JEDDAH: Jet Airways, India’s premier international airline, celebrated a ‘green’ 17th anniversary with a tree plantation drive participated by employees representing various departments of the airline. More than 100 employees from all the various departments across the airline from in-flight services and finance to flight operations and cargo, planted 25 saplings, in the presence of senior company officials, to mark the occasion at its new upcoming head office in Bandra, Mumbai.
BAHRAIN: Qatar Airways has made its presence felt at this year’s Bahrain International Travel Expo (BITE) as gold sponsor of the annual event. The sixth edition of the regional travel show took place with the support of Bahraini Minister of Culture and Information Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, minister of culture and information of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The three-day show attracted thousands of visitors to Bahrain’s capital of Manama. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker reinforced the airline’s long-term commitment to growth with continued investment in new aircraft, new routes and improving airport infrastructure ahead of next year’s opening of the New Doha International Airport. The award-winning airline has so far launched four new routes from its Doha hub this year — Bangalore, Copenhagen, Ankara and Tokyo — with a further three, Barcelona, Sao Paulo and Buenos Aires, set to begin next month.
RIYADH: Air Arabia, described as the first and largest low-cost carrier in the Middle East and North Africa, says that its “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure” is progressing steadily. As part of the campaign, Air Arabia, BMI Bank and Audi Bahrain will sponsor Air Arabia pilot and Olympic sailor Sami Al-Kooheji to compete in the 2010 Asian Games in November. Despite being off the international sailing circuit for six years, 26-year-old Al-Kooheji has achieved top results since embarking on the adventure in February, at the “Sail the Gulf” championship in Doha. In March, he was named “Number One Sailor in the GCC” after taking home top honors at the GCC Cup in Abu Dhabi. This was followed by a three-race win at the Agrekko Laser League Races in Dubai in April. Running in tandem with the “2010 Air Arabia Sailing Adventure” is the “Think Pink” campaign that promotes breast cancer awareness in the GCC, for which Al-Kooheji will also be acting as an ambassador. Air Arabia’s initial involvement in sailing began in 2007, when it sponsored Al-Kooheji. He competed in the 2004 Olympic Games and took part in the “2007 Air Arabia World Endurance Challenge,” an unprecedented 550-kilometer non-stop solo voyage in a small Laser sailboat from Bahrain to Dubai. It is here he achieved a new world record.
RIYADH: nasair and Al-Dhuha Modern Co. for Haj and Umrah have signed a deal. With this, nasair becomes the official carrier for its Haj and Umrah pilgrims. Mohammed Jameel Shaarawi Al-Dhuha, chairman, of Al-Dhuha Modern Co. and Ahmed Sultan, nasair director, signed the agreement. Sultan said: “It becomes the responsibility of the carrier to transport the pilgrims by air from their embarkation points in their countries to Jeddah and the holy cities in a safe and secure manner.” The carrier operates to 30 national and international destinations.”
