The World's Top 100 Airlines in 2014 - 3 GCC Arab airlines in the top 10

[al-Hasani]

ATA: Mideast carriers record strongest traffic growth

The new Airbus A 350 of Qatar Airways approaches the gate at the airport in Frankfurt, Germany. (AP)
​

JEDDAH: ARAB NEWS

Published — Friday 6 February 2015

Last update 6 February 2015 9:59 pm

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has announced global passenger traffic results for 2014 showing demand (revenue passenger kilometers or RPKs) rose 5.9 percent compared to 2013.
Capacity rose 5.6 percent last year, with the result that load factor climbed 0.2 percentage points to 79.7 percent. All regions saw demand grow in 2014, according to an IATA statement.
It said that more than half of the growth in passenger travel occurred on airlines in emerging markets including Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. In recent months, domestic market growth played a large role in driving growth. This is owed mainly to a pick-up in Chinese domestic travel which expanded by some 11 percent in 2014 over the previous year.

International passenger markets

International passenger traffic rose 6.1 percent in 2014 compared to 2013. Capacity rose 6.4 percent and load factor slipped 0.1 percentage points to 79.2 percent.

Asia Pacific carriers recorded an increase of 5.8 percent compared to 2013, which was the largest increase among the three biggest regions. However, traffic has been broadly flat over the past four months or so amid signs of a slowdown in regional production activity, although trade volumes have remained strong. Capacity rose 7.0 percent, pushing down load factor 1.1 percentage points to 76.9 percent.

European carriers’ international traffic climbed 5.7 percent in 2014. Capacity rose 5.2 percent and load factor rose 0.6 percentage points 81.6 percent. Robust travel on low fare airlines as well as airlines registered in Turkey offset economic weakness and risks in the region.

North American airlines saw demand rise 3.1 percent in 2014 over 2013. Among developed economies, the US is the standout performer. Capacity rose 4.6 percent, dropping load factor 1.1 percentage points to 81.7 percent. This was the highest among all regions.

Middle East carriers had the strongest annual traffic growth at 13 percent. The region’s economies continue to show robust growth in non-oil sectors, and are therefore well-placed to withstand the plunge in oil revenues. Capacity rose 11.9 percent and load factor climbed 0.8 percentage points to 78.1 percent.

Latin American airlines’ traffic rose 5.8 percent. Capacity rose 4.7 percent and load factor climbed 0.8 percentage points to 80 percent. While Brazilian economic growth has stagnated, regional trade volumes have improved in recent months.

African airlines experienced the slowest annual demand growth, up 0.9 percent compared to 2013. With capacity up 3.0 percent, load factor fell 1.5 percentage points to 67.5 percent, the lowest among the regions. The weakness in international air travel for regional carriers is not believed to be attributable to the Ebola outbreak, the impact of which has been restricted largely to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, markets that comprise a very small proportion of traffic. Instead it appears to reflect negative economic developments in parts of the continent including Nigeria, which is highly reliant on oil revenues. South Africa also experienced weakness earlier in the year.

The Bottom Line

“In the aftermath of the Greek elections and the intensifying debate on how to deliver a dynamic economic program for Europe, we must not forget the power of air connectivity to create growth,” said Tyler.
He said: “Governments can kick-start economic development by reducing the passenger taxes that depress demand for air transport, costing jobs and prosperity. There are some positive signs. The Scottish government is promising to cut its air passenger duty by 50 percent. And Austria’s air transport levy is being evaluated as part of comprehensive tax reforms. Scrapping the Austrian levy alone could create some 3,300 jobs. That should help convince politicians in these countries to move from considering reductions to delivering results.”
Tyler said: “High taxes, onerous regulation and infrastructure limitations make Europe a tough place to run an airline. A continent-wide commitment to address these issues so that aviation can play its critical role as an economic catalyst would be a powerful signal that Europe’s politicians really do mean business.”

IATA: Mideast carriers recordstrongest traffic growth | Arab News

Middle East here equals GCC airlines & Turkish Airlines.

 

[al-Hasani]

In other news;

King Fahd International Airport in Dammam recorded 8.5 million passengers in 2014. A growth of 12% compared to 2013.

مطار الدمام ينقل 8.5 مليون راكب في عام

Saudi Arabian Airlines have also opened a route from Tabuk to Cairo. 9 foreign airlines operating in Tai'f Regional Airport as well.

Administrative changes for Saudia;

تكليفات جديدة في الخطوط السعودية​

اليوم - جدة
أصدر مدير عام الخطوط السعودية المهندس صالح بن ناصر الجاسر قراراً -بناء على موافقة رئيس الهيئة العامة للطيران المدني رئيس مجلس إدارة الخطوط الجوية العربية السعودية سلمان بن عبدالله الحمدان- بتكليفات في أربعة قطاعات حيوية في المؤسسة. وتضمنت التكليفات الجديدة في قطاع العمليات الجوية والشؤون التجارية والعلاقات العامة والإعلام وشركة الخطوط السعودية للنقل الجوي، وذلك بتكليف عبدالمحسن بن محمود جنيد رئيساً تنفيذياً لشركة الخطوط السعودية للنقل الجوي، وخالد بن حماد البلوي مساعدا للمدير العام التنفيذي للشؤون التجارية، والكابتن خالد بن سليمان الشماسي مساعداً للمدير العام للعمليات الجوية، وتكليف عبدالرحمن بن حمد الفهد مساعداً للمدير العام للعلاقات العامة والإعلام.

اليوم : تكليفات جديدة في الخطوط السعودية

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Atlanta and Dubai home to the world's busiest airports
March 27, 2015 1:12 PM



The Airports Council International has released a list of the world's busiest airports.

Georgia's Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport has retained the title of world’s busiest airport after having shuffled a whopping 96 million flyers through its terminals in 2014, while Dubai has edged past London to become the busiest hub for international passenger traffic.

That’s according to the latest report from the Airports Council International, which looked at airport traffic statistics to compile lists of the busiest airports around the world.

For the 17th year in a row, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport cemented its position, seeing an increase of more than 1.7 million flyers pass through its halls in 2014 compared to the year prior for a total of 96.1 million people -- more than the entire population of Ethiopia.

In 2014, about 70 million international passengers flew through Dubai International Airport, bumping London Heathrow from the top spot as the busiest hub for international flyers and solidifying its status as a major connecting hub, said Rafael Echevarne, economics director of ACI World.

“The airport that continued to make its mark in 2014 was Dubai International,” he said in a statement.

“Dubai is the fulcrum that connects long-haul international flights from east and west, north and south.”

Istanbul Ataturk Airport recorded nearly 11 percent growth in passenger traffic in 2014 to become one of the fastest growing hubs among the world’s top 20 airports, moving from 18th to 13th place ahead of Amsterdam.

Globally, passenger traffic increased by more than five percent between 2013 and 2014.

And with 881,933 take-offs and landings, Chicago O’Hare surpassed Atlanta to become the busiest airport for aircraft movements.

Here are the top 10 world’s busiest airports in 2014 according to the ACI:

1. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Atlanta, USA
2. Beijing Capital International Airport, China
3. London Heathrow Airport, England
4. Tokyo International Airport or Haneda Airport, Japan
5. Los Angeles International Airport, USA
6. Dubai International Airport
7. Chicago O’Hare International Airport, USA
8. Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport, France
9. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, USA
10. Hong Kong International Airport

Atlanta and Dubai home to the world's busiest airports - Yahoo News

 

[Soumitra]

Indigo @ 43, Spicejet @ 87 , Jet Airways @ 75 are the Indian ones. Air India no where to be seen, as expected.

Indigo is the best indian airline

 

[Saif al-Arab]

GCC aviation sector to outperform others​

JEDDAH – The growth in air passenger and air cargo traffic in the Middle East, between 2012 and 2032, is likely to outperform that across all other regions, Alpen Capital in its report predicted.

Air passenger traffic in the Middle East, in terms of Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK), is expected to expand at a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7 percent, while air cargo traffic, in terms of Freight Tonne Kilometers (FTK), is expected to grow at a 7.2 percent CAGR.

Air passenger traffic on outbound routes from the Middle East is expected to outpace that on traditional routes such as Europe – Europe, Europe – North America, and North America – North America. Within the Middle East, air passenger traffic in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, and Oman is expected to grow at a 6.6 percent, 6.9 percent, and 7.5 percent CAGR, respectively, between 2012 and 2017.

The Middle East aviation market is expected to receive the delivery of 2,610 aircraft between 2012 and 2032, valued at $550 billion. As a result, the total fleet size in the region is expected to increase at a 4.7 percent CAGR during the period to reach 2850 aircraft in 2032.The business jet fleet size in the Middle East is projected to grow to 1420 from 400 between 2012 and 2032.The Middle East Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) market is expected to grow at an 8.6 percent CAGR between 2013 and 2022 to be valued at $8.0 billion.

Being strategically located at approximately an eight-hour flying distance from two-third of the world’s population, the Gulf acts as a central aviation hub and a key link between the eastern and the western worlds.
Further abundant oil reserves in the region ensure a stable fuel supply for the region’s carriers at a cost lower than their global competitors.

An expanding population base in the Gulf particularly that of the foreign nationals who travel to their native countries frequently is likely to propel the growth of the airline operators. Additionally, growing urbanization in the region is also expected to drive the demand for aviation services.

The demand for business and leisure travel by air is slated to rise in the wake of higher income levels across the GCC. Further, an increasing number of wealthy individuals in the region is also likely to trigger the demand for air charter services.

The Gulf countries have embarked upon ambitious plans to develop tourism across segments such as medical, adventure, sports, religious, and business. This is likely to draw more tourists into the region, increasing air travel across the GCC.

Most of the region’s airports and allied infrastructure are undergoing significant expansion to accommodate the growth in cargo and passenger traffic carried by the Gulf carriers. Growing air traffic has triggered an aggressive fleet expansion by the Gulf carriers.

A limited rail network and lack of any other easy and efficient mode of transport in the Gulf is also fueling the demand for aviation services.

The GCC countries have pursued liberalized and progressive aviation policies over the past few years to enhance the transparency and competitiveness of the sector.

International branding and sponsorship - Gulf-based carriers, particularly Emirates Airlines, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways sponsor sports teams, events, stadiums, and cultural festivals internationally to enhance their brand image and strengthen their customer connect. They are also recipients of several awards which are a testimony of their position as leading premium airline brands in the world.

International alliances and code-sharing agreements - Apart from gaining brand recognition, these memberships assist the carriers in expanding their operations globally, garnering code-sharing agreements, and sharing knowledge with other global airlines. Further, over the past few years, most of the Gulf carriers have entered into code-sharing agreements with several other global airlines to expedite their network expansion.

Growing prominence of International airshows - In the last few years, Dubai Airshow, Bahrain International Airshow, and the Abu Dhabi Air Expo have emerged as networking platforms for the global aerospace industry as a result of the higher purchasing power of the fast-growing Gulf carriers.

In house training facilities for staff - To cater to the growing demand of pilots and other airline staff, Emirates Airline, Etihad Airways, and Qatar Airways are now focusing on imparting training to their staff.

Growing Expertise of UAE in specific segments - The UAE is developing its market positioning in the global MRO and leasing markets through organic and inorganic means.

Increasing role of Middle East banks in the aviation sector - The role of the Middle East-based banks in the aviation financing sector is likely to increase in future, once they gain the required expertise with time. Aviation financing is also seen as an attractive avenue for institutional investors such as sovereign wealth funds, insurance companies, pension funds, and private equity funds in the future.

In-flight entertainment services offered by LCCs - The GCC-based LCCs such as flydubai and Air Arabia, have started offering comprehensive in- flight entertainment means to their customers.

The Gulf is increasingly becoming a competitive market with the existing regional carriers competing among themselves and with the international players for a larger share of air traffic. However, competition hampers the transferring of the fuel price volatility to the passengers. Also, with many players, the GCC airspace is becoming congested, resulting in increased operating costs and flight delays.

Lack of secondary airports in the GCC has forced its budget carriers to operate out of the main airports of their respective countries, pushing them into direct competition with the FSCs.

Robust fleet expansion plans of the major GCC-based carriers might lead to overcapacity across the sector, once the new aircraft are delivered. The aggressive fleet expansion by GCC carriers will require an increased number of skilled personnel and staff to maintain the new aircraft. The potential concern of a limited supply of skilled labor may be required to be addressed. Further, as the Gulf-based carriers expand their footprint internationally, securing landing slots at some international airports may become difficult.

Some GCC-based national carriers that enjoy backing from their respective governments are resistant towards their privatization as that would put them in direct competition with privately-owned local and international carriers.

Prolonged global economic uncertainty may have a negative effect on the GCC aviation sector in the medium term.

Adhering to a myriad of environmental norms and policies stipulated by aviation regulators, across the world, may pose a challenge for airline companies in the future.

The attractiveness of the GCC aviation sector far outshines its challenges, making it the place to be in for accelerated growth. The demand for aviation services in the GCC is here to stay for the long term, benefiting all its stakeholders. — SG

GCC aviation sector to outperform others | Economy | Saudi Gazette

Excellent news for the already booming aviation sector in the GCC.

 

[Al Bhatti]

“If GCC countries are expected to handle more than 400 million passengers annually by 2020 they will have to take some measures in that Another major problem could be with trained staff. The GCC will need more than 35,000 new pilots and 50,000 new technical personnel over the next two decades.”

February 11, 2015

Hiring spree to boost Emirates Airline staff

Emirates Group plans to add 11,000 new staff in the coming year across its businesses including the airline, potentially boosting Dubai’s wider economy including its residential property market amid a slowdown in the sector and lower oil prices.

The company includes the air services provider dnata and its fast-growing carrier, which has been putting pressure on European and American rivals as it expands into new markets.

Emirates said that the new recruits will increase its head count by 6 per cent by March 2016.

About half of the new hires will be Dubai-based cabin crew for the airline, Emirates said. The carrier will add 20 aircraft to its fleet this year.

The group is also recruiting for flight operations, engineering, airport operations, commercial business development and corporate roles.

“Right now we have over 75,000 employees in Dubai and around the world. More than 12,000 of our employees have been with the group for over 10 years, and almost 3,000 have worked with us for over 20 years,” said Abdulaziz Al Ali, executive vice president for human resources at Emirates Airline and Group.

Media reported over the weekend that dnata is among a handful of investors keen on buying the UK unit of the Swiss travel agent Kuoni.

Dubai and its flag carrier Emirates are using the city’s strategic location to create a “connection hub” for flights between Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.

The airline currently operates the world’s biggest fleet of the Airbus A380s, the world’s largest passenger plane. It has more than 50 in operation and 140 on order.

“This announcement reflects the ongoing expansion of one of Dubai’s key sectors, particularly when it is compounded to the announcement that Dubai International Airport has become the world’s busiest airport,” said Carla Slim, the Middle East and North Africa economist at Standard Chartered bank.

Aviation has played a significant role in the growth of Dubai’s economy and the sector is expected to contribute 32 per cent to the emirate’s GDP by 2020, according to government estimates.

Last year the economy of the UAE grew by more than 4 per cent, and while this year it may be slowed by lower oil prices, economists say the part of the country’s GDP that is not heavily dependent on hydrocarbons to make money, including transport and tourism, will still flourish.

“Given that half of the new hires will be based in Dubai, this will contribute to the emirate’s growing population and expanding labour force. This is without a doubt positive for Dubai’s economy,” Ms Slim said.

Alan Robertson, chief executive of JLL in the Middle-East and North-Africa region said: “Expansion of employment results in additional demand for residential accommodation and additional economic activity for the shops and restaurants.

“Emirates and other [companies] increasing employee numbers is part of Dubai’s growth story.”

According to JLL, Dubai will add 22,000 residential units – villas and apartments – this year .

But the degree of impact from the new recruits on Dubai’s residential market is hard to quantify.

“It’s difficult to say how much is the Emirates demand in the residential market, because it depends on how much extra housing needs to be provided,” said Mr Robertson.

“Maybe Emirates already have employee housing available for its new staff. There could be flat-sharing or some in labour camps, which will have less impact,” he said.

Last month, the ratings agency Standard & Poor’s said Dubai home prices could fall by as much as 20 per cent this year on increased supply and weakening investor sentiment triggered by the tumbling price of oil.

The value of Dubai property transactions in 2014 fell 7.6 per cent compared with the previous year to Dh218 billion, according to Dubai Land Department data last month.

Hiring spree to boost Emirates Airline staff | The National



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




April 27, 2015

Emirates airline to recruit 5,000 cabin crew
Hiring for new aircraft which includes 15 A380s this year

Dubai’s Emirates airline aims to hire 5,000 more cabin crew staff as it expands its fleet and adds new routes this year.

Promising stronger prospects of growing up the professional ladder during their career, the airline has reached more than 20,000 crew members from 135 nationalities which speak over 55 languages.

“There are many opportunities for progression within the airline as well as being promoted through the cabin crew ranks. Many crew progress from Economy Class to Business Class in less than 18 months and others who stay on have become Pursers or cabin crew leaders onboard in around five to six years,” the airline said.

“Now at 20,000 cabin crew, we have come a long way in a short span of time, and we are proud to celebrate this milestone with our talented and passionate team,” said Terry Daly, Divisional Senior Vice President – Service Delivery, Emirates.

“The growth of the cabin crew team has been steadily increasing in line with the arrival of new aircraft, and new routes being added to the network. This year, Emirates expects to hire over 5,000 new cabin crew,” the carrier said.

Currently the world’s largest A380 operator with 57 aircraft in fleet, Emirates is expecting to take delivery of 15 A380s in 2015 and currently has 83 A380s on order.

For the selected cabin crew candidates, its employment package includes free of charge high standard, shared accommodation in Dubai, free accommodation utilities such as water and electricity, free transport to/from work, free insurance, medical and dental cover, as well as exclusive discounts on shopping and leisure activities in Dubai.

For many of Emirates’ cabin crew team, it offers concessional travel benefits for themselves as well as their families and friends.

Earlier this month, it signed $9.2 billion (Dh33.76 billion) engine order with Rolls-Royce order for the A380s.

With a fleet of more than 230 aircraft, it flies to over 140 destinations in more than 80 countries around the world. More than 1,500 Emirates flights depart Dubai each week on their way to destinations on six continents.


Carrying 44.5 million passengers and 2.25 million tonnes of cargo in the financial year 2013-2014, the airline’s financial years starts from April.

During the first-half of 2014-2015 financial year, Emirates carried 23.3 million passengers between April 1 and September 30, 2014, up 8.4 per cent from the same period last year.

Emirates airline to recruit 5,000 cabin crew - Emirates 24|7

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Passenger and freight traffic: GCC only region to record double-digit growth

DUBAI: ARAB NEWS

Published — Thursday 30 April 2015

Last update 29 April 2015 10:04 pm

The Middle East has been at the forefront of aviation’s passenger traffic growth rate in terms of revenue passenger kilometers this past decade.
At the same time it has also led with the highest freight growth rate, being the only region recording a two digit growth from 2013 onwards.
According to a report by Al-Masah Capital, the GCC has kept pace with the increasing demand for air travel using its network of 58 airports to good advantage.
In terms of passenger traffic, Dubai International Airport (DIA) is the busiest airport in the region, handling close to 70 million passengers in 2014, followed by the Doha International Airport (26 million) and the Abu Dhabi International Airport (20 million).
In 2014, DIA beat London’s Heathrow airport to become the world’s busiest airport for international passengers.
“The growth spurts in the industry may differ across various regions with the improving global economy being a key driver,” says Shailesh Dash, CEO of Al-Masah.
According to the findings in the report Dash adds: “We believe a 5 percent annual growth in traffic and a commensurate 4.7 percent spike in cargo is very much on the cards over the next twenty years. Both, the demographics and the strong infrastructure favor such a positive trend.”
The region’s strategic location as a bridge between the East and West also makes it possible to connect 67 percent of the world’s population into a maximum 8-hour travel zone which is why the passenger traffic has risen from 42 million in 2004 to 150 million in 2014 giving the GCC a market share rise from 2.5 to 4.7 percent in the same time frame.
Al-Masah underscores the factors that have contributed tangibly to the robust state of the GCC’s aviation sector.
High spending power (three times that of the global level) a low road density, significant investment by government in aircraft and development of futuristic city-ports, a concerted effort to encourage tourism with promotional incentives like shopping festivals, shopping malls and emphasizing the seven S factors: shopping, sun, sea, security, sport, systems and standards.
The limited rail and other surface options have also given air travel a lift.
Dash says that the World EXPO 2020 in Dubai and the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar are expected to further boost tourism, driving demand for air travel.
Dubai, for example, is expecting the influx of 20 million tourists per year until 2020.
Seeing as how fuel accounts for 30-plus percent of an airline’s costs, cheap aviation fuel ensures a stable supply of aviation turbine fuel for the region’s carriers at prices lower than that for their global competitors and this offers them a sharp edge especially when the service levels are competitive and often even better.
The Al-Masah report indicates that the GCC serves as an ideal hub for long-haul flights and for air freight transported to and from manufacturing hubs in the Asia-Pacific region.
It has been seen that travelers across the globe prefer to break their journey in the GCC thereby making it a major transit point for intercontinental air traffic.
One of the most laudable aspects are the liberal policies of the GCC governments intended to enhance transparency in the aviation sector and be progressive by offering the private sector the opportunity to be part of the industry.
Instead of being protectionist the Open Skies Policy by the UAE is one such effort aimed at establishing a liberal operating environment.
Kuwaiti authorities liberalized the aviation industry by granting three new licenses to airline companies in 2003.
In 2011, Saudi Arabia’s General Authority for Civil Aviation opened up the aviation sector to foreign airline operators.
Following this, Qatar Airways and Gulf Air were granted licenses and set up two new airlines — Al-Maha and Saudi Gulf Airlines, respectively — in the country in 2014. Oman plans to open up the industry to private sector involvement.
There are, however, a few issues that need to be addressed, according to the Al-Masah findings.
One of the key challenges for the industry is the relatively weak air traffic management and regulation in the region combined with a shortage of trained personnel and flexibility in airspace usage.
The concern of future congestion is not unfounded and could contribute to high operating costs, flight delays and low operating efficiencies.
At present only 50 percent of the GCC airspace is available for commercial aircraft (the remaining airspace is largely controlled by the military), leading to the use of inefficient flight corridors and higher costs for airlines. The lack of coordination between commercial and military air traffic management has resulted in large operational inefficiencies (owing to under-utilization of the Dash believes there is widespread support for establishing a single regional air traffic management system, similar to Europe’s Eurocontrol, to be implemented in the Gulf region and rolled out to cover other countries in the Middle East.
“If GCC countries are expected to handle more than 400 million passengers annually by 2020 they will have to take some measures in that Another major problem could be with trained staff. The GCC will need more than 35,000 new pilots and 50,000 new technical personnel over the next two decades.”
The search has to start now.
With 850 new aircraft inked into the books the risk of over capacity is high seeing that nearly 65 percent of the purchase is marked for expansion.
With landing rights becoming an issue there could be an excess capacity. Securing landing slots is also a major impediment and can slow down In the recent past, airlines based in Europe and North America have lobbied with their governments to limit the number of landing slots for GCC carriers.
For example, Germany and Canada have decided to not allocate additional landing slots to Emirates,
It is for these reasons that the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has urged GCC agencies to collaborate to address the common issue of traffic congestion in the region and effectively manage the expected rise in traffic in the coming years.
GCAA aims to build a unified aviation traffic monitoring system in line with the European’s Eurocontrol integrated air traffic management system.
Dash concludes by saying the mood is upbeat and with good reason.
“The GCC region has a young, growing population and a large expatriate population,” he says.
“The relatively high standard of living, job opportunities, medical facilities and ease of connectivity with the rest of the world have led to strong economic growth in recent years. The GCC region’s population has
grown at around 3.5 percent annually over the last five years and is characterized by high levels of urbanization which all means more air travel.”

Passenger and freight traffic: Middle East only region to record double-digit growth | Arab News

Excellent news.

@Al Bhatti

"Currently the world’s largest A380 operator with 57 aircraft in fleet, Emirates is expecting to take delivery of 15 A380s in 2015 and currently has 83 A380s on order."

That's just insane.

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Saudia buys 100 new Airbus, Boeing aircraft​

Tuesday, 05 May 2015

JEDDAH — The board of Saudi Arabian Airlines will purchase 100 new aircraft from Airbus and Boeing in line with its five year plan from 2015-2020.

Saudi Arabian Airlines Director General Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser said recently the plan is meant to strengthen operational efficiency as part of the continuous modernization of the fleet.

Previously Saudia ordered 90 state-of-the-art aircraft from Boeing and Airbus and all but 12 of them have not been delivered, according to local media sources.

Growing domestic passenger requirements and the expansion of the airline’s international operations make this purchase necessary.

The five-year strategic plan includes the empowerment of the airline staffs and the modernization of airline infrastructures and strategic units.

The potentials and resources of the company were also taken into consideration as Jasser stated that “the completion of the airline’s privatization process” was also included.

At the board meeting, it was voiced that the plan will yield positive results because it was prepared in collaboration with a specialized international consultancy firm.

The board noted that one of the challenges facing the company is the disruptions of its operations by sandstorms. Airlines have been obliged to delay or postpone their scheduled flights when airports are hit by it due to passenger and aircraft safety.

Many airports are affected by it in Saudi Arabia. Measures to reduce the effect of weather changes were discussed by the board.

Sulaiman Al-Humaidan, president of the General Authority of Civil Aviation, also the chairman of Saudi Arabian Airlines, chaired the meeting. — SG/Agencies

Saudia buys 100 new Airbus, Boeing aircraft | Economy | Saudi Gazette​

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Saudi Airlines to expand fleet by over 80 planes

Saudi Arabia’s air travel market is benefiting from strong population growth and rising incomes, but Saudia may face stiffer competition in future (File photo: AP)
​

By Reuters | Khobar, Saudi Arabia
Tuesday, 19 May 2015

National carrier Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) plans to add more than 80 planes to its fleet by 2020, expanding its size by over two-thirds, a top executive was quoted as saying by state news agency SPA.

Director-general Saleh bin Nasser al-Jasser said the state-owned carrier would raise the number of its planes to 200 from 119 now and add new international and domestic routes.

He did not give details of the planned purchases or say how they would be financed. A Saudia spokesman could not be reached for comment.

The airline carried over 28 million passengers last year, Jasser said without giving comparative figures. At present its only domestic competitor is budget carrier flynas, which carried 6.5 million passengers in 2014, almost double the 3.3 million which it carried in 2013.

Saudia decided to privatize its units in 2006, though the process has been proceeding slowly. It listed catering unit Saudi Airlines Catering Co in 2012 and earlier this month, the stock market regulator approved an initial public offer of shares in Saudi Ground Services Co.

Saudi Arabia’s air travel market is benefiting from strong population growth and rising incomes, but Saudia may face stiffer competition in future. The country announced in 2012 that it would liberalize its domestic aviation market.

Qatar Airways has obtained permission to run a Saudi domestic carrier, Al Maha Airways, though its chief executive said in December that complicated bureaucracy meant the launch of the Saudi arm would be delayed a further six to 18 months.

http://english.alarabiya.net/en/bus...rlines-to-expand-fleet-by-over-80-planes.html

 

[Armstrong]

Congratulations....!

 

[Saif al-Arab]

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Etihad's profit surges 52 per cent
​

Khaleej Times - 29 May, 2015

Etihad Airways posted on Thursday its strongest earnings to date in 2014 with a 52.1 per cent growth to $ 73 million. The revenues grew 26.7 per cent year-on-year to $ 7.6 billion in the year.

The strong performance, which marked the airline’s fourth consecutive year of net profitability, also saw earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) up 32.5 per cent to $ 257 million.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortisation and rentals (Ebitdar) were up 16.2 per cent to $ 1.1 billion, representing a 15 per cent margin on total revenues.

James Hogan, president and chief executive officer of Etihad Airways, said: “Our focus is on sustainable profitability and our fourth year of net profits, at a time when we continue to invest in the new routes, new aircraft, new product and new infrastructure needed to compete effectively, shows we are serious about that goal.”

The chief executive said: “Our performance in 2014 has cemented Etihad Airways’ position as a best-in-class, profitable and self-sustaining international airline.”

He said: “We have continued to grow, not just in size, reputation and performance, but also in maturity, evolving from an airline to a diverse global aviation and tourism group. This has been achieved through a unique strategy that combines industry-leading organic growth with wide-ranging partnerships and minority equity investments in other airlines around the world.”

On the issues raised by the European and US airlines on so-called subsidies, Hogan said his airlines is currently faced with unprecedented external challenges.

Of particular concern has been the rise in aggressive protectionist sentiment in Europe and the US, where both Etihad Airways and its partner airlines are being targeted, he said.

Hogan said: “These attempts to limit competition are detrimental to consumer choice. They threaten to damage the significant progress that our airline has made in offering improved travel connections, product and service standards, and value for money.”

“Despite these hurdles, Etihad Airways will continue to grow as planned in 2015, working with our equity and codeshare partners around the world to serve the destinations that our guests want to visit and at the times they want to travel.”

Saj Ahmed chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research, said Etihad’s continued profitability underlines its strength in its dual organic and inorganic growth strategy by using its Abu Dhabi hub to pull in passengers.

He said with a sharp rise in revenues, Etihad’s has been able to expand its international footprint through its equity partners which has driven profit, passenger numbers and load factors.

Saj Ahmed said the challenge to keep consistent growth comes not from the lack of airplanes, but the potential to be thwarted in new airport access, especially in light of complaints by US airlines about GCC airline expansion.

Completion of the Midfield Terminal in the summer of 2017 will be the key to unlocking Etihad’s future growth. That said, the robust growth here aptly demonstrates the vibrancy and maturity of the GCC market and the demand pull that Arab airlines like Etihad create — especially for higher yielding traffic, the aviation expert said.

Last year, the airline received approval for its 49 per cent investment in Air Serbia. It also invested €560 million to acquire a 49 per cent shareholding in New Alitalia, a 75 per cent interest in Alitalia Loyalty, which operates the MilleMiglia frequent flier programme, and the future purchase of five pairs of London Heathrow Airport slots for lease back to Alitalia.

Home Page - Gulf in the Media

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Here's why Qatar Airways was just named the best airline in the world​

SOPHIE-CLAIRE HOELLER

JUN. 18, 2015, 4:22 PM

Qatar Airways was just named the Best Airline in the World for 2015 by leading aviation-consumer website Skytrax.

The Gulf-based carrier also took home gold for best airline in the Middle East and best business-class seat.

The awards are based on votes by 18.9 million passengers across 110 countries, who judge airlines on everything from food to friendliness.

While Qatar has been making a name for itself with its epic Boeing 787 Dreamliner and its incredible first class amenities, it offers an awesome in-flight experience from the front of the plane all the way to the back.

Flickr/Prasad Pillai

In business and first class, passengers get fresh flowers, chandeliers, sumptuous leather seats, top-shelf liquor, and canapés.

The first-class lounge has leather benches that are a welcome break on long flights.

Flickr/Gary Bembridge
There's also plenty of room to stretch out.

Flickr/Gary Bembridge
The first-class cabin on the A380 is pretty swanky. The seats are ultrawide, and there are dividers between them so that you can shut out chatty neighbors. Or, conversely, you can extend the table to have dinner a deux.

Flickr /Qatar Airways
First-class seats can be flattened into actual beds, so it's easy to sleep. And pajamas and slippers are complimentary.

AP

Business class isn't so shabby either.

Flickr/chris Hoare

Business-class seats look like cozy little pods.

Flickr / Qatar Airways
Read more: Why Skytrax named Qatar Airways the best airline of 2015 - Business Insider

@azzo @Frosty @Full Moon @BLACKEAGLE @Halimi @Ahmed Jo @JUBA etc.

This is how an airline is supposed to conduct themselves!

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Continued

If you're thinking these look like bucket seats, you're not wrong. Qatar claims to have been inspired by the automotive industry when designing the seats.

flickr/SUPERADRIANME
Some business-class seats are extra wide and feature a 180-degree lie-flat bed.

Flickr/SUPERADRIANME

A clever little storage area holds amenity kits.

Flickr/Gary Bembridge
Of course it's a Giorgio Armani amenity kit, which comes with designer pjs, perfume, sleep masks, earplugs, lotions, and lip balm.

Kits vary for first- and business-class passengers.

Watching a movie on a plane will never be like a trip to the cinema, but these screens are pretty massive.

Flickr/Gary Bembridge
Some bathrooms have leather trim and wood accents.

Flickr/Gary Bembridge

Qatar's first- and business-class menu was created in collaboration with two celebrity chefs, Nobu Matsuhisa and Vineet Bhatia. Of course it's delicious.

Flickr/Chotda
Read more: Why Skytrax named Qatar Airways the best airline of 2015 - Business Insider

 

[Saif al-Arab]

Continued

Our guess is Nobu had something to do with this sashimi dish.

Flickr/Sarah Ackerman
Celebrity-chef created or not, this tomato bisque with crayfish and coconut looks delicious.

Flickr/Chotda
Breakfast is simple, but delectable. They know what they're doing since eating healthy helps with jet lag.

Flickr/Chotda
Economy class is also excellent.

Flickr/SUPERADRIANME
Economy seats feature extra cushy headrests.

Flickr/SUPERADRIANME
There are over 2,000 different entertainment options, from TV shows to movies and video games.

Flickr/SUPERADRIANME
Access them with this controller.

Flickr/JaulaDeArdilla
Every seat in economy has a power outlet, USB plug, and even a personal phone that lets you send and receive text messages during your flight.

Flickr/SUPERADRIANME
Read more: Why Skytrax named Qatar Airways the best airline of 2015 - Business Insider

The two remaining photos can be found in the link above.