The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Emirates

  • Iwobi counts blessings of Wilshere’s support

    Iwobi counts blessings of Wilshere’s support

     

     

    In what could pass for giving honour to whom it is due, Super Eagles and Arsenal forward Alex Iwobi has singled out Jack Wilshere as a major contributor to what he has turned out to be at the Emirates

    Iwobi has developed into an important first-team member since making his debut in October 2015 and recently made his 50th appearance for the Gunners.

    He is determined to keep improving in the years to come and has thanked Wilshere for his role in his development so far.

    “The biggest influence on me would probably be Jack Wilshere, but he has not been around recently,” the 20-year-old told the Arsenal website.

    “He talks to me off the pitch because he has been through the same system as me. I just watch what he does, especially as I grew up as a number 10 and he’s a number 10.

    “Now I would say it is Francis Coquelin, he is always talking to me. After the Watford game he told me what I did well, and what I need to improve on. He is definitely one who keeps me in check.

    “I never thought I would be here at the age of 20, it is an amazing feeling to have made more than 50 appearances for Arsenal.

    “It is just the start of my career basically, so I just need to get more goals, more assists and make more appearances and do my best for the team.”

  • Emirates offers fares discount

    Emirates is offering Nigerian customers a discount of up to 50 per cent on the Lagos- Dubai route fares.

    The offer is for economy and business classes’ seats bookings paid for from this month to May, 2017.

    Meanwhile, the airline has retired the last Airbus A330 and A340 aircraft in its fleet from service.

    Their retirement makes Emirates the only airline to operate a fleet of Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.

    The airline said it took the decision to offer a superior passenger experience and improve environmental performance through a state-of-the-art wide-body aircraft fleet.

    Since January 2015, Emirates has retired 18 A330 and  five A340 aircraft from its fleet. It also plans to phase out some 25 aircraft in 2017 and 2018 to ensure that its operating fleet remains modern and efficient .

  • ‘Dangote Group has no plan to buy Arsenal’

    ‘Dangote Group has no plan to buy Arsenal’

    Dangote Group of Companies has dismissed as untrue the widely held notion that the company was on the verge of investing in English Premier League side, Arsenal FC.

    The Executive Director, Stakeholders Management and Corporate Communications, Dangote Group of Companies, Engr. Mansur Ahmed during a media parley held in Kano said, the initiative to invest in Arsenal was not a business decision of the group.

    According to him, the interest to invest in the North London club was a personal decision and not in the interest of Aliko Dangote, who held sway as the Chairman, Dangote Group of Companies.

    Also, Mansur added that Aliko Dangote is a die-hard Arsenal fan, stressing that the intent is to invest in the club must have been influenced by his love for the Emirates lads.

    He said that the Board of Directors of the conglomerate had never expressed any interest in buying Arsenal, stating that, the interest in the club is by no means connected to his business.

    He pointed out that, when the news over Dangote’s interest was unfolded, many queried the personal decision of the business tycoon, “If he chooses to buy Enugu Rangers, people will say, why not Kano Pillars” he concluded.

  • Emirates, Kenyan Airways to review Nigeria operations

    The economic recession in Nigeria is taking a toll on the aviation sector as Emirates Airlines and Kenyan Airways have concluded plans to review their operations.

    Consequently, the two airlines will suspend flights in the Abuja – Dubai and Abuja – Nairobi route.

    A source close to Emirates confirmed yesterday that effective October 30 this year, the United Arab Emirates carrier will be suspending its four times weekly flight between Abuja and Dubai .

    The decision to suspend Abuja flights by Emirates, it was learnt, was taken after the airline reviewed its operations to ensure best utilisation of its aircraft fleet for its overall business objectives.

    Kenya Airline indicated that the suspension of its Abuja flights was triggered by the dwindling traffic from Abuja to Nairobi, the airline’s operational hub.

    Its CEO, Mbuvi Ngunze in a statement obtained indicated that the airline would however continue to operate its daily flight from Lagos to Nairobi.

  • Emirates gets Best World Airlines award

    Emirates has been  named the World’s Best Airline at the  Skytrax World Airline Awards.

    The ceremony took place at the Farnborough Air Show in the United Kindgom (UK) last week.

    The Middle East carrier also  won the awards for World’s Best Inflight entertainment for a record 12th consecutive year as well being the best airline for the Middle East  region. Based on the results of the largest airline passenger satisfaction survey, the World’s Best Airline Awards are considered a global benchmark of airline excellence.

    According to a statement by the airline, this  year’s Skytrax awards were based on a total of 19.2 million completed surveys covering 280 airlines, by customers from more than 104 countries.

    The Skytrax survey, the statement said  measures quality standards across 41 key performance indicators of front-line products and services in the airline industry.

    The statement said: “This is the fourth time Emirates has won the top accolade since the airline awards were introduced 15 years ago.

    “The airline won the first-ever Skytrax World’s Best Airline in 2001, 2002 and in 2013. In total, Emirates has won 20 Skytrax World Airline Awards since 2001.”

    Emirates President, Sir Tim Clark said: “We are honoured to be recognised by the prestigious Skytrax awards.

    “Emirates has always put our customers at the heart of what we do, and we work hard to deliver the very best experience possible to our customers at every touch point, every day, all around the world.

    “ We constantly invest in our product and services, both on the ground and in the air. We listen carefully to our customers, and then relentlessly challenge ourselves to deliver and exceed expectations.”

  • Emirates increases free baggage allowance on African routes

    Emirates increases free baggage allowance on African routes

    Emirates  is set to increase its free baggage allowance for customers travelling on all its flights originating from destinations across Africa.

    Emirates’ customers travelling in any of the airline’s three cabin classes on outbound African flights will benefit from the increase in free baggage allowance based on the piece concept .

    Economy Class customers will get a new baggage allowance of two bags weighing up to 23kg each, taking the current weight allowance from 30kg to 46kg, while Business Class increases to two bags of 32kg each, taking the current 40kg to 64kg. First Class customers will get a baggage allowance of two bags weighing up to 32 kg each, up from the current 50 kg to 64kg. In addition, infants will be entitled one piece of luggage up to 23kg.

    The baggage allowance will be applicable for all return Emirates’ flights beginning from Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to Emirates network. Irrespective of the point of sale, the piece concept will apply for the entire journey.

    “At Emirates, we always focus on how we can give our customers the best value for money through award winning products and services, both in the air and on the ground. The increased free baggage allowance is another compelling reason for travellers to fly with Emirates. It will enable them to carry even more goods, whether for personal or business reasons, on their journeys from Africa to points across our global network and back,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Africa.

    “With more than 370 flights a week between Dubai and the 22 passenger destinations we serve in Africa, the continent is a very important region for Emirates, and we believe the new allowance will further strengthen trade and tourism connectivity between Africa and our worldwide network, particularly the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific,” he added.

    Customers on all Emirates flights between its hub Dubai and the 22 destinations in Africa, also enjoy Emirates’ award winning ice entertainment system, which offers hundreds of channels of audio and visual entertainment, while enjoying gourmet cuisine, and the service and hospitality from Emirates’ multi-national cabin crew, including from many countries in Africa.

    In addition to opening new routes, Emirates continues to enhance its presence in Africa by increasing flight frequencies to existing points, and deploying larger aircraft to cater for the increasing passenger and cargo demand. Emirates also serve five cargo only destinations in Africa.

  • Emirates announces appointments

    Emirates announces appointments

    Emirates Airline has announced management changes in its commercial operations team to strengthen its market position in Africa, the Middle East and North and South America.

    In a statement, the airline appointed Orhan Abbas as Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Africa.

    With the  appointment,  Abbas will lead growth efforts across the continent and will report to Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori.

    Since joining Emirates in 1998 as a management trainee, he has held senior positions in Tanzania, Iran, South Africa and the Middle East as well as the position of Vice President for India and Nepal.

    In 2012, he was appointed Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, The Americas, and in August 2013 was later appointed as Senior Vice President Commercial Operations – Latin America, Central and Southern Africa.

    According to the statement, the new Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Gulf Middle East  and  Iran, Adil Al Ghaith, will lead some Emirates’ markets in the Middle East.

    The statement reads: ”Having been with Emirates for 17 years, Adil is a seasoned commercial executive in this region who led markets like Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Yemen for several years. He also previously held the position of Vice President in Pakistan and Senior Vice President in North and West Africa.”

    Rob Gurney is taking an additional responsibility for Latin America as he becomes the Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations (The Americas). He joined Emirates in October 2014 as a Divisional Vice President Australasia following an extensive career in aviation, travel and tourism; and was promoted to Senior Vice President Commercial Operations for North America last year.

    Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Emirates Airline Thierry Antinori said: “The industry is constantly evolving and we remain committed to looking at new ways at developing our services and expanding our commercial footprint across a number of regions, including Africa, the Middle East and the Americas. With an excellent track record in growing our business, I am confident that Orhan, Adil and Rob will excel in their new roles so we stay competitive in a new year of growth.

    The commercial team changes are a further testament to Emirates’ strategic direction to keep its competitive edge in these regions.”

  • Emirates unveils new business class seat

    Emirates unveils new business class seat

    Emirates has unveiled its new business class seat for its Boeing 777 aircraft.

    The new product is part of efforts to enhance passenger comfort.

    According to a statement, the new business class seat was unveiled at an international travel trade show that held last week in Berlin.

    The seat is set to make its commercial debut on Emirates’170th Boeing 777 aircraft, a -300ER version, which the airline expects to receive in November, this year.

    Emirates President, Sir Ted Clark, said: ”OurBoeing 777 Business Class seats are already an industry-leading premium product, and what this new seat does is to take that design and comfort to the next level. We gave the seat a fresh and modern look, retained all the existing features that our customers love and added a few more, while improving the seating and sleeping comfort.

    “Providing our customers with the best possible experience has always been at the heart of any new product development at Emirates. It’s evolution as well as revolution. We are always working towards the next big leap, but at the same time, we continually look at the little ways we can enhance what we already offer.’’

    He added: ‘’We believe this new Business Class seat further strengthens the experience and value proposition for our premium customers. We are very excited about the arrival of our first Boeing 777 later this year with the new seats, and to see how our customers will respond to it, which I’m optimistic will be positive.”

     

  • Emirates unveils fares on new routes

    Emirates unveils fares on new routes

    Emirates Airlines has unveiled new fares for Nigerian passengers as part of efforts to enable passengers explore and revisit favourite cities.

    The new fares the airline said, are part of global sales as a window to  encourage passengers to travel.

    The airline announced special offers on business and economy class for bookings made between January 5 and January 18, 2016 for trips to be embarked on between January 13, 2016 and June 15, 2016.

    Emirates Vice President and Chief Commercial OfficerThierry Antinori said: ” We know that many people have begun thinking about their travel plans and aspirations for 2016, and we are pleased to add a little more inspiration and incentive to help turn those plans and dreams into reality.

    “Our global destination network across six continents, offers something for every traveller, and we are now combining that wide range of travel choices with special rates to offer would-be travellers with an even more appealing value proposition,” adding that aside from choice, connectivity and value, the Emirates experience also means customers can look forward to industry-leading comforts on board its modern jets, and award-winning service from friendly cabin crew.”

    He said Emirates flies to over 140 cities in 80 countries, saying that adventurous globetrotters can explore the airline’s newest destinations launched in 2015, such as Bali, Multan, Orlando, Mashhad and Bologna.

    He said Emirates would begin flights to Panama City on February 1, this year, opening the airline’s first gateway destination in Central America.

     

  • Emirates unveils kits for passengers

    Emirates unveils kits for passengers

    Emirates has launched a new set of amenity kits for its first and business class passengers .

    The bags have been designed in collaboration with luxury Italian brand,Bvlgari, and are already available onboard all flights. The Emirates  private collection by Bvlgari for first class  passengers will have eight designs for men and women.

    The Emirates indulgences  by Bvlgari for business class passengers  will feature another eight designs for both men and women.

    The set of 16 designer kit bags will be refreshed every nine months, giving frequent travellers something new to look forward to on their flights.

    Speaking on the new product, divisional senior Vice President service delivery , Ted Daly said:  “We’re pleased to be able to bring even more options to our customers with the revamped kits. We put emphasis on the details of our products to match the comfort and luxury of travelling on Emirates”.

    Bvlgari and our team worked very closely on the designs to develop bags that were stylish without compromising on functionality.

    He said the  variations will be available on different sectors giving passengers travelling on connecting flights a chance to collect all four bags.

    The new kits feature designs for men and women  was inspired by Bvlgari’s latest collection.

    The men’s First Class bags are made of leather for a premium feel while the ladies’ bags for both first and business class passengers  come in a satin finish.

    The new amenity kits in premium cabins are among the first of several product updates being planned.

    As part of its commitment to continuous product development and an exceptional travel experience, Emirates will also be launching a new collection of amenity kits for economy class passengers in the coming months.