European Commission Commends Emirates’ Websites

The European Commission’s Director General for ‘Health and Consumers’ (DG SANCO), has confirmed that Emirates airline’s websites are fully compliant with all the requirements laid down in EU consumer legislation, and it further commended the airline for its commitment to consumer transparency.

In a statement, Commissioner Meglena Kuneva said: "I am delighted to confirm that contrary to some earlier reported indications, Emirates airline is fully in compliance with all the requirements laid down in EU consumer legislation that were monitored in the recent ’health check’ in relation to air ticket selling websites and therefore belongs to those companies that can serve as an example to be followed by others. I commend Emirates airline as a non-EU carrier for the observance of Community law and for the commitment to maintain these standards and to consumer protection in general demonstrated at a meeting held in Brussels on 17 June".

DG SANCO’s ‘health check’ investigation and report on airline websites published in May listed Emirates as being non-compliant. Subsequent discussions between the airline and DG SANCO confirmed that this was inaccurate.

Richard Vaughan, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, said: “We have had a number of open and productive conversations with DG SANCO over the past weeks. Although we were disappointed with how the original investigations were conducted, we are pleased that this is now resolved, and that consumers can be absolutely satisfied that Emirates’ websites not only fully comply with EU regulations, but also demonstrate leadership in terms of transparency and inclusive pricing.

“As a responsible global airline, our commercial operations are guided by fair business practices and transparency for our customers. All Emirates’ fares include taxes and surcharges and no service fees apply when bookings are made and paid for online. We also provide a breakdown of the fare components both online and with Global Distribution Systems (GDS).”

Mr Vaughan added: "Emirates wants to see high, universal standards across our industry to ensure a level playing field for those airlines, like Emirates, who adhere to transparency and the highest possible standards versus some who continue to practice more opaque pricing and other less consumer-friendly techniques".

A Visit To Mauritius Made Easier With Emirates

Connections to the paradise island of Mauritius are being stepped up with Emirates airline’s announcement of two additional flights per week starting 27th June 2009.

Emirates’ current daily service will escalate to nine flights per week, making it easier for leisure travellers to visit the popular island getaway.

The additional flights will operate on Thursdays and Saturdays and increase existing capacity by almost 20% per week per direction.

Since the start of its operations to Mauritius in 2002, Emirates has persistently promoted the island across its global network. The Dubai-based airline teamed up with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority to introduce the island’s tourist attractions to the travel trade and media in key Middle East markets. The campaign was closely followed by familiarisation tours for media and travel agents from this region as well as Russia.

Emirates Holidays’ annual brochure – A World of Choice – dedicates significant attention to specialised cruise, honeymoon, adventure and general family vacations in Mauritius.

Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Vice President Commercial Operations, West Asia & Indian Ocean said: “The increased frequency is representative of Emirates’ enhanced commitment to Mauritius. Our recent campaigns have stepped up demand for the route as well as opened up new feeder markets such as Russia and East Europe. The increasing number of tourists will welcome these additional flights as they will have more travel options and better connectivity. Flights from Emirates’ Middle East network and Russia connect within four hours to the Mauritius service.”

930,456 tourists visited Mauritius in 2008, representing a 2.6% increase in arrivals over the previous year.

Mr. Al Mualla added: “For Mauritian travellers, the enhanced capacity will provide increased departure options to Dubai, one of their favourite destinations, as well as to Emirates’ 99-city global network.”

“Emirates will continue to support the Mauritius government in its efforts to increase tourist arrivals.”

EK 3705 will take off from Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport at 10:20 hrs and touch down at SSR International Airport in Mauritius at 16:45 hrs. It will turn around as EK 3706, departing Mauritius at 18:30 hrs and arriving in Dubai at 01:00 hrs the following day.

Dubai’s First Low Cost Airline Takes Off

DUBAI, June 16/PRNewswire/ — flydubai Begins Commercial Operations With Flights to Four Destinations
in Nine Days

flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, became a reality on Monday, June 1, 2009, when its first commercial flight took off.

To view the Multimedia News Release, go to: http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/flydubai/38830/

The first flight, which was to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, was closely followed by flights to Amman, Jordan, on June 2, Damascus, Syria, on June 8 and Alexandria, Egypt, on June 9, giving the new airline a total of four
destinations in just nine days.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai said: "This region is very dependant on air transport. It is a great credit to the vision and leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that this airline has now taken off, thereby ensuring residents and visitors alike will be able to travel to more places more often."

The flydubai model is simple, with customers only paying for the services they want. The ticket price includes all taxes and one piece of hand baggage, weighing up to 10kg, per passenger.

Passengers have the option to purchase checked-in baggage in advance at just 40AED for the first piece and 100AED for the second, weighing up to 32kgs, subject to availability. Checked baggage is strictly subject to
availability and passengers are advised to book early to secure the space, as only pre-purchased baggage can be guaranteed.

A nominal payment of 5AED allows customers to select their seat and just 50AED secures the extra legroom positions. Tickets are changeable for a small fee, plus any difference in the fare, and food and drink can be purchased on board.

"flydubai aims to make travel a little less complex, a little less stressful and a little less expensive," explained flydubai’s CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith. "Our passengers have the option to customise their travel experience
depending on what services they want and how much they want to pay.

"We plan to stimulate the markets in which we operate and encourage people to travel to more places more often. flydubai’s aim is not to drive traffic away from the other carriers but to help grow these markets. When you
consider that low cost travel in this region could be as little as 2% of all air travel, as opposed to more than 20% in Europe and America, it is clear that there is a lot of untapped potential in these markets.

"In addition, flydubai will fly to airports that are currently underserved by the traditional carriers. In a region which is so dependant on air transport, we are looking forward to providing the reality of accessible, low cost, uncomplicated travel."

flydubai operates from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport. Customers can book their flights via the website, http://www.flydubai.com, the call centre, +9714 3010800, through
travel agents and branches of Emirates Post and Emirates NBD.

Emirates NBD Announces A Strategic Agreement With Flydubai

Emirates NBD, the region’s leading retail banking institution in terms of assets, proudly announces a strategic agreement with flydubai, which will facilitate ticket payments through its vast electronic banking channels.

flydubai is Dubai’s first low cost airline and began commercial operations with flights to Beirut on June 1, 2009. The airline has since begun flights to Amman, on June 2, Damascus on June 8 and Alexandria on June 9.

This agreement, which came into effect in June 2009, is the most recent from a series of initiatives developed by Emirates NBD that has lent support to the UAE government and its various programmes, and adds a new dimension of convenience to the lives of frequent travelers.

With this new partnership, customers booking flights online at www.flydubai.com can pay for their flights through Internet Banking, ATMs, Cash Deposit Machines, via SMS and phone banking services, as well as at the 110 bank branches throughout the UAE.

On this occasion, Jamal Bin Ghalaita, Deputy CEO at Emirates NBD said, “We are proud of our agreement with flydubai, as it facilitates tickets purchase and payment through our electronic banking network, which is the largest in the region; it also gives us yet another opportunity to provide the citizens and residents of the UAE with a service that offers them absolute convenience.”

“Like all UAE government programmes, flydubai is a visionary airline that will provide travelers with an affordable option to travel around the GCC region, and we will continue to contribute in adding more benefiots and options to flydubai services through our extensive electronic network consisting of eBanking, SMS Banking, ATMs, CDMs and others,” he added.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “At flydubai we are committed to making travel a little less complex, a little less stressful and a little less expensive. It is important to us to make it as easy as possible for our customers to book and pay for their tickets. Partnering with Emirates NBD ensures we are able to offer our customers a stress free and easily accessible means of paying for their flights.”

flydubai, will cover a region of some two billion inhabitants located within a 4.5hrs flight time from Dubai. It will support Dubai’s commercial and tourism sectors by serving a particular demographic of travelers and will give them an affordable air link to popular, high-demand destinations.

The flydubai model is simple, with customers paying for the services they want. The ticket price includes all taxes and a generous hand baggage allowance of 10kg. From there, customers are able to select other services at an additional charge. flydubai will operate from an enhanced and modernised Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport.

New Payment Methods Make Booking On Emirates.com Even Easier

Making on-line bookings and payments is now even easier thanks to the latest innovations featured on Emirates’ website at www.emirates.com

Payment options in many of the airline’s markets have now been widened, taking into account recent research on which payment methods are likely to most appeal to customers. Partnering with GlobalCollect, the world’s premier payment service provider of local e-payments, Emirates.com can now offer alternative payment methods in no fewer than 34 countries served by the site.

“In selecting these additional payment methods for customers using emirates.com we took a very local approach. Each country has its own unique preferred payment methods and we very much wanted to give options which catered for the needs of our customers in each market” said Richard Vaughan, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide. “Germany is an excellent example – Giropay is a very popular payment system there and we have now added this as an additional payment method for passengers purchasing tickets from the four cities in Germany from which we fly”, he continued.

Existing credit and charge card options like VISA, MasterCard, AMEX and Diner’s Club are expected to remain a popular choice with customers. Additional options now offered include real-time bank transfers, on-line banking and offline bank transfers, allowing passengers to make direct fund transfers. Passengers will also now be able to send payment for their tickets at selected Western Union Agent locations, using the Western Union Quick Pay service or via their PayPal accounts. There are also some market-specific options like Solo and Maestro cards in the UK.

One of the new benefits the airline believes will be most useful to customers, is the opening up of the option for a third party to make a payment on behalf of another passenger. So far this facility has not been offered, in order to prevent any possibility of fraud in an on-line transaction. However, with the addition of alternative payment methods like Western Union Quick Pay and bank transfers, this concern is reduced because the transactions are done via cash at an agent location or a cash transfer directly from a bank account, allowing, for example, someone to pay for a ticket booked for another family member.

In response to customer demand Emirates also now offers the option for passengers who purchase their tickets via emirates.com using selected payment methods, to do so in the particular currency in which they are charged. This provides the customer with greater transparency as the final charge will appear on their statement in their chosen currency. Payment can now be made in one of 14 different major currencies.

Emirates Launches Unbeatable Family Friendly Holiday Offer in Time for Dubai Summer Surprises

Coinciding with their participation in Dubai Summer Surprises as a key sponsor for the twelfth edition of the summer extravaganza this year, Emirates has recently launched the ‘Kids Go Free’ promotion offering families from across the globe an incredible saving when they visit Dubai with Emirates. The promotion will run up to 20th September, 2009. The promotion, which has been developed to further attract international visitors to Dubai across DSS, will see one child under the age of 16 years fly free and up to a maximum of two children stay, eat and play in Dubai for free when travelling with two paying adults; once again proving that Dubai is the ultimate family friendly holiday destination.
 
Collaborating with some of the emirate’s most impressive attractions this one-of-a-kind offer will provide families with the opportunity to take an exciting break, in a unique destination, without breaking the bank.
 
“Dubai Summer Surprises is an important event in Dubai’s calendar. Each year the festival attracts thousands of international visitors into Dubai to shop, explore and be entertained in the emirate. This year, Emirates has launched an innovative and competitive promotion called Kids Go Free, that we believe will further push travel to Dubai, said Ahmed Khoory, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran Emirates.
 
“The Kids Go Free offer allows families from across the globe to take a well deserved break, in an exciting destination, without the financial strain an international holiday can bring. Knowing that their child will travel, stay, eat and play for free takes a huge degree of financial pressure off the family budget. We hope that this enticing offer from Emirates will enable more families to experience Dubai Summer Surprises and have their annual holiday in this exciting destination.”
 
The Kids Go Free promotion is applicable for passengers travelling with Emirates to Dubai from select destinations around the world and includes Meet and Assist at Dubai International Airport.
 
A total of 33 hotels in Dubai are participating in the promotion with a hotel to suit every family’s budget and preference, from a six star luxury hotel to serviced apartments. In addition to free flights, accommodation and meals children will also have free entry to a wide range of Dubai’s most interesting children’s attractions, ensuring an action packed family vacation. Some of these exciting and complimentary activities include;
 
• Wild Wadi Water Park, including a medium meal
• The Lost Chambers at Atlantis The Palm Dubai
• Dubai Aquarium and Underwater Zoo in Dubai Mall
• Dubai Ice Rink in Dubai Mall
• Sega Republic Indoor Theme Park in Dubai Mall (opening June 2009)
• Ski Dubai in Mall of the Emirates
• Bowling at Magic Planet in the Mall of the Emirates
• Round of golf and access to the driving range at The Montgomerie Dubai
 
The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest, will also provide each family with some incredible discounts to be utilised within the mall, helping families save even more money and make good use of the recently announced increase to Emirates’ free baggage allowance.
 
For further details and full terms and conditions please contact your local Emirates office.

Emirates commits further to India

Emirates airline announces a further expansion of its India operation as India propels itself to become one of the world’s fastest–growing aviation industries encouraged by a liberalization of its skies.
 
The Dubai–based airline will add 22 weekly flights as a support for the Indian government’s ambitious growth plan to attract 100 million travellers in 2010. The existing service of 163 flights per week to 10 Indian gateways will be strengthened to 185 over the summer and winter periods. High demand routes – Ahmedabad, Chennai, Kolkata, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram – will be the chief beneficiaries.
 
Underlying Emirates’ continued investment in India, the airline’s expansion programme closely follows its ‘Journey through India’ campaign which involved a major revamp of the inflight product to meet regional preferences of India’s diverse populace.
 
Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Vice President, Commercial Operations West Asia and Indian Ocean said: “The global slowdown is not over yet, but the outlook for the future is showing signs of improvement. When traditional European markets dried up, India was quick to refocus its trade and marketing efforts in targeting regions not severely affected by the economic downturn such as the Middle East, Eastern Europe, Africa and parts of Southeast Asia. Emirates has a robust global network spanning over 100 cities in more than 60 countries and is well–placed to connect India to the world.
 
“Already, Emirates is witnessing a surge in the number of Middle East travellers seeking medical tourism options in India, given the favourable exchange rate and world–class facilities available.”
 
Ahmedabad
Emirates will serve Ahmedabad with a double–daily operation, adding six weekly flights to its existing eight–flights–a–week service. The expansion will be undertaken in a phased manner with three flights added on 2nd June and another three on 26th October. Pharmaceutical exports will receive a major impetus as the cargo capacity on the route will increase to 236 tonnes per week per direction.
 
Chennai
Emirates’ Chennai service will become a triple–daily with the addition of two flights between October and December this year, making Emirates the largest international carrier to operate from the city. Cargo exports from the city take the form of textiles, garments, electrical and electronic goods, machinery and spares, leather products, pharmaceuticals, perishables, valuables and mobile phones. The enhanced cargo capacity of 343 tonnes per week per direction will increase the city’s export potential to Europe, America, Africa and the Middle East.
 
Kolkata
Kolkata is a key gateway for business and leisure travellers from the Middle East and Europe seeking easier passage to North–East India. Emirates will enhance connectivity to the city with five additional flights from 3rd December, bringing its total frequency to 12 per week. Export of fresh fruits, vegetables, jute, leather, silk and tea will benefit from an improved cargo capacity of 190 tonnes per week per direction.
 
Kozhikode
Kozhikode – a port city in the Indian state of Kerala – has been frequented by Middle East traders as early as the seventh century. The airline will further strengthen its Dubai – Kozhikode connection by adding five flights from 2nd December. Post expansion Emirates will operate 11 flights offering 157 tonnes of belly–cargo capacity per week per direction. 
 
Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram is known for its beach resorts, famous backwaters, and close proximity to neighbouring hill–stations and world heritage sites. Emirates will boost its access to this tourist gateway with the introduction of four additional flights between October and December, bringing its total frequency to the city to 12 flights a week.
 
With increases allocated to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, Emirates will serve the South Indian state of Kerala with 37 weekly flights, boosting the inbound tourism potential for the picturesque state.  

Sizzling Summer Treats From Emirates

Emirates airline is ramping up the summer excitement as it unleashes a host of special offers to Bangkok – its next A380 instalment, starting 1st June.

To celebrate the launch of its revolutionary A380 product to Bangkok, Emirates is offering UAE travellers an exclusive Economy class return fare of Dhs 1,635, while Business and First class return fares start from Dhs 5,655 and Dhs 11,655 respectively. Fares are inclusive of taxes and ticketing must be completed by 31st May.

The one-time price special, available only on Emirates’ A380 daily service to/from Bangkok on EK 372/373, is matched with attractive accommodation offers at 12 Marriott Thailand properties. These include a complimentary night and free children’s meal for every two nights booked by the passenger. The hotel offers are valid from 1st June to 31st October.

EK 372 departs Dubai at 09:40 hours, arriving in Bangkok at 19:00 hours. It turns around as EK 373 departing Bangkok at 21:25 hours and arriving in Dubai at 00:30 hours the following morning.

UAE travellers’ reasons to rejoice do not end here. The Thai government recently announced its decision to withdraw tourist visa application fees up to 4th June 2009, adding further impetus to the Dubai-Bangkok-Dubai holiday traffic.

Khalid bel Jaflah, Emirates’ Vice President, Commercial Operations UAE noted: “Bangkok is very popular with UAE-based expatriates and nationals. The city is a magical Oriental metropolis containing a splendid heritage of culture, art, and architecture that thrive amongst the new high-rise shopping and entertainment centres. What better way to travel to this popular holiday hotspot than on Emirates’ new A380 which has received glowing reviews from global media and trade circles. I am confident our A380 Bangkok summer specials will be enthusiastically welcomed by UAE’s leisure travellers.”

Emirates’ ground-breaking A380 in-flight product mirrors the ambience of an executive club with onboard shower spas in First class and an onboard lounge for First and Business class customers. The lounge includes a bar featuring a wide selection of beverages and canapes.

The aircraft is set in a three-class configuration of 14 First, 76 Business and 399 Economy Class seats. The entire upper deck is dedicated to Premium Class passengers. First Class boasts flat-bed massage-equipped private suites while Business Class offers a new generation of intelligent seating and flat-beds. Passengers in Economy will appreciate the straight walls throughout the cabin that lend to a more spacious ambience, enhanced further by generous seats and wider aisles.

Other revolutionary features offered across all classes include mood-lighting to reduce jet lag and an award-winning, bespoke entertainment system featuring 1000-plus channels of on-demand entertainment.

Emirates To Assist New Dubai Airline

The Government of Dubai’s announcement to set up a new airline will result in the formation of a new company that will operate a low-cost airline model with its own brand and identity. Although the new airline will be initially supported by Emirates during the set-up period, it will not be part of the Emirates Group.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, has been appointed by the government as Chairman of the new low-cost airline; and Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide at Emirates, has been appointed Chief Executive of the new entity.

Initially the new airline will operate regionally within the GCC area and surrounding countries.

Sheikh Ahmed said: "Emirates will assist in the formation of Dubai’s new low-cost airline up to its first flight. I am confident that with Ghaith as the CEO, this new airline will be very successful. The Emirates Group will assist him in forming the new company and will continue to give all support as required up to its inauguration."

Mr. Al Ghaith will relinquish his role at Emirates in the near future.

Emirates Launches Best Price in the UAE

Emirates has recently launched ‘Best Price’ in the UAE, guaranteeing all customers who make a booking through emirates.com/ae that they will not find a better Emirates fare elsewhere on the web.

Wherever customers see the Best Price symbol they can confidently book their Emirates flight, with the assurance that they are receiving the best possible Emirates fare. The easily identifiable Best Price symbol guarantees the best online fares through www.emirates.com/ae.

“Best Price is a new and exciting customer service pledge and we are delighted that the UAE has been selected as one of the first countries globally to initiate this service,” said Khalid bel Jaflah – Vice President Commercial Operations, UAE Emirates.

“Emirates is one of very few airlines in the world offering its customers this guarantee, further establishing our dedication to putting the needs of our valued customers first.”

Best Price has been launched to further optimize the strong consumer proposition offered by Emirates.com, strengthening customer relations and providing added value to Emirates’ loyal customers.

If a customer finds a better Emirates fare for the same itinerary on another website, with the same flight at least USD 20 cheaper, Emirates will refund the difference.

To further promote the launch of Best Price, Emirates has developed some exciting special online fares, opening up the globe to UAE travellers. Covering six continents fares start from; AED 4,295 to Los Angeles, AED 2,365 to Munich, AED 1,645 to Cairo and 1,125 to Karachi.

Customers can easily identify Emirates Best Price by logging on to www.emirates.com/ae and clicking on the Best Price symbol.

Emirates currently operates over 1000 weekly flights from Dubai.