We’re getting close to our annual Arabian Business Awards at the end of November. One of the perks of the job is you get to see a lot of huge success stories. For all the doom and gloom blowing from the West, I can assure everyone that there has been no shortage again of outstanding business performances across all sectors.
All will of course be revealed on the big night on Sunday, Nov 20, though I couldn’t help but notice two companies in the same sector that seem to defy all logic. Two companies, in the most challenging of conditions, that keep delivering.
I’m talking about Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways. Political instability, natural disasters and a host of other problems have made aviation one of the worst industries to be in. Yet in March, Emirates announced its net profit race up 52 percent to $1.5bn (for the year to 31 March), while passenger numbers rocketed 14.5 percent to 31.4 million. Revenues, up 25 percent, are now close to a staggering $15bn a year. No wonder the experts are suggesting Emirates could place orders for more than 30 new A380s and Boeing 777s at next month’s Dubai Airshow.
Can anyone hope to compete with that kind of performance? Well, apparently so. Etihad has just released its Q3 figures for 2011 and they show revenues rising 39 percent to $1.1 bn. Seat factors are now an incredible 80.7 percent. Etihad has only been around for eight years, but CEO James Hogan is confident that this will be the year of break even, with next year one of profit. And while Emirates now has 111 destinations, Etihad is not far behind with 86 destinations now on the books.
Dubai's Emirates airline and other Middle East carriers should be forced to freeze their expansion plans to routes in India and the country's Ministry of Civil Aviation should look at options for rollback of existing routes granted to foreign airlines, ...
Emirates, the largest international airlineoperating to/from India, holds around a 40% capacity share on India-UAEservices, 23% of capacity on Middle East-India services and an approximate 10% capacity (seats) share of total international air traffic...
We now end up with the two airlines bringing in $1.7bn of profit. Or rather, based on IATA projections, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways will in 2012 account for 35 percent of all the profits made by every airline on the planet....
An Emirates AirlinesAirbus A330 passenger jet taxis on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport. Scott Deveau, Financial Post · Sept. 29, 2011 | Last Updated: Sept. 29, 2011 9:01 AM ET After years of having its expansion plans shunned by Ottawa, ...
Nearly one-third of the 32 million international passengers travelling to/from India in 2009/10 travelled on international carriers, leveraging sixth freedom rights, with only a third of current weekly seats and ASKs deployed international from India being operated by Indian carriers. Carriers such as Emirates, Lufthansa, British Airways, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines have successfully expanded in the Indian market, often at the expense of local carriers, and offering onward connections via their respective hubs to destinations in US and Europe, currently underserved by the local airlines.
In the Comptroller and Auditor General of India's (CAG) report on Air India released in Sep-2011, it was noted the percentage of sixth freedom carriage in 2009/10 of total passengers carried was as high as 59% for Emirates, 78% for Qatar Airlines, 87% for Lufthansa, 49% for Singapore Airlines and 61% for British Airways. These five carriers together hold a 23.4% capacity (ASKs) share of international services to/from India. [2905 words]
Emirates, the largest international airlineoperating to/from India, holds around a 40% capacity share on India-UAEservices, 23% of capacity on Middle East-India services and an approximate 10% capacity (seats) share of total international air traffic...
We now end up with the two airlines bringing in $1.7bn of profit. Or rather, based on IATA projections, Emirates Airline and Etihad Airways will in 2012 account for 35 percent of all the profits made by every airline on the planet....
... stanch supporters and organisers of well over 30 local and international sporting events, including their own WTA and ATP sanctioned Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to the highly popular IRB recognised Emirates Airlines Dubai Rugby 7's tournament.
An Emirates AirlinesAirbus A330 passenger jet taxis on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport. Scott Deveau, Financial Post · Sept. 29, 2011 | Last Updated: Sept. 29, 2011 9:01 AM ET After years of having its expansion plans shunned by Ottawa, ...
Following just two years of commercial flights, Flydubai topped the poll of more than 500 UAEresidents who were asked to choose 'The best value for moneyairline for travel in the region'. In second place was Dubai-based full serviceairline Emirates, ...
An Emirates AirlinesAirbus A330 passenger jet taxis on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport. Scott Deveau, Financial Post · Sept. 29, 2011 | Last Updated: Sept. 29, 2011 9:01 AM ET After years of having its expansion plans shunned by Ottawa, ...
David Germain was in Dubai last week and had meetings with Arabian Adventures, Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airlines, discussing joint marketing initiatives for the American Market. Last year, the Seychelles Tourism Board engaged the Argentinian market ..
Johannesburg became the first destination in Arica to be connected via Emirates A380 as the flight EK761 arrived this Saturday in the city from Dubai. Jo'burg, considered the economic powerhouse as well a top holiday destination of South Africa, is the sixteenth destination on the Emirates A380 network.
The Emirates A380 was welcomed at the O R Tambo International Airport with the traditional water cannon salute.
Jean Luc Grillet, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Africa was buoyed by the development and thanked the government and airport authorities for their support.
"The demand for Emirates' services in and out of Johannesburg has always been high, with passenger growth of more than 27 percent over the last year. It is fitting that our A380 is now serving South Africa and we would like to thank the Department of Transport and OR Tambo International Airport for their efforts in enabling us to bring this exceptional aircraft to Johannesburg," he said.
"The UAE and South Africa's strong and successful relationship has been built on the twin pillars of trade and tourism. In introducing our flagship aircraft and the extra capacity it offers, Emirates will help to further boost this important partnership," Mr Grillet further added.
In the past one year, Emirates has transported more than 900,000 travellers across its three South African gateways – Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban. The Dubai-based airline also carried over 37,500 tonnes of high value cargo on its South African routes during the first eight months of the year 2011.
"Our world-class infrastructure investment in O R Tambo International Airport is integral to the continued economic growth of Johannesburg, the primary passenger and freight gateway into Africa," Vuwani Ndwamato, Director Air Transport at the Department of Transport, was quoted by news portals.
"The introduction of the Emirates A380 exemplifies our efforts to power a world-class city and stimulate investment to strengthen South Africa's position as a major player in the global economy," Mr Ndwamato added.
A special reception was also organised at the O R Tambo International Airport to commemorate the first landing of the superjumbo. Guests at the reception were offered an opportunity to survey the double-decker that features almost 400 economy class seats for travellers who prefer relatively cheap flight tickets with Emirates. In fact, budget travellers looking for cheap tickets on flights from Dubai to Johannesburg and vice versa might well be the most benefited travel class as a number of seats will be available to them. Apart from the Economy Class, 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 14 First Class Private Suites will be available in the double-decker.
Johannesburg A380 services will operate on a daily basis. EK 761 will depart Dubai airport at 0440hrs (local time) and arrive at the O R Tambo International Airport at 1050hrs (local). EK762 will take off from Johannesburg at 1410hrs (local) and will land up in Dubai at 0010hrs (local) the following day.
Emirates A380 Operations around the World
Emirates is the largest operator of the environment-friendly A380 aircrafts in the world. Currently, the airline flies the A380 to London Heathrow, Manchester, Hong Kong, Paris Charles de Gaulle, New York, Toronto, Seoul, Jeddah, Bangkok, Shanghai, Beijing, Sydney and Auckland. Emirates is scheduled to offer A380 flights to Kuala Lumpur and Rome from 1st December 2011, and from 1st January 2012 the double-decker will ply to Munich. Apart from Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Qantas Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and Korean Air maintain A380s in their fleet.
“These new services emphasise Emirates' confidence in, and long-term commitment to, the United States,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive,Emirates Airline & Group. “With six gateways offering convenient ...
Three non-stop weekly flights will connect the UAEcapital to the city of Lagos, the companies said in a statement. The new service, which will departing Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, which will offer passengers Lagos, with other travel ...
An Emirates AirlinesAirbus A330 passenger jet taxis on the tarmac at Dubai International Airport. Scott Deveau, Financial Post · Sept. 29, 2011 | Last Updated: Sept. 29, 2011 9:01 AM ET After years of having its expansion plans shunned by Ottawa, ...
Emirates is scheduled to offer A380 flights to Kuala Lumpur and Rome from 1st December 2011, and from 1st January 2012 the double-decker will ply to Munich. Apart fromEmirates, SingaporeAirlines, QantasAirways, Lufthansa, Air France and Korean Air ...
Nigeria's Arik Air said on Monday it will launch services from Abu Dhabi International Airport next month.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and Nigeria's largest international carrier said operations would start on Tuesday November 29.
ADAC added that it was looking to West Africa for further route launches in the future.
Three non-stop weekly flights will connect the UAE capital to the city of Lagos, the companies said in a statement.
The new service, which will departing Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, which will offer passengers Lagos, with other travel connections to Senegal, Cote D'Ivoire and Ghana.
James E Bennett, CEO at Abu Dhabi Airports Company, said: "Abu Dhabi Airports Company is delighted to welcome Arik Air as the first West African carrier to operate to Abu Dhabi International.
"The capital's airport operator is working closely with various airlines to support their development initiatives that will ultimately benefit Abu Dhabi International Airport passengers with more choices."
Arik Air currently offers flights to 25 destinations in Nigeria, around Africa and across the rest of the world.
From Lagos it serves 19 cities with 229 weekly departures and from Abuja it flies 133 weekly services to 15 airports.
Three non-stop weekly flights will connect the UAEcapital to the city of Lagos, the companies said in a statement. The new service, which will departing Abu Dhabi on Sunday, Wednesday and Friday, which will offer passengers Lagos, with other travel ...
“These new services emphasise Emirates' confidence in, and long-term commitment to, the United States,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive,Emirates Airline & Group. “With six gateways offering convenient ...
Emirates airline has signed a pact with WestJet Airlines Ltd. WJA-T , making it simpler for passengers to connect to the Dubai-based carrier's flights. On Thursday, Emirates said its new “interline” agreement paves the way for consumers departing on a ...
I want to encourage both UAE and Canada they need to talk also on royalty fees if Air Canada and West Jet, will not use their flight rights to Canada. That can be solved more diplomatically and peacefully very soon. See if Emirates Airlines can deal ...
