Emirates To Offer Triple Daily Non-Stop Flights To Manchester

Emirates Airline is boosting its route to Manchester with the introduction of a third daily non-stop flight to cater for a continued growth in demand. With the introduction of the additional flight, Emirates will become the first carrier to operate three daily flights to Manchester from the same long haul destination.

The new service, which commences on 1st May, 2011, will increase Emirates’ capacity by 25%.

“Manchester is a real success story. To be adding a third flight just months after introducing our 517-seat A380 superjumbo to the route reflects surging demand for our flights in and out of the north west of England," said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation.

The additional flight will depart daily from Manchester at 9.40am, giving North West travellers a broader choice of flights to Dubai and beyond, with enhanced connections to Thailand, and cities in the Indian sub-continent and Middle East, as well as other points across Emirates’ global network.

The introduction of the new service comes less than a year after Emirates introduced the double-decker Airbus A380 on its lunchtime service from Manchester – the first time any airline had operated the ‘superjumbo’ on services from a regional airport. The A380’s arrival heralded greater traveller choice with the introduction of First Class cabins, alongside Business and Economy, on Emirates’ flights from Manchester, and also added much needed extra capacity.

"Since bringing the A380 to Manchester last September the route to Dubai has been one of Emirates’ strongest performers and we saw a full compliment of 517 in November so we know the traffic is there and the third daily service underlines the strength of this route and the importance of the Middle East to our longer term ambitions as an airport,” said Andrew Harrison, Managing Director of Manchester Airport. “Emirates’ operation in the North West has grown rapidly since it launched a twice-weekly service from Manchester in 1990."

The new service will be operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration seating 12 First Class, 42 Business Class and 183 Economy Class passengers. Once on board, passengers will be able to experience Emirates’ award-winning service and multi course meals prepared by leading international chefs.
Emirates offers a complimentary* chauffeur drive service to whisk First and Business Class passengers to the airport from their home or office. After check in, they can relax in the Emirates Lounge at Manchester – the most luxurious at the airport, which was opened in October 2009.

The new flight EK022 will depart Manchester (Terminal 1) at 9.40am daily, arriving into Dubai at 8.00pm. The return flight from Dubai EK021 departs at 3am arriving in Manchester at 7.55am (all times local).
 

 

Emirates Boosts South African Services With Second Daily Flight To Cape Town

Emirates is to strengthen its commitment to South Africa with the launch of a second daily flight to Cape Town. The new service will offer passengers more choice and flexibility, as well as connect seamlessly to a wide range of onward destinations.

“South Africa and the United Arab Emirates enjoy a thriving trade and investment relationship and the launch of our second daily service to Cape Town will help boost this further by supporting new business and tourism opportunities,” said Richard Vaughan, Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations Worldwide.

“We have seen very strong inbound and outbound demand for our South African services over the last year. This new frequency will bring one of South Africa’s leading tourist destinations within easier reach for visitors, as well as meet the needs of our South African customers for enhanced connections from Cape Town to Europe, the Far East and a host of other points across Emirates’ extensive global network,” added Vaughan.

Starting on the 27th March, Emirates will fly non-stop twice a day to Cape Town. The new service will be operated by an Airbus 340-500 aircraft in a three-class configuration, providing 12 luxurious First Class private suites, 42 angled lie-flat beds in Business and 204 generously-sized Economy Class seats.

Known for its dramatic natural skylines, amazing wildlife and for being a melting pot of cultural influences, Cape Town is a hub of creativity and a magnet for artists and performers. It is estimated that the ‘Mother City’ attracted three million visitors in 2010, with almost 63 per cent coming from Europe.

While flying to Cape Town, passengers in all classes can experience the award-winning ice entertainment system, which features more than 1,200 channels of on-demand including the latest blockbuster movies, 100 TV channels, more than 500 audio channels, 100 video games plus real time news, sports and business headlines.

Flight EK772 will depart Dubai (DXB) at 03:50, arriving in Cape Town (CPT) at 11:40 the same day. EK773 leaves Cape Town at 13:40 and arrives in Dubai at 01:15 the following day, connecting seamlessly to key centres in Europe, the Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East.

The strengthening of Emirates’ South African routes comes after the airline helped to support the country’s hugely successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. As an official FIFA Partner, Emirates helped to bring the world to South Africa by flying in football fans from across its network of six continents.

Emirates currently serves 19 passenger and cargo destinations across the African continent. The new Cape Town frequencies will mean that the airline now flies 42 times a week to its three South African gateways: Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.
 

The Dubai Fountain To Showcase Glittering Fire Water Shows Daily From Dec. 18

The Dubai Fountain is going on fire! The world’s tallest performing fountain located in Downtown Dubai – the ‘centre of now’ – will unveil an unprecedented spectacle wherein water jets will flutter to rhythmic melody along with live flames in a spectacular fire-water-music show.

The ‘Fire & Water’ show at The Dubai Fountain is part of an impressive line-up of events to celebrate the festive season at Downtown Dubai, and will commence from Dec. 18. All regular shows of the fountain, held every 20 minutes from 6pm, will feature the fire element, offering a never-before-seen experience for visitors.

Mr Ahmad Al Matrooshi, Managing Director, Emaar Properties, said: “Downtown Dubai, the new heart of the city and the must-visit tourist destination, is hosting a whole array of breathtaking celebrations this festive season. The ‘Fire & Water’ show at The Dubai Fountain flags off the festive calendar, with several surprises in store for visitors during the coming weeks.”

The Dubai Fountain overlooks Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, and lines the Waterfront Promenade of The Dubai Mall, the world’s largest shopping and entertainment destination.

Set on the Burj Lake, the fountain is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Dubai, attracting thousands of visitors every day. The Dubai Mall and the adjoining Souk Al Bahar – an Arabesque themed shopping mall – have several waterfront restaurants that offer spectacular views of the fountain.

The Dubai Fountain sways to the rhythm of several songs that are updated regularly. These include ‘Sama Dubai,’ a tribute to His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President & Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, and another Emirati composition Insh Al Aldar, associated with festive solidarity and dancing, reflecting the UAE’s cultural traditions.

At over 900 ft (275 metres) in length, The Dubai Fountain has been designed by Californian based WET, also the creators of the Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas. The new ‘fire’ addition is facilitated through Flame Generators, at least 60 of them strategically located in the lake.

In addition to world-class homes and offices, Downtown Dubai, a 500-acre mega-development by Emaar Properties, also features six world-class hotels – Armani Hotel Dubai, the world’s first Armani Hotel located in Burj Khalifa; The Address Downtown Dubai; The Address Dubai Mall; The Palace – The Old Town; and Al Manzil and Qamardeen at The Old Town. Emaar Boulevard, a 3.5 km boulevard, hosts several lifestyle activities including the Emirates Classic Car Festival held recently as part of the UAE National Day celebrations.

Downtown Dubai also hosted several lifestyle events including the music concerts by Saudi Arabian singer Mohammed Abdo as part of the Eid in Dubai celebrations, and by Emirati singer Hussain Al Jasmi.
 

DGCX Indian Rupee Futures Daily Volume Surpasses 5,000 Contracts For The First Time

The Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange (DGCX) announced that trading in Indian Rupee/Dollar futures crossed the 5,000 contracts mark on  Friday October 8th, 2010, reaching an all time daily high of 5,201 contracts, valued at US $ 234.08 million.

The new daily volume record surpassed the previous peak of 4,724  contracts, valued at US $212.16 million, set on October 7th, 2010. The daily high follows the DGCX Indian Rupee futures’ fourth straight monthly volume record of 69,917 contracts set in September 2010. Year-to-date volume for Indian Rupee futures reached 192,628 contracts at the end of September, a growth of 195% on last year.

"The outstanding run of DGCX Indian Rupee/Dollar futures YTD demonstrates the growing demand for trading the contract among our membership base. Apart from the fact that it provides an ideal financial tool to manage price risk in the Indian Rupee, the product’s performance has been driven by its improved liquidity, low cost trading and easy access to DGCX markets," said Eric Hasham, Chief Executive Officer, DGCX.
 

Emirates To Go Daily To Al Medinah Al Munawarah

Emirates will increase services to Al Medinah al Munawarah to seven flights per week from 31st October 2010 underscoring the important economic and cultural ties between the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The airline remains committed to the Kingdom with a total of 25 flights per week operating through its four gateways. These three new services will bring the number to 28 flights per week as well as increasing additional capacity to the Kingdom by 15 percent.

“Saudi Arabia is an important market for Emirates and our new daily service to Al Medinah al Munawarah is key to our continued growth there. In the last two years we have increased operations to the Kingdom from 17 to 25 weekly flights and we will continue to work closely with the Saudi Authorities to implement additional services,” said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran.

Mr. Khoory continued: “This daily service will offer our customers in the Kingdom with even more choice, helping to connect both business and leisure travellers not only to Dubai but also our extensive worldwide network. There is significant demand for travel in and out of Al Medinah al Munawarah from across our network and we are confident that these new flights will be well received by our customers.”

Emirates’ first flight to Al Medinah al Munawarah landed on July 2nd 2010. The service remains on a temporary schedule until 26th March 2011.

From 31st October the seven weekly flights to Al Medinah al Munawarah will depart Dubai each day at 0115 hours and will arrive in Al Medinah al Munawarah at 0315 hours. On the return journey the flight will depart Al Medinah al Munawarrah at 0445 hours, arriving in Dubai at 0815 hours. Emirates’ currently has four scheduled flights to the city departing on a Tuesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The service is operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, offering 12 seats in First class, 42 seats in Business Class and 183 seats in Economy.
 

Emirates To Launch Second Daily Flights To Houston And L.A. In Major Boost To U.S. Services

Emirates, the Dubai-based international carrier, has underlined its commitment to the United States by announcing the launch of second daily flights to Los Angeles and Houston.

The award-winning airline, which recorded a significant increase in revenue for the Americas in 2009-10, will soon offer over 15,000 seats on 98 return flights per week to the United States.

Starting 31st October for Los Angeles and 1st November for Houston, Emirates will fly non-stop to both cities twice a day on Boeing 777 aircraft. The services will provide the highest standards of passenger comfort, with luxurious private suites in First Class, lie-flat beds in Business Class and generously-sized Economy Class seats.

Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said: “Emirates has experienced very strong demand across all of its U.S. gateways this year, including very healthy premium and business traffic. We are delighted to meet this increased demand with the start of second daily services to both Houston and Los Angeles.”

Mr Clark continued: “The additional services will provide customers in the Middle East and Asia with even easier access to the largest cities in Texas and California, supporting the burgeoning business and leisure traffic between these markets and the United States.”

Emirates’ services play a significant role in supporting trade and tourism between the United Arab Emirates and America. Since the airline launched its first flight to New York in 2004, the value of trade between the two nations has almost tripled, reaching US$12.7 billion in the 12 months to June 2010.

The additional flights will provide further impetus to the U.A.E.’s strengthening trade relationship with the States, which saw US exports reach US$11.4billion this year – making the U.A.E. the largest consumer of American exports in the Middle East and North Africa.

Key imports from the United States include machinery, computer and electronic products, primary metal manufacturing, chemicals and transport equipment. Last month, Emirates ordered 30 Boeing 777-300ER aircraft and placed a US$2.0 billion order for US-manufactured GE90-115B Engines to power the US-built aircraft, which will add to the airline’s fleet of 65 777-300ER and 777-200LR that are currently in service.

Over 750 US firms have set up offices in Dubai and 400,000 American business and leisure travellers visited the Emirate last year, a 23 per cent increase from 2007-08.

Home of the United States’ second largest exporter, Texas is a strategically important trade hub and a key centre of the nation’s oil industry. In 2009, Texan exports to the U.A.E. reached over $1.7 billion – representing export growth of over 192 per cent since 2002.

The second largest city in the U.S., Los Angeles is the world-renowned capital of the film industry and an important centre for culture and international trade. Other significant industries in L.A. include aerospace, agriculture, petroleum and tourism. California is the third largest US exporter to the UAE. Exports from California totalled US$1.2billion in 2009 – an increase of 338 percent since 2002.

Emirates currently flies nonstop to four U.S. cities: New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The airline will reinstate its flagship A380 aircraft on one of its double-daily JFK services from 31st October.

Emirates was the first carrier to launch non-stop operations from Dubai to both Houston, which started on 3rd December 2007; and Los Angeles, which began services on 26th October 2008.

The additional U.S. services come during a busy summer for the airline. Aside from the Boeing 777 order, FIFA World Cup sponsorship and new destination launches, Emirates further expanded its fleet with an order for 32 additional A380s at the Berlin Air Show in June. This order, valued at US$11.5 billion, adds to the 58 A380 aircraft previously ordered, 11 of which are currently in service.
 

5,700 Iftar Meals To Be Distributed Daily In Dubai Municipality Labour Camps

The Housing and Internal Transport Unit in the Salaries and Services Section of the Human Resources Department of Dubai Municipality has completed all preparations to distribute 5,700 Iftar meals daily in the Municipality Labour Camp throughout the holy month of Ramadan.

Iftar meals will be distributed to Municipality employees, who stay in the different labour camp sites of Dubai Municipality in the city in Muhaisina (Al Qusais), Al Aweer and Al Quoz.

The food is supplied by the Zabeel Office of the UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum and the Red Crescent Authority.

The Islamic Affairs and Charitable Activities Department in Dubai will bring for the first time some of the scholars who are specialists in giving religious lectures for the labourers and also to listen to the Holy Quran recitation by the workers, who have memorized the holy book. They will also distribute some prizes to these labourers.
 

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.
 

KM Retail Opens Its First Store – KM Daily – In Dubai’s Abu Hail Area

Mohammad Korath, Chairman of Korath Holding, cuts the ribbon during the inaugural ceremony of KM Retail’s first store – KM Daily – in UAE located at Abu Hail in Dubai. Also appearing in the picture to his right is Riyaz Korath, CEO of Korath Holding, along with other guests, VK Ashraf (extreme left) and Nasser Ali Nasser Al Ghaithi (extreme right).

Designed to meet international standards in retail shopping experience, KM Retail will open multiple KM retail format stores including convenience stores, supermarkets, department stores and hypermarkets under the names KM Daily, KM Value, KM Experience and KM respectively.

 

Customers Cash In With Daily Prize Draws

Five lucky shoppers have already walked away AED 30,000 richer after entering the daily prize draws held at Mall of the Emirates, Deira City Centre and the new Mirdif City Centre, as part of the ongoing ‘Super Deals’ promotion in the lead up to Dubai Summer Surprises 2010.

Until June 16th customers at the three retail destinations, have the chance to win daily AED 30,000 shopping sprees simply by spending AED 300 at any of the malls to enter the draw.

The prizes come in conjunction with a combined mall wide ‘mega’ sale, where all three of Dubai’s favourite retail hubs are offering big discounts, irresistible deals and exclusive promotions with over 1,200 stores to choose from.

The first five winners of the promotion that begun on June 1st include four UAE Residents – Laura Elikem, Soraya Nahmias, Joyce Denohoe, and Merlyn Aguilar, and an Iranian tourist, Ramin Shaluiri, who each received an AED 30,000 shopping spree.