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Emirates opens 35th lounge in Milan
EMIRATES opened its 35th dedicated lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers as well as Platinum and Gold members of Emirates Skywards – the airline’s frequent flyer programme, at Milan Malpensa Airport. The Emirates Lounge at Milan Malpensa Airport, a €2.48 million ($3.21 million) investment, is the first international lounge to feature the airline’s contemporary new interior design.
The largest dedicated lounge at the Milan Malpensa Airport, the lounge is located in the third satellite area of Milan Malpensa Airport and offers seating for 158 customers over 929 sq m. Guests can enjoy an array of luxurious facilities and amenities that include LED TVs, comfortable leather armchairs, a choice of formal and relaxed seating, a quiet area, a dining area, shower facilities, business centre, water feature and bespoke artworks. The lounge also has a dedicated prayer room.
Iata opens Middle East office
THE International Air Transport Association (Iata) announced the establishment of its Gulf Area office in Abu Dhabi, effective June 1, 2013. The new agreement formally establishes Iata’s presence in the GCC with an office covering activities in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Qatar, in addition to the UAE. It supersedes an agreement with the Sharjah Airport Authority, under which IATA’s first office in the UAE was established in 1996.
The Abu Dhabi office will report to the Association’s Middle East and North Africa Regional Office in Amman, Jordan. Together they will make available the full range of Iata’s services and member benefits to airlines operating in the region. This includes managing the local operations of the Iata Industry Settlement Systems, the Iata Operational Safety Audit and delivering leadership as the industry establishes and implements global standards to support the flagship Simplifying the Business program, among other activities.
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Virgin Atlantic unveils new aircraft
‘WHERE’S Wally?’, the iconic global traveller will appear alongside Virgin Atlantic’s ‘flying lady’ on the side of a Boeing 747 aircraft as the airline celebrates its 25th anniversary. Wally Watchers and plane spotters can find the design proudly displayed on the jet “Barbarella” for a year as she flies between the UK, US and Caribbean.
The inaugural flight lifted off on March 5, 2013 from London Gatwick and arrived in St Lucia. Passengers on-board received special Where’s Wally? goodies including masks, books and postcards.
HIA welcomes 10 airlines
STARTING April 1, 2013, Qatar’s iconic new Hamad International Airport (HIA) began operations for 10 passenger airlines including Air Arabia, Air India Express, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, flydubai, Iran Air, Nepal Airlines, Pakistan International Airlines, RAK Airways, Syrian Air and Yemen Airways. Qatar Airways’ flights will move its entire operations from the current Doha International Airport (DIA) to HIA by the end of the year. There will be around 32 passenger flights departing daily from HIA equating to approximately 222 flights per week. Along with the concourse B opening on April 1, 2013, the eastern runway, which is the longest of the two runways at HIA, and the uniquely designed, crescent-shaped air traffic control tower, will also be in operation.
For transport between airports, arriving and departing passengers will be able to use the shuttle bus service which will be operating from HIA to DIA Departures terminal and vice versa.