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

Contractors hoping to prequalify for work on Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 2 expansion project have two days  to get their paperwork in.

The DACC opened the process earlier this year, with work covering the terminal’s superstructure, MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing), SAS, finishes and site works.

The work will compliment other expansion projects at Dubai International Airport and, once completed in 2020, will drive annual airport capacity to 90m, a significant increase from the current 60m passengers.

The closing date for tender submissions is noon, June 23, 2011.

The GCC aviations ector is undergoing a massive growth period. Gulf nations are set to spend $90bn on airport development by 2020, with eight new runways and the refurbishment and expansion of airports and military bases.

Dubai has allocated $10bn for airport projects while Abu Dhabi has set aside $6.8bn, Qatar $11bn, Jeddah $1.5bn, Muscat $1.2bn and approximately $2.1bn in Kuwait.

Emirates Airline has announced that it is launching services to Baghdad, joining a growing list of carriers that are gradually adding more flights to Iraq as the country’s economic and security situation improves.

For the past two decades the commercial aviation sector in Iraq has been crippled by security fears, lack of infrastructure, and UN Security Council ‘no fly zone’ restrictions that were imposed following the country’s invasion of Kuwait in 1990. However, the country is slowly seeing improvements in its security situation and infrastructure, thus creating an emerging market that many international carriers are keen to tap.

With one of the world’s largest proven oil reserves, Iraq is also benefitting from oil prices that have soared above $100 this year. The International Monetary Fund estimates that higher oil revenues will help Iraq’s economy grow 11.5% in 2011, up from 2.6% last year.

The country also sees the aviation sector as a key driver of economic growth, and has ambitious plans to rebuild and expand its aviation infrastructure. However, the government’s proposed expansion of Baghdad airport has faced delays due to the lack of private investment needed to help fund the project.

Better progress on the country’s aviation infrastructure has been made in the northern province of Kurdistan, where the new $450m Irbil International airport was opened in September 2010. The new airport can handle three million passengers a year and boasts the fifth largest runway in the world.

Emirates launches service to Baghdad

As Iraq’s economy, security, and infrastructure has improved, a growing number of regional and international airlines have launched flights to and from the country. Last week Emirates became the latest airline to announce that it will fly to the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, with four-times-a-week service commencing on November 13th.

“Baghdad is a strategically important destination for Emirates,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group. “Its geographical location, coupled with the fact that few international carriers operate there, makes it the perfect destination for us to tap into and drive revenue from. With more than five million residents in Baghdad, and its surrounding districts, this new service will provide them with direct access to our vast global network.”

Emirates began flying to the southern oil port town of Basra last year and was scheduled to launch flights to Baghdad at the same time before delaying the plans “due to operational reasons”.

The airline expects the passenger mix travelling in and out of Baghdad to come from a variety of sources, with a significant skew towards industry and government personnel. The construction, telecommunications and oil sectors are expected to make up three of the largest industry segments. Iraqi nationals, both in Baghdad and residing outside of Iraq are also expected to be strong users of this new service.

Egypt Air resumes service to Iraq

Cairo-headquartered EgyptAir also said last week that it will resume flights to Iraq after a 21-year absence. Hussein Massoud, chairman of the EgyptAir holding company, said that starting July 15, there will be seven weekly flights to Iraq — four to Baghdad and three to Irbil in Kurdistan.

“Egypt and Iraq are linked together with commercial and cultural ties [and] Iraq represents a fertile market for the Egyptian investments,” he said.

EgyptAir and Emirates will join other regional carriers such as Etihad Airways, Royal Jordanian and Turkish Airlines which fly to the Iraqi capital. Etihad has said that demand for its Baghdad route has been strong since the service was launched last year, with flights more than 70% full.

Austrian Airlines is first Western carrier to return

Middle East carriers are not the only airlines that are keen to enter Baghdad. Earlier this month, Austrian Airlines became the first major Western carrier to resume regular flights to the Iraqi capital since the first Gulf War in 1990.

The airline, which began flying to Baghdad in 1982, was one of the first European carriers to resume links to Iraq following the second Gulf War, inaugurating flights between Vienna and Irbil in 2006. Lufthansa has also resumed flights to Irbil.

Other European carriers such Lufthansa and BMI have expressed interest in flying to Baghdad but have yet to do so. France’s Aigle Azur flew to the Iraqi capital last fall on an inaugural flight carrying French officials. The ceremonial flight was supposed to be followed by regularly-scheduled flights this year between Paris and Baghdad, but this was postponed for security reasons.

Dr. Mohammed Al Zarooni, Dubai Airport Free Zone Director General, today met the Belgian Ambassador to the UAE, Anick Van Claster and discussed ways of enhancing trade and economic cooperation between the UAE and Belgium.

Dr. Al Zarooni reinforced the Dubai Airport Freezone’s strategy to attract international companies that add value to the UAE economy. He also emphasized the benefits offered by these companies by being a part of the free zone, considering that a vast majority of them target markets boasting a population of over 1 billion people.

He also pointed to the large number of European companies currently operating out of the Dubai Airport Freezone, constituting nearly 37 percent out of a total of 1450 companies.

“The Dubai Airport Freezone has worked hard to offer these companies the best of facilities and services that can help develop their trade and investment businesses,” he said, adding that there are more than 14 Belgian companies in Dubai Airport Freezone working across different investment sectors that are beneficial for the whole region.

Al Zarooni reiterated that the Dubai Airport Freezone has unmatched experience and knowledge base in working with foreign companies, with a thorough understanding of their business targets, which facilitates the way its employees deal with the clients, thus offering them all the facilities needed to support their businesses and investments. He also emphasized that the Dubai Airport Freezone is integrated with the other financial institutions in Dubai, which aim to strengthen foreign investments into the Emirate by offering an elite level of services and the best facilities to achieve the highest level of satisfaction of the investor community.

He called the Belgian Ambassador to encourage and create business partnerships between the Belgian and UAE investors to strengthen the relationship between the two countries.

Anick Van Claster reinforced that leading companies from Belgium were keen to enhance their presence in the Middle East via Dubai and the Dubai Airport Freezone in particular. She also emphasized the need for Belgian companies to take advantage of the business and investment environment offered by the UAE, especially Dubai.

She said, “We have seen a lot of interest from Belgian companies to enter the Middle East through the facilities offered by Dubai and Dubai Airport Freezone. The infrastructure that Dubai Airport Freezone and Dubai offer make them the ideal launch pad for Belgian companies eyeing investments and businesses in the region.” Claster also noted that the flexibility of investment legislations and laws offered by UAE and the free zones makes it more attractive for major European companies that are looking for new markets abroad.

She also emphasized the importance of coordination between Dubai Airport Freezone and the Trade Representative Office of Belgium in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, to stimulate more Belgian companies to benefit from the facilities and services offered by the free zone to investors and Belgian companies.

She added, “The trade relationship between the UAE and Belgium has achieved exceptional results in the last ten years.” She pointed that a majority of companies are involved in steel, ship building, textiles, plastic, jewelries, chemicals and other industries.

DP World, UAE Region and Dubai Airports commended the successful establishment of direct and seamless cargo movements between Jebel Ali Port and Dubai World Central-Al Maktoum International, saying it is a great business decision that will continue to contribute to the success of Dubai.

Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, received a high level delegation led by Andrew Walsh, Vice-President — Cargo and Logistics, Dubai Airports, at DP World Head Office in Jebel Ali.

The partnership between DP World and Dubai Airports is integral to the Dubai Logistics Corridor, which offers a sea-land-air transport link that is designed to deliver growth for all the parties involved, including Jafza and Dubai Customs. Customers benefit from single window e-clearance services, including customs, and slash transit time for their freight.

Commenting on the sea-air link that is central to the Dubai Logistics Corridor, Mohammed Al Muallem, Senior Vice-President and Managing Director, DP World, UAE Region, said: “We believe the integrated multi-modal cargo transport process created by the cooperation between DP World, UAE Region and Dubai Airports, as well as our free zone partners Jafza, is a logical step forward in Dubai’s continuous evolution as one of the finest trading hubs in the world. It brings together a sea-land-air logistics platform that delivers true value to our common customers and benefits the growth of Jebel Ali Port, DWC-Al Maktoum International and Jafza. We welcome this partnership.”

Andrew Walsh, Vice-President – Cargo and Logistics, Dubai Airports, said: “DP World, UAE Region has shown great leadership and provided invaluable support in successfully implementing this project, which connects the region’s premier airport and seaport. DP World, Dubai Airports and Dubai World Central have demonstrated to the world how business can flourish when all parties are in sync with each other and support one another. This is a great business decision that will continue to contribute to the success of Dubai.”

Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi-based national airline of the United Arab Emirates, has launched a new service stop for its complimentary luxury coach service, Etihad Express, at the Dubai Marina Mall, extending the airline’s reach within its UAE home market and making Dubai more accessible than ever for Etihad’s overseas passengers.

The Dubai Marina Mall location, in addition to the current stop at Chelsea Towers on Sheikh Zayed Road, will offer complimentary ground transport for Etihad passengers between Dubai and Abu Dhabi International Airport.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: “As Etihad grows, Dubai becomes an increasingly important market for us and Abu Dhabi is the ideal gateway into new Dubai, or from the new Dubai area to the world.

“By expanding our services to the city, our guests will have the opportunity to take advantage of travelling to and from the nearby city, both as a world-renowned travel destination and a strong local market, in a quick, comfortable and cost-effective manner.”

The fleet of Mercedes-Benz coaches is equipped with elegant interiors, ergonomically-designed seats, excellent climate-control systems, an entertainment system and high-resolution 14-inch monitors.

With up to 10 buses a day, the luxury coaches are available to all passengers as a quick and comfortable transfer option. The new Marina Mall location will also include free parking for Etihad guests, for a simple ‘park and ride’ experience. The airport in Abu Dhabi offers a dedicated Etihad terminal, less queues to pass through, and timely immigration processing, allowing guests to enjoy a fast disembarking journey, from aircraft to kerb in less than 45 minutes.

Travellers who are not flying with Etihad may also book a transfer aboard the luxury coaches at a one-way cost of only AED75 per person.

This new service comes as an addition to the existing services provided by Etihad, simplifying travel into and out of Dubai. The check-in facility at Chelsea Tower in Dubai allows guests the opportunity to personally check in six to 24 hours before a flight, check in their baggage and travel to Abu Dhabi via the luxury coaches. Free parking is also offered at Abu Dhabi International Airport for Dubai residents travelling with Etihad promotionally until June 15, 2011. For premium passengers arriving from any destination, Etihad offers a complimentary private, premium chauffer service directly between Abu Dhabi International Airport and anywhere in the UAE.

Supplementary to Dubai transfer routes, Etihad also provides complimentary luxury coach service from the inland city of Al Ain.

Dubai’s low cost airliner ‘flydubai’ on Monday announced launching of thrice-a-week flights between Dubai and Hyderabad from June 11.

Hyderabad is flydubai’s 37th destination and second city in India after Lucknow.

The new launch is targeted to provide a low-cost connectivity to 1.4 million Indians living in UAE considering the peak summer holiday season, a flydubai release said here.

flydubai CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “We are delighted to announce Hyderabad as our latest destination. Hyderabad is an important new route for flydubai and it is an effort to fulfill that commitment given to the strong Indian community in the UAE”.

“While our Lucknow route provides a gateway to north and central lndia, the Hyderabad route will provide a low-cost connectivity to south India, which will hopefully increase tourism and business opportunities.”

Flight FZ435 will depart from the Terminal 2 of the Dubai Airport at 2030hrs and will arrive in Hyderabad at 0145hrs local time. The return flight, FZ436, will depart at 0230hrs and reach Dubai at 0440hrs.

A one way fare from Hyderabad to Dubai will start from INR 9,350 inclusive of 7 Kg hand baggage allowance. Checked baggage will start at INR 650 for 20 kgs and a seat with extra legroom would cost INR 1250.

The fare from Dubai to Hyderabad will start from AED585, and include one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag, the release said.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that air traffic movements in the UAE grew at a rate of 6.7% in April 2011 compared to the same month last year. The GCAAmonthly report indicated that total air traffic movements in April 2011 were 55842 with an average of 1861 air traffic movements per day.

GCAA‘s Air Traffic monthly report for April 2011 showed the number of air traffic movements in each UAE airport. Dubai ranked first with 25364 air traffic movements. Over flights stood next at 12313 air traffic movements. Abu Dhabi ranked third with 8019 air traffic movements. According to the report, air traffic movements in Sharjah International Airport ranked fourth with 5118 movements. Local flights between UAE airports were in the fifth position with 4279 movements. Fujairah International Airport witnessed 276 movements, while Ras Al Khaimah International Airport had 230 air traffic movements and Al Ain Airport had 146 air traffic movements. Al Maktoum International Airport witnessed 97 shipping movements.

The report indicated that as far as air safety is concerned, GCAA issued two Air Operator Certificates (AOC), and renewed 7 AOC, completed 5 licensing transactions for aircraft maintenance companies, 5 aircraft registration certificate transactions and 54 airworthiness certificate transactions. Further, GCAA conducted 8 inspections and audits, and issued 26 simulator certificates. In terms of SAFA system 2 foreign aircrafts and 2 air operators were suspended, and for (ROSI) system 60 aviation incidents were reported.

As for security and infrastructure operations, GCAA conducted 4 inspections and audits, issued one transaction for dangerous goods cargo agency, and renewed 19 certificates for dangerous goods training centers.

As for crew licensing, GCAA issued 150 new crew licenses, renewed 242 licenses, issued 34 temporary permits, completed 29 type additions to licenses, issued 12 replacement licenses, and conducted 39 crew examinations, thereby bringing the number of crew licensing transactions in April 2011 to 645.

As for aircraft maintenance engineers licensing, GCAA issued 21 new licenses, renewed 30 licenses, completed 404 type additions to licenses, issued 2 temporary permits, and conducted 91 aircraft maintenance engineer examinations, thereby bringing the total number of aircraft maintenance engineers licensing transactions last month to 551.

Regarding aeromedical activities, the report indicated that GCAA issued and renewed 1071 medical certificates in various qualified categories, appointed 7 medical committees, approved 2 decisions by medical committees, and carried out 39 transactions to return crew licenses. As such, Aeromedical related transactions in April 2011 stood at 1119.

Further, concerning air traffic controller transactions, the report showed that GCAA issued 4 new licenses, renewed 13 licenses, and completed 27 type additions to licenses. As for urgent service transactions, there were 601 crew transactions, 112 aeromedical transactions, and 10 aircraft crew card transactions. As such, urgent service transactions stood at 723.

In addition, the UAE initialed in April two Air Transport Agreements and signed memoranda of understanding with Croatia and Vietnam.

The GCAA signed in April a cooperation agreement with Dubai centre for Aviation Security, to increase the level of safety and security in civil aviation sector locally and internationally.

It also held a training course on 26 – 29 April about the strategic planning in human capacity building in the civil aviation industry in Guatemala, aimed at covering all aspects related to strategic planning concepts with the participation of 12 member states in the Latin American Civil Aviation Commission.

Civil aviation officials in the UAE are investigating an accident in which a business jet veered off the runway at Dubai International Airport late on Monday evening, Khaleej Times has learnt.

The Challenger 850 jet suffered minor damage and possibly caused damage to the runway lights, but all the crew aboard were unharmed, the operator of the aircraft confirmed on Tuesday.

Gama Aviation, which provides international business aircraft management and charter services, said in a statement to Khaleej Times, “Flight number GSH589 had a runway excursion during the initial takeoff roll at a relatively low speed.” It said the incident took place at 7.36pm (UAE time) on Monday.

“As a result of the incident, the aircraft suffered some minor damage. The aircraft was on a positioning flight and, accordingly, there were no passengers on board. There were no injuries to the flight crew onboard the aircraft,” said Gama Aviation FZC, which became the first operator of Bombardier Business Aircraft Challenger 850 in the UAE last December.

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the UAE had awarded the UAE Air Operators Certificate to Gama Aviation in February 2010.  The company said the aircraft was on a flight to a destination in Saudi Arabia with just three on board when the incident 
took place.

“In accordance with our normal Operating Procedures, the crew safely aborted the takeoff and the aircraft vacated the runway.

The aircraft subsequently returned to its parking position under its own power,” it said.

“It is possible that there was some runway light damage as the aircraft slowly left the runway, but again, until the investigation completes, we can’t comment,” it said in reply to a question on the damage caused on the runway.

“Gama worked fully with Dubai Airports, Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and GCAA in assisting to the greatest possible extent throughout the incident…and now the incident is being investigated by Gama’s Quality and Safety Team in conjunction with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority,” it said.

The company added that it cannot make any further comments on any damage until it has completed its own internal investigations and reported the findings to the GCAA.

Though sources told Khaleej Times that the runway was briefly closed for clearing the debris following the accident during which a few flights were diverted. However, these details could not be confirmed from Dubai Airports.

A couple of passengers had tweeted that their flights were delayed during the same time. GCAA officials could not be reached for comments.

Speaking at ATM 2011 in a candid one-on-one seminar with leading aviation consultant John Strickland, Tim Clark, Emirates Airline president, discussed the challenges facing commercial aviation along with the resilience of the regional sector.

High fuel prices was an area of focus, with oil now exceeding US$120 per barrel, up from US$86 per barrel a year earlier according to figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Emphasising the impact on airlines, Clark told ATM visitors and delegates that fuel costs now account for a staggering 43% of airline costs, compared to just 12% a decade ago.

“If by the end of the year oil prices have reached around US$130-US$140 per barrel, watch this space, there will be some casualties. I expect that airlines which will struggle particularly are those on the periphery,” he said.

With Emirates Airline having mitigated some of the impact by implementing small fuel surcharges and managing business costs, he said that airlines with weaker balance sheets and less flexibility would suffer if high prices continued.

Commenting from the sidelines of ATM, Mark Walsh, Group Exhibition Director, Reed Travel Exhibitions, said: “Despite the high oil prices, lingering effects of the economic downturn impacting many industries and unrest in some parts of the region, the Gulf’s aviation sector is displaying strong growth.

“Arabian Travel Market is one of the most popular for airline businesses, among the leading international exhibitions in terms of the high number of airline exhibitors it attracts, thanks in part to our excellent access to the region’s key industry decision-makers,” added Walsh.

Despite the difficulties, Clark was also pragmatically optimistic, particularly given the continued strength of Emirates and other Middle East carriers. The impressive performance of Emirates and other regional airlines, including Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Oman Air and others underpins his belief in the continuing strong value proposition of commercial aviation.

Emirates Airline reported profits of US$925 million for the first half of the 2010-2011 financial year, up 350% on 2009-2010. It also plans to expand its fleet of 152 aircraft, which includes 15 Airbus A380s, with 200 more jets on order over the next eight years.

Recent forecasts from IATA indicate Middle East carriers expect to return a profit of US$700 million for the year, a considerable improvement on the US$400 million previously forecast. Negative impacts in some unrest-affected areas are balanced by the Gulf region, which benefits from economic activity related to high oil prices and a large share of the global long-haul market.

Clark also discussed the controversial impact of traffic rights at international airports, regional unrest, environmental standards, and the lingering effects of the global economic downturn.

With regulations in Canada and Germany restricting Emirates’ landing rights at airports in some cities, Clark said he respected these decisions while explaining “there are always ways over, through or around such obstacles”.

Despite restrictions at some airports, Clark said many more countries were becoming increasingly aware of the connection between improved aviation links and broader economic benefits. He referred particularly to South America, with Emirates introducing flights to Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires in the coming months.

Regarding the ongoing difficulties in some areas of the Middle East, Clark referred to Emirates’ continuing flights to most areas of region, with the exception of Libya, along with a reduction in connections to some Gulf cities.

Even at the height of Egypt’s unrest earlier this year, Emirates reduced some of its flights but did not cut its Egypt services. While Emirates’ 2011 first quarter figures are not due for release until next week, he cited an impressive rebound in Egyptian passenger traffic during February and March.

Aviation was also covered in a day two panel session also moderated by Strickland, featuring senior representatives from Boeing Commercial, Air Arabia and Oman Air.

Arabian Travel Market is held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai. Now approaching its eighteenth year, the show has grown to become the largest showcase of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world. In 2010, Arabian Travel Market featured 2,236 exhibitors across more than 20,000 square metres, attracting more than 22,000 visitors.

Arabian Travel Market is part of the Reed Travel Exhibitions’ portfolio, which includes 15 of the world’s leading travel industry events.