The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Emirates

  • Emirates boosts summer travel at Dubai Airport

    Emirates Airlines is offering Nigerian passengers refreshing summer travel season at the Dubai International Airport.

    The airline will be serving complimentary ice cream to passengers travelling from and through Terminal 3 departure of the airport and transit areas from last Friday to  August 31.

    The ice cream, branded Emperor, is made in-house by Emirates Flight Catering (EKFC) and the airline expects to serve two million cups of ice cream to its customers over the next three months.

    According to the airline, passengers can look out for Emirates branded ice cream carts placed throughout the departure and transit areas of Terminal 3.

    The airline in a statement said passengers could choose their desired ice cream flavour.

    Emirates said it invests to provide an unmatched travel experience.

    It said: “ This simple but cool initiative is a reflection of its commitment to delighting customers. Emirates’ popular Emperor ice-cream is currently also served in premium classes on select flights to Europe and the UK, and in the seven Emirates lounges at Dubai International Airport.

    “Emirates’ hub in Dubai provides direct connections to over 150 cities across its six-continent network including its latest destinations this summer – London Stansted and Santiago, Chile. The airline offers excellent onboard service, regionally inspired meals and complimentary drinks including a recently refreshed spirits menu. Emirates provides quality products and value for money with lie-flat beds in Business Class, the largest in-seat screens in the world in Economy class at 13.3 inches and up to 3,500 channels of on-demand entertainment on ice, its award-winning inflight entertainment system.

  • Arsenal pens £200m shirt sponsorship deal

    Arsenal pens £200m shirt sponsorship deal

     

    Arsenal have announced a five-year £200million extension to their contract with shirt sponsors Emirates in a deal described as the largest in the club’s history.

    Emirates, who also own the naming rights to the stadium, will continue to sponsor Arsenal’s shirts and training kit until the end of the 2023-24 season.

    The contract is worth £40m a year and continues Arsenal’s partnership with the Dubai-based company which began when the Gunners moved from Highbury to the new ground in 2006.

    The deal continues the longest-running sponsorship partnership in the Premier League and Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis told the club’s website it will provide the investment required for them continue to compete for silverware.

    ‘Our shirt partnership is the longest running in the Premier League and one of the longest relationships in world sport,’ said Gazidis. ‘This mutual commitment is testimony to the strength and depth of our unique relationship.

    ‘Emirates are again demonstrating their great belief in our approach and ambition and their significantly increased

    investment will help us continue to compete for trophies and bring more success to the club and our fans around the world.’

    Arsenal have been searching for a new shirt sponsorship deal since June 2017 amid suggestions that Emirates were only interested in maintaining their naming rights on the stadium.

    The Gunners were thought to have been interested in separating their kit deal from the stadium deal to maximise revenue but later hit out at suggestions they would end their shirt sponsorship agreement.

    And Arsenal have now struck a renewed deal with Emirates, who also sponsor Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Benfica, Olympiacos and Hamburg shirts

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Emirates: Why passenger, 71, was restrained on our flight

    Emirates: Why passenger, 71, was restrained on our flight

    Emirates Airline has explained why a 71-year-old passenger, David Ukesone, was restrained on its flight from Dubai to Chicago.

    The airline said Ukesone forced his way into another passengers’s seat.

    The airline, in a statement yesterday, said : “Emirates can confirm that Mr Ukesone was a passenger on flight EK235 from Dubai to Chicago on 23 January, and that he had to be restrained by cabin crew due to unruly behaviour during the flight.

    “Despite the best efforts of our crew to intervene and reason with him, Mr. Ukesone repeatedly disturbed other passengers, refused to remain in his assigned seat, and forced his way into another cabin class.

    “He also assaulted crew and bit another passenger. As a consequence he was restrained by our crew. Our cabin crew are highly trained to ensure the safety and security of our passengers, and constantly monitored Mr. Ukesone’s welfare throughout the flight. The safety and security of our passengers and crew is of the utmost importance and will not be compromised.

    “Upon arrival at the airport, the passenger was handed over to the authorities in Chicago. We would like to take this opportunity to thank the other passengers on the flight for their understanding, in particular the individuals who had assisted our crew during the flight.”

  • Emirates unveils winter programme

    Emirates Airlines said it is extending its popular My Emirates Pass programme to Nigerian passengers visiting Dubai this winter season.

    According to the airline, Nigerians traveling to Dubai between January and March, will get exclusive offers and discounts across the city simply  by turning the Emirates boarding pass into an exclusive membership card.

    In a statement the carrier said passengers flying to or through Dubai between January and March 2018 could take advantage of a range of offers at some of Dubai’s best known hotspots by simply showing their Emirates boarding pass and a valid form of identification.

    Commenting on the Programme, Emirates Regional Manager, West Africa, Afzal Parambil,  said the airline  has expanded the programme with more partners  to ensure that passengers  can enjoy special discounts at over 250 world class restaurants and hotel dining outlets in Dubai.

    He said:”Dubai is one of the world’s most vibrant cities with a diverse range of experiences to suit everyone and keep travellers returning time and time again. This year, we’ve doubled the number of partners in the My Emirates Pass programme to give our customers more options and even better value on their visit. Whether it’s your first time in Dubai or a return trip, there is always something new to explore.”

     

  • Emirates to restore second Lagos, Abuja daily flights 

    There are indications that Emirates Airlines  may restore its second daily flight on Lagos and Dubai route.

    The airline reduced its twice daily flight on the route last year due to financial and operational reasons.

    Apart from cutting Lagos flights, the airline stopped operating into Abuja.

    Emirates Regional Manager, West Africa Commercial Operations, Afzal Parambil, said in Lagos last week that the airline had opened discussions with teh government on the matter.

    The airline said it was working on restoring the flights following studies on operational viability of the affected routes.

    He said: ”We stopped our second flight between Lagos and Dubai because of operational reasons. We are discussing with the  Minister to restoring the routes. Very soon, you will hear from us on the matter.”

    Describing the route as the airline’s second largest market in Africa, he said operations in the country were not without some inherent challenges.

    He  cited trapped funds from ticket sales and other issues, which forced Emirates to stop flights into Abuja.

    He said: ”In the last years that we have operated flights into Nigeria, it has had its many challenges. Though our second largest market in Africa, it was painful last year when we stopped operations into Abuja, due largely to operational and economic reasons.

    “But, to sustain any flight operations, it must be operational viable. There is indeed possibility to return to Abuja.“

    He backed the plan by the Federal Government to float a national airline, saying the model to be adopted depends on the sustainability of the proposed carrier.

    “There are several models that a national carrier can follow, saying Emirates is an example of state owned carrier.”

    On the plan to get a huge chunk of the Chinese market, Parambili said the airline plays a huge role of bringing and taking passengers from Nigeria and add value to the Nigerian economy. We want to promote Nigeria as an investment destination.”

    Meanwhile, Emirates Airlines is offering its Nigerian travellers special fares on return Economy Class and Business Class tickets to select destinations across its network, including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

    The airline is rolling out the special fares to celebrate what it termed a milestone in aviation history when it welcomes the delivery of its 100th A380 aircraft later this year.

  • Emirates, flydubai codeshare routes

    With their partnership, Emirates will expand its network to 29 flydubai destinations in three continents.

    The new partnership  will offer greater frequency and easier access to more global destinations. Passengers can book on Emirates.com, or through Emirates’ Contact Centres or travel agents from October 29.

    The codeshare destinations include: Asmara; Belgrade ; Kiev ; Juba; Samara and Kazan.

    Others are : Prague ; Sarajevo ; Sofia ; Kuwait ; Muscat and Bucharest.

    Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Group and flydubai Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum  said: “This is an exciting first step in unlocking the benefits of the partnership for passengers who will have the opportunity to enjoy the unique advantages each airline offers as well as greater choice and flexibility when connecting via Dubai. This is just the start and as we expand the partner network in the coming months we will open up more opportunities for our passengers to explore the world.”

    Throughout the customer journey, Emirates and flydubai will deliver a product experience reflective of their unique brand characteristics. When booked together, as part of the codeshare, Emirates passengers will receive complimentary meals and the Emirates checked baggage allowance on flights operated by flydubai in Business and Economy classes.

    Connecting in Dubai’s aviation hub offers a smooth transfer experience and under the new partnership, passengers will benefit from a reduced minimum connection time between Emirates’ home in Terminal 3 and flydubai’s in Terminal 2 of 120 minutes.

    The announcement is an initial phase of the extensive agreement that will, in future phases, see the creation of additional city pair connections as the codeshare agreement is expanded and both airlines’ networks are optimised.

  • Emirates to deploy extra flights

    Emirates Airlines is deploy extra flights to Jeddah to help facilitate travel for thousands of pilgrims to and from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Hajj.

    The airline disclosed this in a statement.

    According to the statement, Emirates will be operating 45 additional flights to Jeddah and 12 additional flights to Medina till September 11, to help serve the two million pilgrims for Hajj.

    These services will run in parallel with Emirates’ regularly scheduled services to Jeddah. The airline will also be operating its A380 to Medina which will also support the increased demand during this period.

    The additional services are available to travellers holding a valid Hajj visa.

    This year, top inbound destinations Emirates is expecting Hajj pilgrims to come from Yangon, Manchester, Mauritius, Jakarta, Karachi, Lagos and Nairobi.

  • U.S laptop ban lifted on Emirates, Turkish Airlines

    U.S laptop ban lifted on Emirates, Turkish Airlines

    Emirates said on Wednesday the ban on laptops no longer applies on its flights to the United States.

    In March, the U.S banned laptops and other large electronic devices to and from eight mostly Muslim nations, fearing bombs may be concealed in them.

    Emirates, which flies to the U.S from its Dubai hub, said it had worked with U.S authorities to meet new security guidelines.

    Turkish Airlines also expects the ban to be lifted on its U.S flights, the BBC reports.

    The move comes after U.S Homeland Security announced new measures last week to enhance security on flights entering the country.

    An Emirates spokeswoman said: “Effective immediately, the electronics ban has been lifted for Emirates’ flights from Dubai International Airport to the USA.”

    The airline, which flies to 12 U.S cities from Dubai, thanked customers for “their understanding and patience during the last few months.”

    Emirates and other airlines expressed hope last week that the new guidelines would pave the way for the lifting of the electronics ban.

    The measures include enhanced screening, more thorough vetting of passengers and the wider use of bomb-sniffer dogs in 105 countries.

  • An Emirates misadventure

    It is obviously a blowout. It is a misadventure that has stuck in the throat like a stalwart bone. The type often requiring surgery to extricate, but this time, even the procedure may turn out to be more complicated than the ailment.

    What’s this riddle about, why is Hardball speaking in parables? Well, a few months ago, our beloved telecoms giant, MTN, had consummated a marketing promotions deal with our beloved English Premier League side, Arsenal Football Club. The number one communications firm in Nigeria had tied up a deal supposedly to ride on the back of the English club to reach the heart of its subscribers and perhaps win a few more.

    Nothing wrong with this transaction which must have set MTN back by a tidy heap of pound Sterling, but Hardball is mesmerised, if not piqued by some small aspects of this matter.

    First, in the radio commercial blitz accompanying the promotion, an English commentator dramatises an Arsenal move in a game starring its chief striker, Olivier Giroud. He raises his voice very high and comes to an ecstatic crescendo!

    But if Arsenal and its star men were pulling their weight, performing at their peak, this would have been a sweet song to many. But the truth is that Arsenal is at the nadir of its life in a long while yet. Worse, Giroud, the star of the irksome commercial, is currently ‘enjoying’ his worst season.

    It is bad enough that he has been sidelined as a front-man by a midfielder, what is going for him now is his luxuriant beards and verdant backside. Plus the fact that he is more popular for his exploits off the pitch.

    Further, for the first time in about a decade, Arsenal now faces the gloomy prospect of finishing outside the top four in the EPL. Recall, (as if anyone has forgotten) Arsenal’s humiliation in the hands of Bayern Munich – 10 – 2 goals over two legs. Exactly the same miserable score line last season. This suggests a dying club isn’t it?

    Well not exactly so for MTN. But what does it betoken that a supposedly major club has no major silverware in 10 seasons? Yet Nigeria’s number one corporate entity ups and signs a multi-million worth of contract with this picaninny club whose coach is now heckled every week.

    It must be said that MTN is not alone in this marketing rascality. The roll call includes Airtel, Glo, First Bank, Nigeria Breweries, Sterling Bank, Chi Limited and Guinness, to name a few. While our big corporates ship coal to Newcastle, Nigeria’s football league suffers extreme neglect. It is not even on television!

    Let us concede that Arsenal’s half-ass performance may be good for MTN strategy, but that Giroud’s commercial grates badly, please.

  • Emirates gets manager

    Emirates has appointed Mr Afzal Parambil  as its Regional Manager for West Africa.

    Prior to taking up his new appointment, Parambil served in some commercial roles within Emirates, the most recent being the Country Manager for Ethiopia.

    Congratulating Mr. Parambil on his new position, Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for Africa, said: “Nigeria is a very important market for Emirates and we are delighted that  Mr Parambil will serve as the new Regional Manager for West Africa. It’s part of our human resources strategy to continuously develop and enhance our employees’ capabilities across the Group through providing them with new challenges and opportunities,” he added.

    Parambil will be responsible for Emirates operation in the country and West Africa as a whole, and will oversee sales and customer service, cargo and airport operations.