JEDDAH, 24 March 2007 — Lufthansa airline has announced its fourth frequency out of Bahrain effective March 31. Together with Bahrain and Dammam, the airline will have daily flights to Europe and beyond. Also, with the refurbishment of Swiss International Airline’s entire European Airbus fleet now complete, its passengers can look forward to maximum seating comfort and space in business class, as the middle seat is kept free on all versions of the aircraft. A general upgrade of the Avro RJ 100 cabin interior is now under way. These aircraft are being given new leather-covered seats and a more spacious five-abreast configuration for greater inflight comfort. The refit of the entire Avro fleet is scheduled for completion by the end of February 2008. The issuance of preliminary boarding pass from its town office in Riyadh and Jeddah is mandatory. Lufthansa is showcasing a new Senator and new Business Lounge at Berlin-Tegel Airport.
Arabesk Meeting Aims to Boost Carriers Ties
BAHRAIN, 24 March 2007 — Gulf Air recently hosted a meeting of several Arab carriers to discuss ways and means to strengthen ties and expand cooperation to serve their common interests. The airlines represented in the meeting included Saudi Arabian Airlines, Yemenia, Middle East Airlines, Egypt Air, Royal Jordanian and Tunis Air. “We are delighted to have hosted such a prominent gathering, which is rapidly growing and expanding to include more airlines from the Arab world,” says Gulf Air Vice President Network Fareed Al- Alawi. The third Arabesk executive board meeting, chaired by Al-Alawi, was termed ‘extremely fruitful’ as representatives agreed to enter into network alliances with code sharing opportunities. They also agreed to expand their cooperation in various other fields, says Gulf Air Head of International Relations and Alliances Radhi Abdulla Yousif. The next quarterly meeting will take place in Sanaa.
Saudia, Gulf Air Sign Code Share Deal
JEDDAH, 24 March 2007 — Saudi Arabian Airlines and Gulf Air have agreed to further strengthen and expand their code share alliance. The two airlines last week added new services between Riyadh and Katmandu via Bahrain International Airport, making the code share alliance the largest between any two carriers in the Middle East. “This expansion bears testimony to our unique cooperation, which we firmly believe will bring further commercial value to the two Arab carriers,” said Gulf Air Vice President Network Fareed Al-Alawi. The two carriers will have 41 flights a week per direction operated together with the addition of the new Riyadh-Bahrain-Katmandu services. “I am confident this expansion of the code share relationship will also prove successful like it is on all our other routes of cooperation,” says Dr. Ayed Alamri, general manager, bilateral and commercial agreements, Saudi Arabian Airlines.
Lallo Opens Restaurant in Jeddah
JEDDAH, 24 March 2007 — The Lallo restaurant chain has embarked on a plan to expand its network of outlets covering Riyadh, Jeddah and the Eastern Province. The latest to open is the fifth in the chain and occupies a prime position at the Tola Mall, Tahlia Street, in Jeddah. The expansion plan also includes opening restaurants throughout the region. “It’s no secret that Saudis love Italian food and Lallo offers the best of Italian cuisine,” said Fahad Y. Zahid, general manager of DELICO. “The rapid growth of our chain is testimony to that statement and it is all the more remarkable because we are a locally grown company that has mastered the art of Italian cuisine to perfection. In fact, we make our own pasta in Jeddah and market our products to fine hotels and restaurants throughout the Jeddah area. “ Lallo restaurants employ well-skilled and competent chefs headed by Master Chef Alaa, who has more than 25 years of experience.
