UAE, 25 April 2012 – As a part of British Airways’ investment of over £5 billion for customers, the airline’s Lounge refresh in Dubai International Airport ‘s Terminal 1 is now complete. The refurbishment allows premium customers and eligible Executive Club members to relax in even more comfort before their flight.

The refreshed Lounge has a modern yet comfortable feel which is complemented by ambient lighting, providing customers with a great environment to catch up on work or relax before their flight. There is also a new menu and improved food and beverage facilities.

Paolo De Renzis, Regional Commercial Manager, Middle East said: “The update to our Lounge at Dubai International Airport is just one of the many enhancements that our Middle Eastern customers will start to see as a result of our investment for customers. Our investment will make life more comfortable for customers both on the ground and in the sky.”

Over the next five years British Airways’ investment will result in smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies. The airline will also be refurbishing some of its longhaul Boeing 767 aircraft, and has taken delivery of six brand new Boeing 777-300 aircraft that feature new cabins in First, Club World (business class), World Traveller Plus (premium economy) and World Traveller (economy).

As a part of the airline’s £100 million investment into First, over 70% of the airline’s 747/777 long haul fleet has now been fitted with new First cabins. British Airways’ 747 and 777 aircraft operate on the majority of the airline’s Middle Eastern routes. More info

DUBAI – Cargo volumes at Dubai World Central (DWC) have surged 382 per cent in the first three months of 2012, according to the quarterly traffic report issued by Dubai Airports on Wednesday. 

Jebel Ali Port

The airport, now only in its second full year of operation, recorded a 382.2 per cent increase in cargo volumes to 50,062 tonnes in the first quarter of the year, compared to 10,381 tonnes in the first three months of 2011.

Air traffic movements at the airport also increased sharply, rising 313.3 per cent to 3,513 movements in the first three months of 2012 compared to 850 in the previous comparable period.

The growth was driven by additional charter and scheduled services introduced over the past year as well as the securing of several large non-commercial contracts. In March Saudi Airlines Cargo became the latest major airline to begin a scheduled freight service to DWC with three weekly flights from Riyadh, the Saudi capital.“Despite the fact that the global cargo industry remains under pressure, DWC continues to ramp up as new operations are introduced.

Increasingly airlines are recognising that the airport, which is still in its infancy, has a unique value proposition with airlines able to take advantage of the its bonded link to the Jebel Ali port,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO Dubai Airports. “Dubai Airports’ total cargo volumes are expected to top 3 million tonnes by 2015 and an increasing portion of that growth is expected to spill over to DWC.”“In 2012 the economic picture has improved marginally from last year. World trade is gradually beginning to recover.

While some major European economies have slipped into recession, US consumer confidence is on the upswing, China’s economic expansion remains robust and both Thailand and Japan have started to rebuild from last year’s natural disasters. This can only help augment volumes at Dubai’s airports which benefit from a growing network and a geocentric location that allow them to tap into these global trade flows,” said Griffiths. More info 

The head of Dubai Airports said today that the passenger terminal at Dubai World Central airport could start commercial operations next year.

Dubai World Central handled nearly 90m tonnes of freight in 2011.

“Operational trails for DWC’s passenger terminal are set to start during the second quarter of this year and we could see commercial passenger operations commence in 2013,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO, Dubai Airports.

Dubai Airports owns and manages the operation and development of both of Dubai’s airports – Dubai International as well as Dubai World Central.

Commenting on the growth of DWC’s cargo operations, which began in June 2010, Griffiths said the airport handled almost 90 million tonnes of freight during its first full calendar year of operations. DWC’s average monthly air cargo volumes in 2011 totalled 7,477 tonnes compared to 795 tonnes per month recorded during the airport’s first half year of operations in 2010. Cargo transit traffic comprised 32,989 tonnes or 37% of volume.

“Although the airport is in its infancy, incremental cargo traffic growth has been steady and continues to ramp up as new operations are launched,” Griffiths said.

He pointed out that DWC will play a key role in providing the capacity needed to accommodate projected growth in Dubai’s aviation sector.

“By 2015, cargo volumes will top three million tonnes, exceeding the current capacity of Dubai International. We expect a good proportion of that growth to spill over to Dubai World Central. As for passenger operations, Dubai International will continue to serve as the primary focus of expansion and we will be investing $7.8bn to boost capacity to 90 million passengers by 2018.”

Dubai World Central handled 89,729 tonnes of airfreight during its first full calendar year of operations.

In 2011 the gateway’s average monthly air cargo volumes totalled 7,477 tonnes compared with the 795 tonnes per month recorded during its first half year of operations in 2010.

According to figures released by Dubai Airports, cargo transit traffic accounted for 32,989 tonnes (37%) of this total volume.

Meanwhile, aircraft movements at the airport over the year hit 8,198, of which 3,609 (44%) were commercial cargo flights; 4,548 (55.5%) were test and training flights and 41 (0.5%) were general aviation operations.

During 2011, 36 airlines operated into Dubai World Central, predominantly as cargo charter operations.

Paul Griffiths, CEO at Dubai Airports, said: “Although the airport is in its infancy, incremental cargo traffic growth has been steady and continues to ramp up as new operations are launched.

“Sea to air freight traffic growth was particularly robust as airlines took advantage of the airport’s bonded link to the Jebel Ali port.

“Additionally the road feeder service operating between Dubai International and Dubai World Central facilitated the smooth flow of transit airfreight. Combined, Dubai’s two airports handled 2,279,219 tonnes of airfreight in 2011, which is up marginally from 2010.”

According to Griffiths, the new airport has a vital role to play in providing the extra capacity needed to accommodate projected growth in cargo volumes handled by the Emirate. More info

A Dh1 billion (US$272.3 million) investment has been secured for Dubai World Central, the “aerotropolis” taking shape on the edge of Dubai.

DUBAI - JULY 1,2010 - Emirates airplane taxi on the run way of the Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International airport. ( Paulo Vecina/The National )

The cash will pay for the first phase of development of the aviation district, designed to attract international businesses in aeronautical services and light manufacturing.

It will also pay for the relocation of the Dubai Airshow 2013 to the district from the existing site at Dubai International Airport. The move to a bigger site is likely to add thrust to the show’s growing international profile.

“Dubai World Central is an integral component of the strategic vision of Dubai Government to establish the emirate as an international aviation hub and a gateway to global markets,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation, the company in charge of developing the $33 billion Dubai World Central.

“The aviation district has been holistically conceived to capitalise on the dynamic aviation industry of the UAE and the region,” he said.

The aviation district, covering more than 6.8 square kilometres, will provide”land-side and air-side facilities” and will help to leverage the capacity of the new Al Maktoum International Airport, the company said. Officials hope the district will be able to capitalise on the strong growth in aviation in the region, the Indian subcontinent and China.

Close links to the nearby Jebel Ali Free Zone would help to cut “inter-modal” transport times. More info

Dubai World Central (DWC), the region’s first purpose-built aerotropolis, has presented on Sunday, November 13, 2011 the progress achieved since the last Dubai Airshow and showcased ongoing development being undertaken to establish a business platform for aviation and logistics companies.

Showcases progress achieved to date and presents plans to position Dubai as logistics and aviation hub.

DWC’s “40&beyond” campaign was also inaugurated by H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, at the Dubai Airshow 2011. The campaign celebrates the UAE‘s 40th founding anniversary and depicting the visionary foresight of the founding fathers of the country.

The “40&beyond” tribute wall also demonstrates the strategic importance of Dubai World Central as the logical extension of the progress that Dubai has achieved over the past 40 years, while exemplifying the investment initiatives undertaken by Dubai to sustain the emirate’s prosperity and sustainable socioeconomic growth.

DWC is a purpose-built airport city that covers an area of 140 square kilometers. In addition to the Al Maktoum International Airport, which is being developed to be one of the world’s largest in volume and size, Logistics District and Office Park, DWC will also include residential, commercial and leisure districts upon completion.

Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman, Dubai Aviation City Corporation, said: “Dubai World Central reinforces Dubai’s strategic advantage as an economic hub and a gateway to dynamic markets in the Middle East, Africa, Europe and across Asia. It serves as a one-stop destination for investors and businesses that are looking to benefit from a purpose-built aviation and logistics infrastructure, in addition to a complete range of business facilities. Moreover, DWC demonstrates the ingenuity and foresight of Dubai by presenting a fresh concept in urban planning that integrates services, aviation, residential and commercial amenities within a self-sustaining micro-city.”

“This year’s edition of Dubai Airshow will be the first time wherein we are organizing a major showcase of the Dubai World Central. The Airshow certainly serves as an ideal platform to demonstrate the unique features of DWC as the event is recognized as the region’s premier aerospace event gathering more than 50,000 international trade visitors and hundreds of exhibitors from all over the world,” said Rashed Buqara’a, Chief Operating Officer, Dubai Aviation City Corporation.

Dubai World Central is one of the most important and strategic projects launched by the Government of Dubai. It has been developed to meet the future needs of Dubai’s aviation, tourism, trade and logistics services and will ultimately be home to over 900,000 residents. More info

Raytheon has finished the installation and testing of its AutoTrac III (AT3) air traffic management (ATM) system at Dubai World Central’s Al Maktoum International Airport.

Dubai Air Navigation Services will now complete the certification needed before the 60-controller installation becomes operational next year.

The Raytheon AT3 system will provide air traffic control automation for the Dubai terminal airspace and approach control services for Al Maktoum International, Dubai International, Sharjah International, and Al Minhad Airbase. It will also support tower operations at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airports.

Stephen DuMont, director of international ATM for Raytheon, said: “We have now completed the site acceptance testing and will continue with our train-the-trainers programme.

“The system contains some of the most advanced surveillance and flight data processing available today. The AT3 installed in Dubai includes multi-radar tracking capabilities, advanced flight data processing, safety net functions, online data interchange, arrival and departure management, and electronic flight strips.

“And its open architecture design is scalable as future updates are expected as capacity in the region grows,” DuMont said.

The AT3 system is designed to provide automated conflict alerts if it detects a potential problem with two aircraft. The system can even take into account future aircraft movements using predict-ahead techniques.

By 2030, the number of aircraft operating in the Middle East could grow by up to 176%, DuMont said.

He added that Raytheon now has ATC systems in more than 50 countries, including installations in Saudi Arabia, Oman, Lebanon, Iraq and Kurdistan, and helps to control up to 60% of the world’s airspace.

Luxury European hotel operator the Oetker Collection has announced plans to expand its portfolio of hotels into the Middle East and North Africa. The Germany-based company said it will open its first hotel in the region in Morocco in March 2012, and begin construction on a property in Abu Dhabi in four months.

The Oetker Collection currently has four hotels in operation, one in Germany and three in France. The Mena region will be the company’s first foray outside of Europe because it is a ‘perfect fit for us’, said Samir Daqqaq, senior vice president of development for the Middle East and Africa.

“There are a lot of plush and elegant hotels [in the region], but we truly believe there is a niche that we can fill in these markets. Our definition of luxury is more sublime and more focused on real service,” he told AMEInfo.com.

At a press conference in Dubai this week, the company unveiled its Palais Namaskar in Morocco, which be located a 30-minute drive from Marrakech International Airport and near the medina Jemaa El-Fna – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel was built at a cost of $68m and will offer 41 uniquely-designed villas and suites.

One of the more luxurious aspects of the hotel is that it offers guests a private jet service that will take them from Casablanca Airport to the hotel in just 30 minutes. The private jet also can be utilized for transfers to other Oetker Collection properties.

Dubai: His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, yesterday toured the Cityscape Global exhibition that is under way at the Dubai International Exhibition and Convention Centre.

Shaikh Mohammad was accompanied by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince, Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai, and the visiting chief of the Royal Court in Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa.

Shaikh Mohammad visited various stands, including those of Dubai Municipality, Dubai World Central and Meraas.

At Meraas’ stand, Shaikh Mohammad met with a Chinese delegation where he was briefed by Abdullah Ahmad Al Habbai, chairman of Meraas Holding, on the Dh2 billion project that the company is implementing near the existing Dragon Mart in conjunction with China Longines investment Company.

Ambitious development

The project, called Phoenix, will be completed in 30 months, and will be three times as large as Dragon Mart, spanning an area of 8 million square metres. The Phoenix project will include various shops, a five star hotel, a car parking, and other facilities. Shaikh Mohammad congratulated Meraas on the joint investment project between the UAE and a global Chinese company. He said that the joint project is a new step forward in increasing joint investments between the two countries, especially in the private sector.

Addressing the Chinese delegation, Shaikh Mohammad described Dragon Mart as a window for China and a portal for Chinese companies into the region’s markets. He praised the strong bilateral and historic relations between China and the UAE, which he said were further strengthened by extending bridges of trade, tourism and cultural cooperation, in addition to increased joint investments which benefits both countries and peoples.

Shaikh Mohammad also received an overview of the Dragon Mart expansion project, located in Al Warqa, which will be completed in late 2012. The project will include additional shops, restaurants, and service facilities, as well as a five-star hotel and a parking lot.

Shaikh Mohammad was also briefed on The Avenue project, carried out by Meraas Holding in Al Safa street in Jumeirah.