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Category: News

  • New hotel manager appointments at Madinat Jumeirah

    Azar Saliba have been appointed Hotel Manager of Jumeirah’s Al Qasr and Dar Al Masyaf hotels. The Lebanese national has over 18 years of expertise within the hospitality industry, and seven years with the Jumeirah Group within the UAE. Before this appointment he worked as hotel manager for Mina A’Salam, where his passion for facing guests and co-workers was quickly recognised. Saliba takes time to forge relationships with clients and improve customer satisfaction, in addition to developing the commitment of team members to the delivery of “Stay Different” experiences during the Arabian resort. He’s one of many youngest hotel managers throughout the group today.

    Gisele Clark was appointed Hotel Manager of Mina A’Salam. Previous to joining the Jumeirah Group in 2010, she worked for well-known groups equivalent to Firmdale Hotels and Thistle Hotels in London, The Swiss Grand Hotel in Australia, and Marriott. Clark brings together with her an outstanding 22 years of expertise spanning 8 countries. During the last 3 years as General Manager – Operations Support, she provided key support to Jumeirah’s properties within the Maldives, Azerbaijan, and Istanbul during their pre-opening phase, in addition to to new openings worldwide. In her role as interim General Manager for Jumeirah Maldives during 2012, Clark inspired teams to deliver Jumeirah’s hallmarks, and developed culturally connected experiences that gave back to the local people.

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  • News: Etihad Rail secures US$1.28bn funding package

    Etihad Rail has announced it has secured financing of US$1.28 billion for Stage One in all its railway project, which comprises the route from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais.

    Commenting at the completion of financing for the primary stage of the project, H.E. Nasser Alsowaidi, chairman of Etihad Rail said: “The securing of this loan not just represents the start of a brand new era for the UAE in trade and travel through a transportation network with the intention to connect all seven emirates with our GCC partners, but additionally reflects the international financial community’s confidence in Etihad Rail and the numerous potential of the UAE’s national railway.”

    The five-year loan could be financed on a club deal basis by National Bank of Abu Dhabi PJSC, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ, Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank and HSBC Bank Middle East Limited, with NBAD acting as both the power and security agent of the loan.

    Initial financing plans for the primary stage of the project were originally approved by the United Arab Emirates’ Federal Cabinet in early 2012, and similarly authorised by the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.

    Commenting on behalf of Etihad Rail, Nasser Saif Al Mansoori, chief executive of Etihad Rail said: “This loan is a further indicator of the numerous progress being made at Etihad Rail.

    “With the new arrival of our wagons, the considerable headway being made in construction on Stage One, and as we glance forward to the advent of our locomotives later this quarter, Etihad Rail is on schedule to seeing the primary train run from Habshan to Ruwais by the tip of this year.

    “We sit up for working with our banking partners as we develop this landmark project for the UAE, and appreciate the efforts of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company and the substantial role the corporate played in helping to secure this loan.”

    Stage Among the Etihad Rail network will extend 264 km from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais, facilitating a contemporary, safe, efficient and environmentally friendly means to move ADNOC ‘s shipments of granulated sulphur for export on the port of Ruwais.

    Etihad Rail received its first shipment of wagons for Stage One in December last year, and can receive its first shipment of locomotives this quarter, while construction works at the route are well underway.

    Upon completion, the UAE’s national railway network will span approximately 1,200 km around the Emirates, boosting economic growth by connecting key centres of industry and population, and sustaining trade and social development.

    The Etihad Rail network can even form an essential component of the GCC railway network.

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  • News: Air Lease Corporation places $3.2bn Boeing order

    Boeing and Air Lease Corporation have announced an order today for ten 777-300ERs (extended range) airplanes.

    The order, worth $3.2 billion at current list prices, adds to the growing portfolio of long-haul airplanes for the l. a.-based leasing company.

    “This order for 777-300ERs might actually help us meet the growing airline demand for long-haul passenger airplanes,” said John Plueger, president and chief operating officer of Air Lease Corporation.

    “These 777-300ERs will enable our customers to grow and modernise their fleets.

    “The 777 offers our clients probably the most economical, fuel-efficient and flexible airplane within the 300-400 seat range, suitable for a whole lot of profitable missions.”

    ALC has ordered 185 airplanes from Boeing including 78 Next-Generation 737s, 80 737 MAXs, 12 787 Dreamliners and 15 777-300ERs.

    The leasing company also has reconfirmation rights on 20 additional 737 MAX airplanes.

    “Air Lease Corporation has established itself as a pacesetter within the leasing industry by assembling a various fleet of recent, economical and fuel efficient airplanes,” said John Wojick, senior vp of world sales for Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

    “With the 777-300ER order, ALC continues to illustrate confidence within the airplane and the price it provides to its customers.”

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  • News: oneworld members elected to hitch Global Explorer

    oneworld members elect Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines are to take part within the Global Explorer round-the-world fare offered by all of the alliance’s members and selected other carriers.

    The move represents a primary step by both airlines towards their implementation into oneworld, that’s on target for the year ahead – once they will start participating within the full range of the alliance’s fares and offering all its other services and benefits. 

    Their oneworld joining dates may be announced in the end, the organisation said in an announcement.

    Meantime, Qatar Airways’ entire global network, covering 125 destinations in 71 countries worldwide from its Doha hub, and SriLankan’s entire global schedule serving 32 airports in 22 countries will both now feature as portion of Global Explorer, that is probably the most popular round-the-world fares available.

    The Gulf carrier adds four countries to the map served by Global Explorer – Iran, Mozambique, Rwanda and the Seychelles – and 17 more destinations around the Indian sub-continent, the center East and Africa, including India’s Amritsar, Goa and Kochi and Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro. 

    It also significantly expands the routing alternatives available through Global Explorer, by adding direct connections between hundreds of city pairs, chiefly between Asia and Africa or southern Europe.

    SriLankan connects one destination to the worldwide Explorer map, India’s Tiruchchirappalli, while also adding more routing options, mainly in South Asia, where it’s not only the flag carrier of Sri Lanka but additionally the leading international airline serving the Maldives and likewise has an important presence in Southern India.

    As Qatar Airways and SriLankan Airlines start participating in Global Explorer, Gulf Air withdraws its participation.

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  • Vivanta by Taj to open in Gurgaon

    Vivanta by Taj will see its rapidly-growing portfolio increase further with the outlet of the Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, March 7th 2013.

    The hotel is strategically located in a single of India’s largest business hubs, Gurgaon, the booming industrial and fiscal centre of the Haryana state, just 30 kilometres south of recent Delhi.

    Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, that’s just a 15-minute drive from the brand new Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport, will offer luxury services customised for business travellers, high-end meeting and incentive groups in addition to leisure travellers in search of luxe-accommodation near the airport.

    The new Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, NCR have been designed to showcase Singapore-based architecture firm Warner Wong Design | WOW Architects, which has brought staggeringly innovative and design-led accommodation to at least one of India’s fastest growing districts.

    The hotel could have 189 rooms with city and pool views, 18 Suites, one Presidential Suite and an Executive Lounge.

    With 10,000 sq ft of slick conferencing facilities and entirely-equipped banquet halls, Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, NCR can play host to high-end business meetings and conferences.

    Food and beverage outlets include Tease, a buzzing cocktail bar, Latitude, a 24/7 international restaurant, and a deli that will tantalise guests’ taste buds with a mixture of local and international cuisine.

    The famous Thai Pavilion, serving sumptuous South Asian cuisine, will make its debut in India at Vivanta by Taj – Gurgaon, NCR.

    The hotel is conveniently situated near the DLF world class golf course and shopping malls aplenty.

    Guests can spend time on the hotel’s Jiva Spa, home to signature treatments combining ancient Indian techniques with contemporary therapies.

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