Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways has announced capacity increases to an array of destinations across its global network to be phased in from March 1. Growing passenger demand and additional aircraft joining the fleet have prompted the capacity hike, part of the Doha-based airline's aggressive expansion strategy to offer consumers more choice.
Expansion highlights include three additional weekly flights to Kuala Lumpur making it a double daily operation and two extra services deployed to the Tanzanian capital Dar Es Salaam, also taking frequency up to twice a day. The daily Bangalore services to southern India will be upgraded from a narrow-body Airbus A320 aircraft to a wide-body A330, marking the first anniversary of the route's launch. Flights in the Gulf will increase with three extra weekly services to the Omani capital Muscat with capacity rising to 24 flights each week. In Europe, where Qatar Airways is concentrating much of its expansion over the next two months with new route launches to Bucharest, Budapest, Brussels and Stuttgart, the airline has also earmarked a number of capacity increases to and from existing destinations in its network. The double daily Paris route will rise to 16 weekly services with an extra two flights a week, while Geneva capacity will increase to daily following the introduction of two new weekly flights. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker said: "Qatar Airways is looking to deploy the new capacity on existing routes while, at the same time, launch new routes."
SIA
Singapore Airlines has confirmed achieving a growth rate of six percent during the second half of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. The growth is related to passenger traffic from Saudi Arabia to Singapore and other destinations in several Asian countries including Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta. This reflects the fact that the Kingdom's aviation sector is among the best and least affected by the global economic crisis, which impacted the aviation sector in many countries. SIA began its operations to the Kingdom in 1979 from Dhahran Airport. In 1996, it started from Jeddah and added Riyadh to its network in 2008. SIA is currently working on operating four flights per week from Jeddah, and also from Riyadh. The airline, which has received a number of awards including the Airline of the Year, carried 21,000 passengers during the second half of 2010, and has become the carrier of choice for travelers in Business Class and First Class. Additionally 3,000 passengers have been arriving or transiting through Singapore during the holiday and summer breaks for Saudi schools, Vinod Kannan, SIA's Jeddah-based GM for Saudi Arabia and the Middle East, said. "The Kingdom's aviation sector remained positive all through the world economic downturn. Saudi airports continue to develop and growth in Saudi Arabia, which is indicated by the plan to establish a new King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, with a new way to fund the project costing more than SR 27 billion.
Gulf Air
Gulf Air, the national carrier of Bahrain, has added Addis Ababa to its growing network with the launch of non-stop scheduled flights to the Ethiopian capital. According to Gulf Air's CEO Samer Majali, Addis Ababa is the carrier's second route during the first month of the year, following the commencement of service to Isfahan in Iran. The historic city of Addis Ababa expands Gulf Air's global network to 47 global destinations covering Europe, Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Asia. Meanwhile, premium class passengers onboard Gulf Air now have loads of entertainment on their laps. It has introduced a new portable in-flight entertainment solution supplied by digEcor, Inc. USA, a leading onboard digital entertainment solutions supplier. "We have embarked on a complete overhaul of our onboard products and services offering to our customers," said Majali. "The portable entertainment solution from digEcor is just the beginning of a major revamp of our total onboard entertainment and business support services that we will start introducing across our fleet from early next year. Our Falcon Gold premium customers now have thousands of options at their fingertips that will keep them occupied and entertained throughout their journey." Brad Heckel, president of digEcor, said: "Our content services, demonstrated by the variety of content in multiple languages that we are providing to Gulf Air, and flexible commercial options have helped solidify digEcor as the vendor of choice."
ROYAL JET
Royal Jet's business in the Saudi market has recorded an increase of 15 percent in 2010 due to its continuing strong partnership with Saudi-based ARABASCO, a Fixed Based Operations (FBO) and maintenance facility provider in the Kingdom. With its "highly successful" commercial and operational alliance with ARABASCO now in its second year, the Abu Dhabi-based international flight services company operates at the company's key hubs in Riyadh and Jeddah. In order to meet and better serve the demands of its fast-growing business in the Kingdom, Royal Jet also has plans to add more aircraft into the market this year. "Royal Jet remains on an upward growth path while all the time remaining committed to introducing new initiatives which add value to our guests across Saudi Arabia," said Royal Jet's President and CEO Shane O'Hare. "Our agreement leverages our extensive, combined experience and expertise in luxury private jet travel, to address the Kingdom's regional and global executive travel needs," O'Hare added. From its private terminals in the Kingdom, Arabasco and Royal Jet offer private jet charter for domestic and international travel from Saudi Arabia to London, Moscow, Bangkok, as well as other business and leisure hubs. "We are confident that our ongoing partnership with ARABASCO will continue to meet the needs of this fast growing market by providing executives and families with a superior private jet service," said Monther Al Humyanee, Royal Jet's regional sales director, Saudi Arabia.
ETIHAD AIRWAYS
Etihad Airways, the national airline of the UAE, has welcomed the announcement by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) granting authorization for an alliance between Etihad and the Virgin Blue Group of Airlines for five years. The authorization gives a green light for the airlines to cooperate on joint pricing and scheduling of services across their respective networks. This means that Etihad Airways and the Virgin Blue Group will offer their customers a new combined global network of more than 100 destinations worldwide. James Hogan, Etihad Airways' CEO, said: "Today's announcement by the ACCC to grant authorization of Etihad's alliance with the Virgin Blue Group for a period of five years is fantastic news for both airlines and for our customers, and is a positive step toward growing our already strong position in the Australian market. The alliance will contribute to growing Etihad's share of the Australian corporate and leisure markets and increase our appeal as the airline of choice for travelers to Australia and the South Pacific from the Middle East, Europe and the UK. The alliance means that from Feb. 24, Virgin Blue's international arm, V Australia, will commence direct services to Abu Dhabi, moving toward a combined total of 27 weekly services between Abu Dhabi and Australia. These services include double-daily flights between Abu Dhabi and Sydney, daily between Abu Dhabi and Melbourne, and six frequencies per week between Abu Dhabi and Brisbane.
ATLANTIS, THE PALM
Atlantis, The Palm, an entertainment resort destination in the Middle East, has announced special rates and activities to cater for Saudi visitors during the mid-term holidays till Feb. 18, including exclusive women-only sessions at Dolphin Bay and Splashers play area at Aquaventure, in addition to other activities in key attractions at the resort. Saudi visitors make up 46.6 percent of total GCC visitors to Dubai, making them the largest number of Arab visitors to the Emirate. In the first three quarters of 2010, about 384,730 Saudi visitors visited Dubai, according to the Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing. "Atlantis, The Palm respects the culture of Arab visitors, and this has led us to create bespoke programs that will enable Arab families to enjoy a memorable experience at Atlantis, The Palm," said Serge Zaalof, COO, Atlantis, The Palm. Each of the 1,539 guestrooms and suites at the Royal Towers provide private balconies and views over The Palm or Arabian Gulf. Guests may choose from a variety of accommodation including the Imperial Club, a 'resort within a resort' with over 150 rooms and suites, exclusive services and private club lounge, Bridge Suite, spanning the Royal Towers, a private lift takes guests 22 stories above Atlantis for heart-stopping views of The Palm, Dubai and the Arabian Gulf and Lost Chambers Suites. The two suites located within The Lost Chambers create an illusion of being beneath the sea while looking directly into the heart of Atlantis.
ALJOMAIH
Aljomaih Automotive Company, dealer of Chevrolet and GMC cars in Saudi Arabia and the "biggest dealer" for General Motors in the Middle East, organized its annual gathering in Riyadh recently. Prince Bandar bin Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, honorary President of Reem International Circuit, and Prince Sultan bin Bandar bin Faisal bin Abdul Aziz, and Hamad bin Abdul Aziz Aljomaih were among those present. The gathering this year followed the first annual event held last year. Such gatherings provide a good opportunity for the company to honor its clients in recognition of their loyalty to the company, and to strengthen its relationship with them. The gathering was full of fun and excitement that created a wonderful family atmosphere. The festival was divided into three sections - Section one, test-driving of fast cars such Camaro and the recently launched two Cadillac models (CTS coupe - CTS-V), the second section was devoted for test-driving family and sedan cars like Chevrolet Cruze and Malibu, and the third section was set for test-driving of 4X4 vehicles like Tahoe and Traverse. At the event, the company as well introduced, for the first time in Saudi Arabia, the new model of the practical car Chevrolet Spark 2011. David Matta, GM of Riyadh branch and prime brands at Aljomaih Automotive Company, stressed the importance of such meetings which represent great recognition of the company to its clients, as well as to grant them the opportunity to enjoy the company's new sport, family and 4X4 cars at Reem International Circuit.
MOBIL 1
Champion of Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge and Red Bull champion, Prince Abdul Aziz bin Turki Alfaisal, visited the Mobil 1 stand at the recent Jeddah Motor Show. The prince met many visitors of the show who took memorial photos with him. He also signed his championship photographs and presented them to his fans who gathered around him at the Mobil 1 stand. He also met senior managers of APSCO including Ahmed Alramly, marketing GM at APSCO, who briefed the prince about Mobil oils produced by APSCO, including the world's leading synthetic oil "Mobil 1" and its new blend "New Life." The prince spoke about his program for this season and the most important championships that he will be taking part. "Mobil 1" provides support and assistance to the prince in his drive to win the Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge Middle East Championship, where he won the title last season. He is well prepared to defend his title this season as he is already dominating the championship in its 4th round. Mobil 1 oil is the most important supporter to car races around the world, they provide logistic support to many racing teams who achieved international championships such as F1 races and Porsche GT3 Cup Challenge.
CADILLAC
Cadillac will offer this spring a Black Diamond Edition of the high-performance CTS-V that comes with a host of performance options and exclusive tri-coat paint, called "Black Diamond." The Black Diamond Edition, available in the CTS-V Sedan and CTS-V Coupe models, will be the first use by an automaker of JDSU's proprietary SpectraFlair pigment in North America. JDSU, a Milipitas, California-based optical technology firm, specializes in cutting-edge color solutions for a wide range of markets. Its pigments are used in certain DuPont paints supplied to Cadillac. The CTS-V Black Diamond will arrive in local dealerships in the second quarter of 2011, and customers can pre-book the vehicle at any Cadillac dealer.
In the CTS-V Black Diamond, a dark tri-coat paint is embedded with SpectraFlair Bright Silver pigment. While other luxury makers offer metallic paints, Black Diamond is created through a meticulous process that gives the paint added dimension. Instead of simply containing small bits of metal, the SpectraFlair pigment in Black Diamond uses aluminum flakes encapsulated in a glass-like substance called magnesium fluoride. The result is a paint that has a diamond-like sparkle as light hits the surface from different angles. "The CTS-V Black Diamond Edition is like a finely crafted, tailored tuxedo," said Michelle Killen, Cadillac exterior paint designer. "The base color may be a simple black, but the details and richness of the material set it apart."
AUJAN INDUSTRIES
Following a thorough review and evaluation process which started last November, Aujan Industries has awarded its media planning & buying account to Mindshare for the coming three years. The account for which five leading media agencies in the region were bidding for comprises of online and offline media planning and buying and will cover Aujan Industries' Powerhouse brands namely Barbican, Vimto and Rani across GCC, Levant, North Africa, Iraq, and Iran. Commenting on the win, Kadir Gunduz, President and CEO of Aujan Industries, said: "We adopted a very transparent process for the pitch with clearly identified selection criteria. The submissions were of top quality and very competitive, which made it hard to make the call, but a decision had to be taken based on overall parameters. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the media agencies who took part in this process for their hard work, passion, and dedication; and wish to congratulate Mindshare for the win". Samir Ayoub, CEO of Mindshare in the MENA region, said: "We are delighted to win Aujan Industries media business within our group; we are passionate about their brands and committed to contribute to the continuous success of Aujan Industries business" Aujan Industries - established in 1905- is the largest privately owned, independent soft drink company in the Middle East. It has more than 2,500 employees and a turnover of over $800 million and ranked amongst the top 100 companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
Mindshare MENA has over 260 employees operating in 16 offices across 10 countries. Mindshare team are very well aware of what's happening in the region and have extensive and wealthy expertise to deliver innovation, creativity and superior results for their business partners and their stakeholders.
