems

As the world’s leading transportation IT services provider, HP processes more than 42 million airline reservations each month and more than 500 million per year. HP’s comprehensive portfolio of world-class technology solutions encompasses air carriers, airports, cruise lines, hotel companies, major reservations networks, logistics and modal providers.
 

Oasis Centre Ties Up With Tourism Malaysia And Singapore Airlines To Offer Daily Ramadan Holiday Packages

Oasis Centre, widely regarded as Dubai’s friendliest mall, today announced a tie-up with the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board and Singapore Airlines to offer 64 lucky individuals special vacation packages to Malaysia during the Holy Month of Ramadan and Eid-Al-Fitr holidays.

For every AED200 spent at Oasis Centre, shoppers will receive a raffle coupon to enter the daily draw that will be held at the end of each day from 11 August – 13 September. Winners will receive a full vacation package for two, including airline tickets and a bed-and-breakfast accommodation for three days/two nights in one of the four-star hotels in Kuala Lumpur, with airport transfers.

The promotion at the Oasis Centre will also be accompanied by a variety of activities to mark the holy month. A Ramadan tent will be set up for the entire month, where shoppers and their families will be served kahwa and dates. Visitors can also enjoy an array of entertainment such as ‘colour and glitter your moon’, ‘paint the pillar of Islam’, ‘colour your masjid puzzle’, ‘traditional kahwa pot painting’, ‘zakat jar decoration’, ‘clay art’, Islamic calligraphy’, ‘rice writing’ and ‘henna painting’.

Neelesh Bhatnagar, Director, Oasis Centre, said: “Ramadan in the UAE has a special flare. As a token of appreciation to our loyal customers, we have decided to add more excitement and rewards this year to our customers’ shopping experience. Our partnership with the Malaysian Tourism Promotion Board and Singapore Airlines will offer shoppers an opportunity to gain a life-time experience to visit one of the most attractive destinations in Asia.”

A country that stands out for diversity, Malaysia charms its visitors with its warm and friendly people, eclectic cultures and delightful natural wonders. The traveller can enjoy the magic of the festivals that take place there, wander around the cool hideaways in the highlands or humid mangroves, or laze on the sandy beaches.
Tuan Razali Tuan Omar, Director of Tourism Malaysia Dubai, said: “Our collaboration with Oasis Centre to offer exclusive packages during the Holy Month of Ramadan results from our profound belief in the mall’s ability to offer a unique experience to shoppers. Malaysia has a lot to offer during the holy month. As an Islamic country, visitors can perform the ‘Terawikh’ prayers that will be conducted by renowned Imams in many mosques across the country.

“Visitors can also occupy their time between Suhour and Iftar by shopping for Eid-Al-Fitr during the Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival that will continue until 16 September. Breaking their fast with some of the best food Malaysia has to offer at the popular Ramadan bazaar will serve as another key attraction.”

With a fleet exceeding 100 aircraft, Singapore Airlines has successfully positioned itself as one of the world-class carriers. A member of the Star Alliance, The Airline’s route network covers 91 cities in 37 countries spanning the five continents. It operates Twice-Daily flights from Dubai to Singapore and a Daily flight from Abu Dhabi to Singapore with excellent onward connections to five cities in Malaysia.

Richard Lee, General Manager-Gulf, Singapore Airlines, said: “This joint promotion with Oasis Centre allows us to reach out and expand our visibility to more potential customers among the shoppers. The winners will have the opportunity to experience Singapore Airlines’ premium quality customer service and product offerings.”

A mid-sized shopping mall, Oasis Centre houses a range of brands across categories, attracting customers with
its key strengths such as convenience of shopping and excellent value-for-money. Located centrally on Sheikh Zayed Road, the mall opened its doors to shoppers after a revamp in March 2009.