Etihad takes off to Frankfurt
Etihad Airways has officially launched its route to Frankfurt. Flight EY 325 will take off from Abu Dhabi to Frankfurt.
Commenting on the Frankfurt flight launch, HE Dr Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saif Al Nahyan, chairman of Civil Aviation Department in Abu Dhabi and chairman of Etihad Airways said, “The launch of this new route to Frankfurt marks yet another significant milestone since we launched the airline in 2003, further strengthening the bond between the UAE and Germany. We are confident that the launch of Etihad’s new route to Frankfurt will facilitate even more opportunities in investment, tourism and commerce,” added Jurgen Steltzer, the German Ambassador to the UAE.
Lufthansa to launch travel survey on albawaba.com
Lufthansa together with albawaba.com have taken innovative steps to create one of the first online travel surveys in the Middle East in English and Arabic.
The survey targets frequent international travelers and seeks to find out their travel preferences in general and with Lufthansa as an airline. Uwe Wriedt, Lufthansa's general manager and director for Gulf and Pakistan, said “Lufthansa goes the extra mile to show its presence in the region thus striving to demonstrate the quality products, customer service strengths and hospitality of the airline.” Mark Gatty Saunt, gulf director at Al Bawaba said, “By providing this survey on albawaba.com, we are hoping to gain a better understanding of our users international travel habits. This will result in targeted advertising campaigns and well spent advertising budgets.”
Qatar Airways announces new schedules and routes
Qatar Airways recently announced the schedules for its new flights to the Iranian city of Mashad. The city will be served non-stop twice-a-week from Doha. The route will be operated with an Airbus A320 in a two-class configuration. Mashad becomes Qatar Airways’ second Iranian point to be served from Doha, following flights to the capital Tehran. Qatar Airways has also announced the schedules to Alexandria, East Africa and to Athens. Alexandria will be served non-stop three-times-a-week from Doha. The Greek capital will be served non-stop six-times-a-week from Doha. And, QA will start their scheduled flights to Nairobi from November 2005.The Kenyan capital will be served non-stop five-times-a-week from Doha.
Lufthansa offers five nonstop flight to Algiers
Lufthansa passengers now have an additional direct flight to North Africa. The airline will be offering five nonstop flights a week from Frankfurt to Algiers. On Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday, a Boeing 737 with the flight number LH 4124 will depart from Frankfurt at 22.30 hrs., arriving in the Algerian capital at 0.10 hrs. The return flight will leave Algiers at 2.15 hrs and will land in Frankfurt at 6.00 hrs.There was already a Lufthansa connection with Algiers from April 1976 to the end of 1990 which had to be suspended for economic reasons.
New gate closure policy by Emirates at Dubai airport
Emirates airline is now ensuring on-time departures from Dubai International Airport by closing the gate 15 minutes before departure. Passengers arriving later will not be able to board the aircraft, thus ensuring that passengers already seated will not be inconvenienced by delays and possible missed connections. Emirates' customers are requested to check-in three hours before departure, when travelling in Economy class, one hour beforehand, when travelling in First or Business Class. All passengers are expected to be at the boarding gate 35 minutes before departure. Transit passengers from flights arriving into Dubai will be escorted by airport staff through formalities to ensure they make their onward connections. Passengers will be given verbal reminders about the new 15 minute gate closure policy, when they check in.
Qatar Airways flies high with global accolades
Qatar Airways has continued its award-winning streak at the annual World Airline Awards 2005. The airline has been voted the Best First Class and Business Class products in the Middle East, Qatar Airways’ cabin crew have been named Best in the Middle East for the third year running, and fifth best inflight crew in the world. The Doha-based carrier also holds the ranking of being among the top 10 airlines in the world for the second year. Qatar Airways’ First Class lounge in Doha, has been named among the top 10 in the world and Qatar Airways’ inflight cuisine in – First, Business and Economy – has been widely recognised as being among the best in the world, achieving top-10 status.
Air Arabia increases Beirut flights
Air Arabia, the Middle East region's first and only low-cost airline has added two additional morning flights per week due to popular demand between Sharjah and Beirut, giving customers the option to fly day and night to Beirut. Now with nine flights weekly to Beirut, Air Arabia offers a convenient and affordable way to travel to the Lebanon. To ease any holiday booking requirements, Air Arabia also offers a comprehensive online booking facility through airarabia.com which provides a link to OctopusTravel.com, allowing access to a wide range of discount accommodation across the region. Customers can also browse extensive information on everything and can obtain real time availability for accommodation and finalise bookings, complete with voucher print outs and location maps.