Big Boys Toys’ event set to attract top aviation customers across the globe

August 29, 2010

The business jets market in the Middle East is poised for steady growth, with over 200 units expected to be delivered to the region by 2015, according to an estimate released by global research and consulting firm Frost & Sullivan. With the region currently accounting for approximately six per cent of the global business jets market, and demand for an additional 400 units expected to surface within the next eight years, the market for these luxury aircrafts is set to witness further growth. Amidst the rising demand, the upcoming ‘Big Boys Toys’ event in Abu Dhabi is expected to attract top aviation customers across the globe during its four day run at ADNEC (the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center) from 2nd to 5th February 2011.

The Middle East, especially the UAE, has been witnessing a growing demand for private charter flights, as the responsibilities of top executives based in the region involve quick and frequent trips abroad. Despite the economic downturn, a top official from leading aircraft manufacturer Airbus stated a ‘five per cent increase in the demand for customer jets in the Middle East region, which was driven by the continuous increase in airline traffic’. As the region continues to dominate the charter market as a favoured point of departure to global destinations and also as a favourite destination, ‘Big Boys Toys’ is expected to draw in high net worth individuals, the key target audience for luxury aircrafts and services.

“The region’s charter industry has seen significant growth in the recent years to its present value of USD 500 million, as the demand for luxury private charter jets and services continue to rise as a result of business strategy revamps, mergers and acquisition among global companies“,” said Biju Jayaraaj, CEO, Artaaj. “‘Big Boys Toys’ comes at the right time as the business jets market is picking up in the region and UAE, and exhibitors aim to meet the needs of high net worth customers or owners of private jets who are more focused on ergonomics, ambience and luxury.”

A must-attend for consumers and HNWI in the region, ‘Big Boys Toys’ will bring together the ‘best of the best’ products and services combined with live demos and activities that will appeal to the high net worth male consumer. Offering companies the ideal platform to highlight their latest offerings in services and jet models to HNWIs and top business executives, the previous edition of the event has attracted leading global companies, including Flugschule Gunar Barthel (Germany), Flying Machines (France), Land and Space Aviation (Saudi Arabia), Nirvana Systems (Czech Republic), Orange Sky (Lithuania), Skyjam (Switzerland), Tyrolean Jet Service (Austria), and two local exhibitors, Ultimate Heli and Emirates Aero Sports. With seven original zones: Drive, Ride, Off Road, Marine, Aviation, Digital and Lifestyle, and three new ones: Fitness, Fashion and Adventure, the exhibition is expected to feature more than 100 exhibitors, across 46 exclusive categories showcasing their products to an affluent target audience of over 60,000 visitors.

Airline wins award for third consecutive year

Air Arabia Aircraft

Sharjah, August 2, 2010: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, announced today that it has been named the “Middle East’s leading low-cost airline” for the third consecutive year at the recent World Travel Awards.

Launched in 1993, the World Travel Awards aims to separate the good from the outstanding by encouraging world-class competition and stimulating innovation and creativity.

Having recently launched operations at its third hub in Alexandria, Egypt,  as well as announcing plans to launch a fourth hub in Amman, Jordan, 2010 has been extremely positive for the Middle East’s first, largest and most popular LCC.

Hailed as the Oscars of the travel industry by the Wall Street Journal, the World Travel Awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate the enormous achievements in all sectors of the global travel industry. Winners are decided by votes received from agents and travel professionals in the Middle East and throughout the world.

Air Arabia currently provides service to 65 routes across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia from its hubs in UAE, Morocco and Egypt

• Total deals worth over US$16 billion signed by GE Aviation from across the world
• Further Expands GE’s US$128B High-Margin Services Backlog
• Deals with Emirates, Air Arabia, Qatar Airways and Royal Jordanian in the region
• Complements partnership with Etihad Airways signed at 2009 Paris Air Show 
 

David Joyce and Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan at Etihad signing

Dubai, UAE; July 28, 2010: GE Aviation along with its joint venture companies, CFM International and the Engine Alliance, have amassed engine and services orders valued at more than US$16 billion at the recent 2010 Farnborough Air Show, of which more than half – nearly US$10 billon – were signed by leading airlines in the Middle East region, notably, the UAE. Of the nearly US$10 billion in deals, Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, accounted for US$7.8 billion.

“GE Aviation is excited with the tremendous amount of engine and services orders received at the 2010 Farnborough Air Show,” said David Joyce, president and chief executive office of GE Aviation. “The level of activity at the show demonstrates that the aviation industry is beginning to emerge from the economic downturn.”

GE Aviation and its joint companies garnered US$11 billion in engine orders and US$5 billion in long-term, high-margin service agreements, including several prestigious orders from the Middle East region from leading players, Emirates, Air Arabia, Royal Jordanian and Qatar Airways.

Muhammad Al-Lamadani. General Manager, Eastern Europe, Middle East & CIS, GE Aviation, said:  “Aviation continues to be one of the strong growth pillars of the region, powered by infrastructure development and the focus of the regional Governments to strengthen airline connectivity to boost tourism and business. GE Aviation and its joint venture companies have underscored their significant partnership role through several deals, reiterating the long-standing association with the region’s aviation industry leaders.”

Among the highlights of the partnerships from the Middle East region include:
• Emirates ordered 30 GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft valued at US$2 billion list price. Emirates also signed a 12-year OnPointSM solution services agreement for the maintenance and overhaul of its GE90-115B engines worth more than US$1 billion over its life.
• Emirates selected the Engine Alliance GP7200 engines to power its 32 additional A380 aircraft announced last month. The total value of the engine and Fleet Management Agreement is approximately US$4.8 billion over the life of the contract.
• Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, selected the CFM56-5B engine to power its 44 Airbus A320 family aircraft order announced in 2007. This new engine selection, which will more than double the airlines’ CFM56-5B powered A320 fleet, is valued at more than US$620 million U.S. at list price. Together with the engine selection, Air Arabia also signed a multi-year Rate per Flight Hour (RPFH) service agreement for its CFM56-5B fleet. 
• Qatar Airways converted two options for GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-200LR aircraft into firm orders. The engine order is valued at more than US$100 million list price.
• Royal Jordanian has agreed to purchase six GEnx-1B engines to power its three additional Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. This new order is in addition to the four purchased and four leased GEnx-1B-powered Boeing 787 aircraft that Royal Jordanian announced in 2007. The six newly purchased GEnx engines will be covered in the Royal Jordanian’s 12-year OnPoint solution services agreement that was signed in 2007 and will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul services to the airline’s GEnx fleet.

The Middle East deals announced at Farnborough complement another significant order inked by GE Aviation with Etihad Airways, the national airlines of the United Arab Emirates. Etihad had finalized its purchase of 70 GEnx-1B engines to power the 35 Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft along with a multi-year OnPoint solution services agreement on the engines. The engine order is valued at US$1.8 billion and the OnPoint solution agreement is valued at US$2.5 billion over its life. Etihad had announced the engine selection and services agreement at the Paris Air Show in 2009.

GE Capital Aviation Services also ordered CFM56-7B engines to power 40 Boeing 737-700/-800/-900 aircraft and CFM56-5B engines to power its 60 Airbus A320 aircraft. The combined engine order is valued at US$1.4 billion at list price.

At Farnborough, GE Aviation launched its new myEnginesTM digital services, a suite of digital applications to help customers better manage their engine fleets and improve productivity. This is the latest announcement in GE’s growing US$4 billion-per-year software and solutions business.

GE Aviation also announced its OnPointSM Fuel & Carbon Solutions was added as the newest product in GE’s ecomagination portfolio. OnPoint Fuel and Carbon Solutions could help GE Aviation’s customers reduce their fuel spend by an average of three percent.

Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia

FARNBOROUGH, England, 21 July, 2010: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced the selection of the CFM56-5B engine to power its 44 Airbus A320 family aircraft order announced in 2007.  This new engine selection, which will more than double the airlines CFM56-5B powered A320 fleet, is valued at more than US$620 million at list price.

Together with the engine selection, Air Arabia also signed a multi-year Rate per Flight Hour (RPFH) service agreement for its CFM56-5B fleet.  The RPFH is a comprehensive maintenance program customized to Air Arabia specific needs under which CFM guarantees the maintenance cost on a dollar per engine flight hour basis.
 
“Air Arabia enjoys a long track record of operational excellence,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer of Air Arabia. “Our fleet growth strategy and the partners we work with, contributes to maintaining this record. We look forward for a long partnership with CFM in powering our new aircraft order”.

Air Arabia became a CFM customer in 2003 when the airline started operations with a CFM56-5B-powered Airbus A320.  The airline, which is the winner of the A320 Family Operational Excellence Award by Airbus, currently operates a total fleet of 23 CFM56-5B-powered A320s and the airlines confirmed order of 44 A320 aircraft is schedule to begin delivery later this year.  Air Arabia, which serves more than 60 destinations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, was ranked first on Aviation Week’s TPC chart as 2009 world’s best LCC.

“We are obviously very pleased by Air Arabia’s selection of the CFM56-5B engine to power its A320 fleet,” said Eric Bachelet, president and CEO of CFM. “We have established a great relationship with the airline as an operator and are really looking forward to working more closely with them through the RPFH agreement to service and support its growing fleet.”

CFM56-5B engines are a product of CFM International, a 50/50 joint company between Snecma (Safran group) and GE. CFM, the world’s leading supplier of commercial aircraft engines, has delivered approximately 21,000 engines to date.

Etihad Finalizes GEnx Engine and OnPoint Solution Services Agreement

Farnborough, England; July 21, 2010: Emirates has ordered 30 GE90-115B-powered Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. The engine order, including spare engines, is valued at US$2 billion list price. Deliveries will begin in late 2011.
 
Emirates has also signed a 12-year OnPointSM solution services agreement for the maintenance and overhaul of its GE90-115B engines. The contract is worth more than US$1 billion over its life.
 
“The GE90-115B engine offers significantly improved fuel efficiency, lower noise levels and reduced emissions, which Emirates requires as we continue to build our fleet of long-haul aircraft for the future,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.
 
“Emirates is the largest operator of GE90-powered Boeing 777 aircraft,” said David Joyce, president and chief executive officer of GE Aviation. “Today’s order is another affirmation of the trust Emirates has in the aircraft-engine combination, and we look forward to ensuring the GE90 engine continues to provide outstanding performance to the airline.”
 
Emirates and GE Aviation have established a strong relationship. As one of the world’s fastest growing international airlines, Emirates operates eight CFM56-powered A340s and 65 GE90-powered 777-300ERs/-200LRs, with additional GE90-powered 777 aircraft and GEnx-powered Boeing 747-8 aircraft on order. The airline is also the largest customer for the Airbus A380 and the Engine Alliance’s GP7200 engines with 90 A380s on order.
 
At 115,000 pounds of thrust, the GE90-115B engine includes such performance-enhancing features as three-dimensional aerodynamic (3-D aero) compressor and wide-chord, swept composite fan blades for greater efficiency. The dual annular combustor emits no more than 40 percent of the hydrocarbons allowed by today’s international standards.

The GE90-115B engine has proven to be tremendously popular with customers around the world, with more than 1,100 engines being sold. Snecma of France, Avio SpA. of Italy, and IHI of Japan are revenue-sharing participants in the GE90 program. The GE90-115B is part of GE’s “ecomagination” product portfolio — GE’s commitment to develop new, cost-effective technologies that enhance customers’ fuel efficiencies and operating performance.

OnPoint solutions are customized service agreements tailored to the operational and financial needs of each customer for any size fleet. These agreements are designed to help lower the customers’ cost of ownership and maximize the use of their assets.
 

Buses will depart RAK at 9:00 AM and 18:00 PM daily

Air Arabia A320

Sharjah, 18 July, 2010: Air Arabia, the first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC) in the Middle East and North Africa, today announced the launch of a bus service for its passengers travelling from Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) to Sharjah International Airport. The new service is aimed to greatly enhance the convenience for passengers in terms of an alternative mode of transport to Sharjah International Airport.

The bus service will operate twice daily with the first one departing RAK at 9:00 AM in the morning. The service will help passengers with connections to flights leaving for Chittagong, Bangaldesh; Alexandria, Egypt; Kathmandu, Nepal; Jeddah, Saudi Arabia; Kochi, India; and Sana’a, Yemen.

The second bus departs RAK at 18:00 PM and will help passengers with connections to flights leaving for Bangalore, Calicut, Chennai, Delhi, Goa, Jaipur, Kochi, Mumbai and Hyderabad in India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Istanbul, Turkey; Assiut, Egypt; and Damascus, Syria.

Passengers can board the bus from two pickup points, Air Arabia General Sales Agent office on Oman Road, Al Nakheel Street (opposite to RAK Bank). Alternatively, they can board the bus from Al Hamra Mall (opposite RAK Ceramics).

“The launch of the bus service from RAK to Sharjah International Airport will be a great benefit for our passengers given the significant volume of passengers travelling on this route,” said Head of Commercial Department of Air Arabia’s Sharjah hub. This new service will directly address the challenges our customers were facing with regards to an affordable mode of transport with convenient timings and pickup points across RAK.”

To reserve seats on the bus service, customers can visit the Air Arabia website www.airarabia.com, call a dedicated phone number in RAK which is 07 2221144 or book the same through select travel agents. There will be a minimal transport charge applicable for each passenger for this service.

• Air Arabia fifth destination from its new Egypt hub
• Four direct flights per week between Alexandria and Abu Dhabi
• Promotional launch fares are available on www.airarabia.com

Egyptian Ambassdor to the UAE with Air Arabia and Abu Dhabi Airpory Company officials cutting the cake

Abu Dhabi, UAE: July 12, 2010: Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), announced today the start of its direct services from its latest hub in Alexandria, Egypt, to the UAE’s Capital Abu Dhabi.

Inaugural ceremony was held at Abu Dhabi International airport included officials from Egypt and the UAE as well as representatives from Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC) and the airline’s management. Roundtrip flights to Air Arabia’s fifth destination from its Egyptian hub will operate four times per week between Burj Al Arab International Airport, Alexandria, Egypt and Abu Dhabi International Airport in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The LCC will fly to Abu Dhabi on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Flights depart from Alexandria at 22.00 to arrive in Abu Dhabi at 02.40 the following day, and return flights depart from Abu Dhabi at 03:20, to arrive in Alexandria at 06:20 the same day. 

“We are glad to announce the start of our services to the UAE’s Capital and one of the regions fastest growing cities,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “We thank Abu Dhabi’s Civil Aviation Authority and ADAC for their continuous support. Abu Dhabi represents Air Arabia’s fifth destination from our month-old hub in Alexandria, Egypt, and we are confident of the strong demand for air travel between the two countries.  Air Arabia will continue to offer best rates in the market along with the highest standards of service and value for money products.”

Ahmed Al Haddabi, Senior VP Operations, ADAC commented: “We are pleased to be welcoming Air Arabia’s inaugural flight to Abu Dhabi International Airport from Alexandria Egypt, which adds one more destination to our network. Air Arabia is the 5th new airline that ADAC has added to its portfolio this year and will be contributing to our continuing traffic growth. We look forward to seeing this route further develop since the Egyptian market as a whole has great potential. 

“We are dedicated to extending the airport’s services to fit the needs of our local and transfer passengers, which in turn will support Abu Dhabi International Airport’s position as the ideal destination for regional and international airlines.”

Abu Dhabi International Airport is the gateway to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, and a cosmopolitan centre for business and a tourist attraction. The airport is an award-winning facility that is increasingly being recognised as the airport of choice offering passengers a unique combination of functional advantages and convivial travel experience.

Air Arabia is the Middle East and North Africa’s leading low-cost carrier that operates over 65 routes from three hubs in Sharjah, UAE; Casablanca, Morocco and Alexandria, Egypt. The airline recently announced plans of launching its fourth hub in Amman, and currently offers its services to Khartoum, Kuwait, Beirut and Amman from Alexandria.

Air Arabia’s fleet consists of brand new Airbus A320 aircraft, offering its passengers the best economy configuration in the market with a 32” seat pitch as well as all inclusive free baggage allowance. The carrier offers customers comfort, reliability, and value-for-money air travel.

For flight schedules and promotional fares, please visit: www.airarabia.com

• Air Arabia Egypt’s fifth destination
• Four roundtrip flights per week between Alexandria and Abu Dhabi commencing July 12, 2010
• Promotional launch fares are available on www.airarabia.com

Alexandria, Egypt: July 3, 2010: Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), announced today that the next destination from latest hub in Alexandria, Egypt, will be Abu Dhabi. The new service to the UAE’s capital will commence on July 12, 2010.

Roundtrip flights to Air Arabia fifth destination from its Egyptian hub will operate four times per week between Burj Al Arab International Airport, Alexandria, Egypt and Abu Dhabi International Airport, UAE.

The LCC will fly to Abu Dhabi on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Flights depart Alexandria at 22.00 arriving in Abu Dhabi at 02.40 the following day, and return flights depart Abu Dhabi at 03:20, arriving in Alexandria at 06:20 the same day. 

“We have received incredible demand from both our Abu Dhabi and Alexandria residents for low-cost travel solutions between the two countries,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “In line with the increasing demand, we are pleased to announce that our fifth destination from Alexandria will connect North Africa to the UAE.”

Air Arabia is the Middle East and North Africa’s leading low-cost carrier that operates over 65 routes from three hubs in Sharjah, UAE; Casablanca, Morocco and Alexandria, Egypt. The airline recently announced plans of launching its fourth hub in Amman, and currently offers its services to Khartoum, Kuwait, Beirut and Amman from Alexandria.

Air Arabia’s fleet consists of brand new Airbus A320 aircrafts, offering its passengers the best economy configuration in the market with a 32” seat pitch as well as all inclusive free baggage allowance. The carrier offers customers comfort, reliability, and value-for-money air travel.

For flight schedules and promotional fares, please visit: www.airarabia.com.

Swiss International Air Lines has topped the 2010 Airline Satisfaction Survey conducted by “Which?”, the UK-based consumer magazine. The carrier earned the number-one spot against 17 European airline competitors.

The readers of “Which?”, the UK’s biggest-circulation consumer magazine, have voted SWISS number one in the publication’s latest Airline Satisfaction Survey. Over 5 700 respondents gave their views on their most recent short-haul flight in the online poll. As a result of their input, SWISS earned the maximum four-star rating for the quality of its cabin staff, its cleanliness, its seating arrangements, its checked and cabin baggage allowances and its overall value for money.    

“We’re delighted to earn this distinction,” says Mr. Martin Massueger Director, Head of Sales Middle East, Africa, Pakistan and Iran for Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS). “We’re very proud to have been voted number-one airline by our customers. And we see this result as a tribute to our hospitality and our commitment to ensuring that every one of our guests feels at home aboard our flights.  At SWISS, we are serious about satisfying our customers travel needs be it short or long-haul flights.” 

SWISS also earned the coveted Skytrax 2010 World Airline Award for its Staff Service Excellence in Europe last month, following a survey of several million travellers from over 100 countries. And Switzerland’s “Bilanz” business magazine also named SWISS Best European Carrier in its latest airline ratings at the beginning of this month. 
 
This summer, SWISS connects passengers to 73 destinations in 39 countries and offers great value to Middle East travellers to Europe for as low as starting from AED2675 inclusive of taxes and charges.  SWISS operates daily flights from Muscat and non-stop daily flights from Dubai to Zurich.  The airline also now flies to San Francisco, USA for those looking to spend summer in the Bay Area.

SWISS’s connections are seamless and made easier for passengers who are on the go.  Checking in for example is as swift as doing it online via www.swiss.com or at quick check-in kiosks prominently placed in major points of the Zurich Airport. 

• Four  roundtrip flights per week between Alexandria and Beirut
• Promotional launch fares are available on www.airarabia.com

Alexandria, Egypt: June 28, 2010: In line with its 2010 expansion strategy, Air Arabia, the Middle East and North Africa’s first and largest low-cost carrier (LCC), announced today the launch of its services to Beirut, Lebanon, from its third hub in Alexandria starting July 1, 2010.

Roundtrip flights to Air Arabia fourth destination from its Egyptian hub will operate four times per week between Burj Al Arab International Airport, Alexandria and Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport, Lebanon.

The LCC will fly to Beirut on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Flights depart Alexandria at 16:40 arriving in Beirut at 18:00 the same day, and return flights depart Beirut at 18:40, arriving in Alexandria at 20:00 the same day. 

“We are pleased to announce the launch of our fourth destination from our most recent hub in Alexandria,” said Adel Ali, Group Chief Executive Officer, Air Arabia. “This year, Air Arabia will continue to expand its reach across the Middle East and North Africa through all three hubs, offering its customers unparalleled low-cost travel solutions.”

Air Arabia is the Middle East and North Africa’s leading low-cost carrier that operates over 64 routes from three hubs in Sharjah, UAE; Casablanca, Morocco and Alexandria, Egypt. The airline recently announced plans of launching its fourth hub in Amman, and currently offers its services to Khartoum, Kuwait, Beirut and Amman from Alexandria.

Air Arabia’s fleet consists of brand new Airbus A320 aircrafts, offering its passengers the best economy configuration in the market with a 32” seat pitch as well as all inclusive free baggage allowance. The carrier offers customers comfort, reliability, and value-for-money air travel.

For flight schedules and promotional fares, please visit: www.airarabia.com