Emirates & Dubai General Thread

[Isaac 0]

Emirates is KILLING! Just after announcing LAX, they have confirmed on a new non-stop service to SFO from DXB which will begin on 26 October 2008, using B777-200LR.

 

SFO will be the 5th new destinations announced for 2008 (and it's only April!!!) and also the 4th destination for the carrier in the USA after JFK, IAH and LAX.

 

http://www.ameinfo.com/152882.html

Good for Emirates. While Emirates crew service is nothing to shout about (some of them are not really friendly but none of them are rude either). I have flown with them only once and i must say i really like Emirates because they are SUPER CHEAP and you get 100% air miles in any economy class air fare even if it is their lowest economy fare. Both of their IFE and food are great. I just hope they will change the seat configuration of their 77W-ULR and 77E because these planes, unlike the earlier model of 77W, 772, 772ER and 773 which feature 33"-34" of pitch in EY, have ONLY 31"-32" of pitch in EY in 3-4-3 across and this make the 77W-ULR and 77E super tight.

[jani 0]

Bah, Emirates is only good for their food!

 

[Isaac 0]

Bah, Emirates is only good for their food!

You forgot their fabulous ICE system ... and also the CHEAP air fares.

 

[Seth K 3]

Cheap fares? QR is cheaper from Asia to NA...but their outstanding Skywards program never let the frequent fliers down, extra buck worth a lot in the end of the day. Food! No doubt...ask for more, anytime they'll give. I tot starting another US destination via Europe is better than non-stop.

[Isaac 0]

Cheap fares? QR is cheaper from Asia to NA...

Oh, is that so ? I noticed since they relaunced their website we can no longer book flight to US from KUL thru their online booking facility. By the way, their Business Class is cheap too (both EK and QR), around 80%-90% cheaper than MAS/SIA

 

 

but their outstanding Skywards program never let the frequent fliers down,

I'm using Continental OnePass Edited April 9, 2008 by Isaac

[Seth K 3]

I'm using Continental OnePass

My dad quit on continental, since he foudn out it's useless using that card without premium status, SKYWARDS also accept continental miles. MH price on their website is quite ridiculous.

[Naim 6]

April 30, 2008 16:41 PM

 

Dubai Is World's Sixth Busiest Airport

 

DUBAI, April 30 (Bernama) -- Dubai International Airport overtook Singapore's Changi in the first quarter, to become the sixth busiest airport worldwide, latest industry figures show.

 

The growing passengers in Dubai, which reached 9.34 million in the first three months of the year, underlined calls by industry leaders for a new regional traffic control system to bring order to dangerously congested skies over the Gulf, the Emirates news agency (WAM) quoted a report by "The National" as saying on Wednesday.

 

The latest figures from Airports Council International, a global industry association, mark a passing of the torch to the Gulf by Asian airlines that became a global force in the 1970s but are now losing business to this region.

 

GCC countries should establish a centralised air traffic control system because the region's air corridors are becoming dangerously congested, the chief executive of Dubai Airports Paul Griffiths said.

 

Airlines such as Emirates and Etihad are growing faster than air traffic control systems can handle, said Griffiths, who heads the Dubai Government-owned firm that manages the emirate's airports.

 

Speaking at an aviation conference at Grosvenor House hotel in Dubai, Griffiths called on the UAE to forge an accord with its neighbours to create a unified air traffic control system.

 

"This is a very urgent and pressing issue. We need to devote significant emphasis on designing the airspace in Dubai and the GCC," said Griffiths.

 

The executive continued that Gulf countries need to gain more expertise in managing air space, and could learn from Europe, where there was greater co-operation between military and civil aviation agencies.

 

A regional agreement would help unravel some of the restrictive air policies in the Middle East. Currently, airlines are forced to fly certain air corridors, in what has been described as the airline equivalent of the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The restrictions also saddle airlines with extra costs: there are security-related no-fly zones in Iran, Afghanistan, Kuwait and parts of Saudi Arabia and that forces flights from Dubai to the UK or Australia to make detours taking them hundreds of kilometres off course.

 

One of the main reasons Dubai Airports is pressing for regional airspace co-operation is that it expects to receive an influx of new flights to Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, which is under construction and expected to open its runways to cargo flights and budget airlines next year.

 

Griffiths said that Dubai Airports had commissioned a study by NATS, the UK-based air-traffic controller, on how to design the airspace in and around the six-runway Al Maktoum airport, which is to handle as many as 150 million passengers and up to 12 million tonnes of cargo a year.

 

He noted that Abu Dhabi International Airport is also expected to begin construction of its new Midfield Terminal, which will have capacity for some 40 million passengers a year.

 

To operate these two airports properly, Griffiths said the industry was in desperate need of new air traffic controllers.

 

Dubai Airports is also expected to expand its partnerships with academic institutions to train more airport workers.

 

-- BERNAMA

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=329967

[Lam 0]

In no time emirates will surpass SIA as the world most profitable airline as they make BILLIONS now. unbelivable

 

Emirates Posts New Record Profits

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

EMIRATES POSTS NEW RECORD PROFITS

· Group profit up 54.1% to AED 5.3 billion (US$ 1.45 billion)

· Airline profit up 62.1% to AED 5 billion (US$ 1.37 billion)

· Dnata marks net profit of AED 305 million (US$ 83 million)

· 20th consecutive year of net profit for the airline and group

· Ownership to receive AED 1 billion (US$ 272.5 million) dividend

· Group’s estimated contribution to Dubai economy worth AED 47 billion (US$ 12.8 billion)

 

DUBAI, UAE, 30th April 2008 - The Emirates Group today reported its 20th consecutive year of net profit, notching a new profit record despite soaring oil prices and challenging business conditions in the second half of its 2007-08 fiscal year.

 

Group net profits increased 54.1 per cent to AED 5.3 billion (US$ 1.45 billion) for the financial year ended 31st March 2008, on revenues of AED 41.2 billion ($ 11.2 billion) compared to the previous year’s AED 31.1 billion ($ 8.5 billion). The Group net margin improved to 13.2 percent from 11.4 percent in the previous year.

 

The Group also retained a robust cash balance of AED 14.0 billion ($ 3.8 billion), compared with AED 12.9 billion ($ 3.5 billion) the previous year. Emirates will pay a dividend of AED 1 billion ($ 272.5 million)to its owner, the Government of Dubai. In 2007-08, the Group estimates a direct contribution of AED 22 billion ($ 6 billion), and another AED 25 billion ($ 6.8 billion) in indirect contribution to the UAE economy.

 

The 2007-08 Annual Report of the Emirates Group – comprising Emirates Airline, Dnata and subsidiary companies – was released in Dubai today at a news conference hosted by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

 

The Group’s latest record performance reflects its success in growing customer demand through the strategic expansion of its business operations across six continents, supported by ongoing investments in the latest technology, products and customer service while keeping a tight rein on costs. This is illustrated by the 21.2 million passengers who flew with Emirates in the latest financial year, 3.7 million more than in the previous year; as well as the expansion of Dnata’s international ground handling operations to 17 airports in seven countries.

 

Sheikh Ahmed said: “It was another record year for the Group in spite of a challenging business climate, particularly in the second six months where the soaring cost of jet fuel made a big dent, although the impact was partly offset by other operating gains.

 

“Despite the long-term forecast of a decrease in the number of passengers travelling in First and Business class, I am happy to report that Emirates once again bucked the trend and boosted our seat factor in the forward cabins. Emirates is fortunate to be located in Dubai at the centre of the new Silk Road between East and West.

I believe the threat of an economic downturn will be offset for Emirates by the boom in the Middle East, especially the thriving travel industry of tourism and commerce.”

 

Fuel costs remained the top expenditure for the 4th year running, accounting for 30.6 per cent of total operating costs compared with 29.1 per cent the previous year and 27.2 per cent the year before.

 

The airline’s fuel risk management programme continued to reap rewards, saving the company AED 888 million ($242 million) in 2007-08, as WTI crude oil prices hovered around the US$ 90 per barrel mark in the second half of the fiscal year, 50 per cent more than US$ 60 per barrel in the same period the year before. In total, the fuel risk management has saved in excess of AED 3.7 billion ($ 1 billion) since the financial year 2000-01.

 

In his opening review in the 2007-08 Annual Report, Sheikh Ahmed highlighted some major milestones for the Group which included the move of most of the company’s Dubai-based staff to the new Emirates Group Headquarters; the launch of 11 new passenger and freighter destinations across the globe including Emirates’ first South American destination; and the massive 2007 Dubai Air Show aircraft order which has been described as the largest in civil aviation history worth US$ 34.9 billion at list prices.

 

He also noted that the continued ability to attract and retain the best talent for the company’s growing requirements will be one of the Group’s biggest challenges.

 

He said: “As we plan for the next decade, our biggest challenges will be to find more pilots, engineers, cabin crew and skilled staff across our various business units. Fortunately, Emirates has thus far been a strong employer brand, with more than three million unique visitors browsing job opportunities on our online recruitment website last year, from which we received over 288,000 applications for positions within the Group. Being based in Dubai also has its advantages as the city itself is already preparing to welcome 15 million visitors by 2010 and there is massive investment in infrastructure to serve and attract the increasing number of expatriates.”

 

He also reiterated the Emirates Group’s support for Dubai’s new low cost airline which has been established as a separate entity from the Emirates Group; and remarked on competition in the region, saying: “This is a big cake and admittedly, Emirates has a big slice of it, but there is plenty for the other airlines and we welcome them to the region.”

 

Sheikh Ahmed concluded: “The Group’s excellent performance this year is very satisfactory. As with previous years, we do not intend to rest on our laurels. We plan to secure our future growth by investing in the latest technology and products, so that we can continue to provide our customers with the high quality experience that they have come to expect from us.”

 

Emirates Airline’s revenues totalled AED 39.5 billion ($ 10.8 billion), an increase of 32.3 per cent from AED 29.8 billion ($ 8.1 billion) the previous year. Airline profits of AED 5 billion ($1.37 billion) marked a 62.1 per cent increase over 2006-07’s record profits of AED 3.1 billion ($844 million).

 

This result was due to improved yields and higher load factors on increased capacity; as well as other operating gains.

 

In 2007-08, the airline’s fleet expanded with 11 new Boeing 777s delivered, including Emirates’ first 777-200LR passenger aircraft. At the end of the financial year Emirates’ fleet reached 114 aircraft, including 10 freighters, boasting an average age of 67 months – one of the youngest commercial fleets in the skies.

 

The record aircraft order at the 2007 Dubai Air Show brings Emirates’ total order book, excluding options, to 182 aircraft at the end of March 2008, worth approximately US $58 billion.

 

During the year, the airline launched passenger services to seven new destinations - Newcastle, Venice, Sao Paulo, Ahmedabad, Toronto, Houston and Cape Town - and strengthened its existing network by adding services onto existing routes most notably to high-demand cities in China, India, Middle East and Africa.

 

Passenger seat factor increased to 79.8 per cent from 76.2 per cent the previous year. Traffic increased faster by 16.6 per cent to 14,739 million tonne kilometers as compared to the capacity increase of 13.7 per cent to 22,078 million tonne kilometers. While yield improved for the sixth consecutive year to 236 fils (64 US cents) per RTKM (Revenue Tonne Kilometre), up from 216 fils (59 US cents) in 2006-07; high jet fuel prices and rising costs drove breakeven load factor up to 62.7 per cent from 59.9 per cent last year.

 

Emirates continued to enhance its products in the air and on the ground, completing the refurbishment of four Boeing 777 classic aircraft with its new First, Business and Economy Class seats, as well as the latest ice inflight entertainment system with 1,000 channels on-demand.

 

On the ground, chauffeur drive services were expanded to operate in about 40 destinations - including the first offline city in Lugano, Switzerland, and in Venice where an innovative adaptation saw luxury powerboats used for the airport transfers. Emirates also continued to develop its dedicated lounge product around its network, launching its latest in Brisbane that offers stunning 360 degree views and is the first in Australia capable of boarding passengers directly from lounge to the aircraft, including to the upper deck of an A380.

 

Skywards, Emirates’ frequent flyer programme, welcomed its 3.4 millionth member over the course of the year. It also launched The Emirates High Street, an exclusive mail-order catalogue where Skywards Miles or credit card payment may be used to purchase unique items from a wide range of upmarket merchandise.

 

The airline’s internet and e-commerce gateway, www.emirates.com, was redesigned and launched across 76 different sites in 10 languages, offering improved online booking features and a more user-friendly experience.

 

Emirates SkyCargo performed well in what was a turbulent year for the air cargo industry, marking healthy revenue and tonnage carried despite high fuel prices, a U.S. slowdown from the sub-prime crisis, and bad weather affecting agricultural production in key areas. The division carried 1.3 million tonnes of cargo, an improvement of 10.9 per cent over the previous year’s 1.2 million tonnes and recorded a revenue increase of 20 per cent to AED 6.4 billion ($ 1.8 billion), up from AED 5.4 billion ($ 1.5 billion) in 2006-07.

 

Cargo revenue contributed 19 per cent to the airline’s total transport revenue, yet again one of the highest contributions of any airline in the world with a similar fleet. During the year, Emirates SkyCargo introduced freighter-only destinations to Djibouti, Hahn, Toledo and Zaragoza. At the end of the financial year, the freighter fleet was 10 aircraft – five leased and five owned. In all, Emirates SkyCargo carried freight in 114 aircraft, including bellyhold space in the passenger fleet, to 99 cities on six continents.

 

The Destination & Leisure Management division of Emirates Airline had another billion-dirham year, reaching sales of AED 1.4 billion ($382 million), bettering its 2006-07 performance by 22 per cent. Arabian Adventures and Emirates Holidays cared for a total of 397,000 tourists, an eight per cent increase. Arabian Adventures also played host to 297,000 visitors to Dubai over the year, up 13 per cent from 2006-07.

 

Emirates Hotels & Resorts expanded from its original Al Maha property into a multi-property hotel operation with International Central Reservations, a Corporate Sales and Business Development unit, global online distribution systems and support services for the design and development of its growing resort portfolio.

 

The Harbour Hotel and Residence in Dubai Marina opened its doors in November 2007, quickly earning a reputation for quality and increasing occupancy to 85 per cent within three months. Al Maha retained its position as one of the world’s most successful small luxury resorts, recording an average occupancy rate of 78 per cent.

 

Operations geared up for the opening in May 2008 of Emirates Hotels & Resorts’ luxury Green Lakes Serviced Apartments; and construction began on the conservation-based Wolgan Valley Resort & Spa in Australia’s Blue Mountains, scheduled to open end 2009; and Seychelles’ Cap Ternay Resort & Spa entered the detailed design phases for its late 2010 opening.

 

Dnata recorded strong revenue growth of 27.2 per cent to AED 2.6 billion ($718 million), compared with AED 2.1 billion ($565 million) the previous year. Profits reached AED 305 million ($83 million) despite a challenging year for airport and cargo operations with ongoing construction at Dubai airport and peak traffic congestion.

 

As Dnata moves into its 50th year of operation in 2008, it remains at the core of Dubai’s rapid traffic growth, handling 119,510 aircraft (up nine per cent), 35.6 million passengers (up 18.4 per cent), and 632,549 tonnes of cargo (up 18.2 per cent).

 

During 2007-08, Dnata continued to expand its international ground handling operations, investing in ground handling businesses in Switzerland, Australia and China, to bring its reach to 17 airports in seven countries. It opened FreightGate-5 in Dubai Airport Freezone to handle premium freight, and also saw operations at Dubai Terminal 2 increased with the opening of a 37,000 square foot extension that will serve 700 more flights per week and an annual throughput of approximately 5 million passengers.

 

Through investments in staff, technology and marketing, Dnata Travel Services continued to win new retail and corporate customers to report revenue growth of 26 per cent. It expanded its retail presence across the UAE with seven new outlets including a one-stop travel shop in Abu Dhabi, extended its successful Holiday Lounge concept to new locations across Dubai, signed new GSA representation contracts, and broadened its portfolio of travel products services with innovative new offerings such as Camel Polo by Gulf Ventures.

 

In all, the Emirates Group’s Facilities/Projects Management department commissioned and opened AED 2.12 billion ($578 million) worth of new buildings during 2007-08, including the impressive new Emirates Group Headquarters, the Engineering Centre, Dnata Cargo’s Free Zone Logistics Centre, The Harbour Hotel & Residence, and a new crew training college. Projects currently in progress total AED 3.9 billion ($1.1 billion), including new buildings in Dubai such as the Destination & Leisure Management Annexe, Emirates Call Centre and staff accommodation at Ras Al Khor, Al Majan and Media City.

 

As of 31st March 2008, the Group employed 35,286 staff, representing 145 different nationalities. During the year, the Group hired more than 7,000 people including some 2,000 cabin crew and 400 new flight deck crew.

[Alif A. F. 0]

A regional agreement would help unravel some of the restrictive air policies in the Middle East. Currently, airlines are forced to fly certain air corridors, in what has been described as the airline equivalent of the Strait of Hormuz.

 

The restrictions also saddle airlines with extra costs: there are security-related no-fly zones in Iran, Afghanistan, Kuwait and parts of Saudi Arabia and that forces flights from Dubai to the UK or Australia to make detours taking them hundreds of kilometres off course.

 

http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/v3/news_lite.php?id=329967

 

 

Wow...that congested...certainly flying through middle east airspace needs some extra precaution ya?...

[Radzi 2]

14 weeks bonus?

[Imran K. 0]

14 weeks bonus?

 

yup...

 

 

 

[LeeCH 0]

14 weeks only?

Edited May 4, 2008 by LeeCH

[Imran K. 0]

14 weeks only?

 

Our bonus not like yours maa...berbulan bulan

 

 

14 weeks enough la...can buy new Maserati...

[Pieter C. 5]

yup...

 

Holy Smokes !!!

Any vacancies ?

[Imran K. 0]

Holy Smokes !!!

Any vacancies ?

 

Haha...check your PM.

[Radzi 2]

14 weeks enough la...can buy new Maserati...

 

So no problem for a used Waja, isn't it?

 

[Imran K. 0]

So no problem for a used Waja, isn't it?

 

Now the grandparents dont want it...they settled on MyVi..

 

 

i guess ill take the Waja...long long time more until i can bring back my car from Dubai

 

 

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

A month after announcing their service to SFO, Emirates announced their 6th newest destination for 2008, Durban in South Africa.

 

Durban will be EK's 3rd destinations in South Africa after Johannesburg and Cape Town. Currently, EK is serving JNB 3 times daily and CPT daily. Durban will be served daily too with Airbus A330-200 aircraft offering 27 Business Class and 251 Economy Class seats. This exciting new addition brings EK's frequencies to South Africa to 35 flights per week. The Dubai-Durban flight will cover a distance of over 6,600 kms in 8 hours 40 minutes.

 

Flight Schedule

EK774 departs Dubai daily at 04:45 hours and arrives in Durban at 11:25 hours

EK775 departs Durban at 13:15 hours and arrives in Dubai at 23:45 hours

 

http://www.emirates.com/english/about/news...E_EMIRATES.aspx

 

The service to Durban will start on 1 December 2008.

[Keith T 2]

My dad quit on continental, since he foudn out it's useless using that card without premium status, SKYWARDS also accept continental miles. MH price on their website is quite ridiculous.

 

I put all my EK miles towards UA Mileage Plus. Pretty good value - I can get a ticket MEL-PPT/NAN/NOU etc with stopover in AKL on Air NZ for 20 000 miles.

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

A few days ago, Qatar Airways (QR) announced that they are going to start their own LCC too. More pressure and competitions ahead.

 

Qatar Airways CEO Akbar al-Baker said the airline was currently contemplating setting up its own low-cost carrier in the face of increasing competition from the region budget carrier sector.

 

“Launching a low-cost carrier is becoming a fashion now and we may soon join the fashion too… we will not be tying up with any low-cost airline. If the influx of low-cost carriers into the market is going to hurt my market share, yes, we will launch our own low-cost carrier,” al-Baker said, the newspaper quoted.

 

Currently there are three budget carriers that operate out of Qatar, including Sharjah-based Air Arabia, India’s Air India Express and Bahrain Air.

 

“A low-cost is not really low-cost in our region. And the model does not actually work in our region. But we will have to do something if my market share is hurt,” al-Baker said.

 

Source: http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topic...sio...mp;parent_id=56

Edited May 12, 2008 by Mohd Azizul Ramli

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

The service to Durban will start on 1 December 2008.

News are spreading that EK will delay Durban for a while. Maybe because of the current fuel prices.

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

EK's LCC is approaching soon. Welcome, FlyDubai!

 

Dubai's Low Cost Airline Named "FlyDubai"

FlyDubai on track for launch of first flights mid-2009

 

DUBAI, U.A.E., 25th June 2008 -- Dubai's new low cost airline has been named "FlyDubai". The brand identity and livery for FlyDubai will be unveiled in the coming months. HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, UAE Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, has approved the name FlyDubai from a shortlist presented by HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of the new low-cost airline.

 

Sheikh Ahmed said: "FlyDubai is a simple, yet powerful call to action. It makes an immediate link to our core business, which is providing no-frills flights to bring people to and from Dubai. The name also carries a strong association with the city of Dubai, itself a brand synonymous with excellence, reliability and an international, pro-business approach.

 

"FlyDubai's operations will potentially cover an area of some two billion inhabitants. It will support Dubai's commercial and tourism sectors by serving a new set of travellers, and providing them with affordable air links to popular, high-demand destinations. A lot of ground work has been done thus far, and I'm pleased to note that FlyDubai is on track to launch its first flights by mid-2009." FlyDubai will initially focus on regional flights within the GCC area and surrounding countries. Its operations will be entirely separate from Emirates Airline and Group.

 

Ghaith al Ghaith, Chief Executive, FlyDubai said: "Since the government announced the formation of Dubai's new low cost airline in March, it has been all systems go. We are recruiting for key positions, evaluating aircraft options and routes, working out our pricing and distribution strategy, and putting in place the structure and operational resources for the business.

 

"Efficiency is the pillar of our business model. In terms of our customer proposition, we will focus on keeping things simple and flexible. We want to make it easy for our customers to interact with us, and to have more control in how they book, purchase and select value-added services to their basic flight experience. It has been a busy time, but everything is going to plan. The selection of a name for the airline is only the first of many milestones to come, and we look forward to announcing more details over the coming months."

[Mohd Azizul Ramli 2]

Just an update for the thead. FlyDubai revealed their livery and ordered 54 Boeing 737-800 aircrafts (the same as MH's new fleet of narrow body) during the Farnborough Air Show, where 50 aircrafts will be a direct purchase while another 4 will be leased. With the fleet announced, maybe our national carriers, MH and AK/D7 can breath easier as FlyDubai will not venture into their territory. FlyDubai will serve the market within 4 hours radius from DXB, which Malaysia is not part of. However, FlyDubai provides massive co-operation opportunities to AK/D7 especially, for some sort of an alliance venture (like what AK is planning with AirArabia earlier).

 

Image from www.boeing.com

 

The official press release from Boeing. http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q3/080714a_nr.html

 

FARNBOROUGH, United Kingdom, July 14, 2008 -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Dubai's recently launched low-cost airline FlyDubai today announced an order for 50 Next-Generation 737-800s at the Farnborough Airshow. Valued at approximately $3.74 billion at current list prices, the order will be added to Boeing's Orders & Deliveries Web site at the next regularly scheduled update. FlyDubai has substitution rights to convert its 737-800 orders to 737-900ERs (extended range) in the future.

 

"The Boeing Next-Generation 737 is ideally suited to our mission to bring some two billion regional inhabitants affordable, efficient and flexible travel options to and from Dubai," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman of the new low-cost airline. "FlyDubai will be the first step for a new set of passengers seeking out high-demand tourist destinations in the Gulf States and surrounding countries, while bringing connectivity to all parts of the globe."

 

The Dubai government initially formed FlyDubai in March. Since then, the airline has been building a business model based on flexible flight operations with a high degree of interactivity with its customers, giving them greater control in booking flights and tailoring their in-flight services. The low-cost airline's operations will be entirely separate from Emirates Airline and Group. Boeing Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer CEO Jim McNerney hosted a ceremonial signing and press conference held at the air show.

 

"Our relationship with the UAE is something we truly value and have worked to strengthen over time," McNerney said. "Today's order is the result of a thorough analysis of the contributions the Next-Generation 737 can make to FlyDubai's innovative business model. We foresee the unmatched efficiency and operability of this incredible airplane bringing the same success to our partners in Dubai as it does to so many of the world's most successful low-cost carriers."

[Ashmil Abd Ghani 0]

Look like we will get new "baby" soon..

[H C Chai 4]

Just to share... Emirates is having some attractive offers ex-SIN to Brisbane, Melbourne and Colombo, for travelling up to end June. SIN-Melbourne return is only S$403 (RM950) incl taxes! Good availability too. The fare also earns you 7,500 Skyward miles. New Skywards member will also get an additional 2,500 bonus miles.

 

Good for those in SIN and Johor!

 

What an offer!

 

Edited April 12, 2009 by H C Chai