The onboard Duty Free program of Qatar Airways has earned industry recognition by scooping the Inflight Retailer of the Year 2011 award at a leading industry event on the French Riviera. The Frontier Awards, held each year in Cannes, is the most anticipated event in the travel retail and duty free calendar, attended by leading duty free operators, retail brands and aviation executives from around the world. Qatar Airways Inflight Duty Free beat stiff competition from around the world to clinch top honors. The selection process involved a panel of six top executives who collectively boast a wealth of experience in the global duty free business. Product selection, presentation, merchandising, customer service, crew training, promotional activities, overall look and feel of the inflight duty free program and the onboard retail magazine were key factors taken into account during the decision-making process. The judges also looked for innovation and excellence before reaching their decision in naming Qatar Airways as best in the business. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al-Baker said the award was in recognition of the sheer dedication of staff at Qatar Airways Inflight Duty Free in making the onboard retail operation a huge success. “We are providing passengers with an excellent shopping experience onboard.”
 

Zain Bahrain has participated in the Career Expo 2011, which targeted Bahraini jobseekers with higher education and vocational qualifications. Zain Bahrain has a very successful track record of tapping Bahraini skills to build its business. The Zain Bahrain stand accepted applications for vacancies and its FUN team, which mentors young university undergraduates with real-life workplace experience, was present to provide opportunities to more such young dynamic youth. “We have been actively involved in the community in providing ample learning opportunities to freshers about the industry and with our participation in this year’s career expo, we aimed at reaching a wider section of the youth who are still studying and looking for an opening. We also wanted to encourage more and more talented Bahrainis to come forward and explore their potential. Zain Bahrain has one of the highest Bahrainization levels in the telecoms industry in the country at more than 91 percent,” said Zain Bahrain’s FUN manager, Mohammed Isa. Career Expo 2011 was held at applied science university last weekend.
 

Oman Air’s luxurious lounges at Muscat International Airport have just been awarded ISO certification, following an audit by Intertek Semco Certification AB. The First Class and Business Class lounges, which were unveiled earlier this year, have been awarded the ISO 9001:2008 certificate. Oman Air’s Chief Officer Hotels and Catering Richard Hodges said: “Every aspect of both our First Class and Business Class lounges has been designed to deliver the ultimate in hospitality for our guests and we have developed management systems, which aim to deliver consistently high standards throughout our operation.” He added: “The hospitality that we offer at our lounges is an important element of the seamless Oman Air passenger experience and we look forward to building further on this important recognition.” The audit which preceded ISO 9001:2008 certification examined every aspect of Oman Air’s airport lounge management systems, ensuring that they are robust, adaptable and applicable to all areas of the lounges’ operations. “Oman Air is a luxury carrier and quality lies at the heart of everything we do,” he said.
 

Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, which is committed to bringing the most advanced medical technology to maintain the quality services offered to the patients, has installed the Innova 3100 equipment. Manufactured by GE, Innova 3100 uses flat-panel detector technology, which lets physicians see the vessels and anatomy of the heart, as well as the finest vessels, without having to use an image intensifier. The Innova 3100 is a first-of-its-kind imaging system optimized to perform both cardiac and peripheral studies in a single lab. It has better flexibility because it has the ability to move the imaging around the patient. It has the ability to demonstrate certain anatomy much more accurately and easier than with the old system. Also, it allows us to be a lot more efficient. Previously, we’d have to switch rooms or machines. We can do it all in the same place these advantages eliminate the stress and inconvenience of having to undergo multiple procedures. These minimally invasive procedures reduce risk, lessen pain and shorten recovery times,” said Professor Sulaiman Al-Majed, VP medical affairs. The remarkable utility of GE’s Innova 3100 allows our physicians to diagnose and treat cardiovascular patients who have a wide range of conditions, all on one system,” said Al-Majed.