In an expanse of gray rock and dust in one of the harshest environments on earth, the United Arab Emirates is about to build what is being described as the world’s first sustainable city, designed by British architect Norman Foster.
The site is far from promising. Far from a polluted sea, a fierce sun raises temperatures to 50?C in the summer, and there is no fresh water, no soil and no animals. But tens of billions of petro-dollars will be poured into these 7km2 of desert on the outskirts of Abu Dhabi.
Called Masdar — “the source” in Arabic — the walled city is intended to house 50,000 people and 1,500 businesses. It will have no cars and be self-sufficient in renewable energy, the majority of which will be solar energy.
The formal unveiling of the desert eco-city was made on Monday at a summit on future energy sources in Abu Dhabi, attended by the UK business secretary, John Hutton, and Prince Andrew.
“It’s extremely ambitious,” said Gerard Evenden, senior partner in Lord Foster’s architecture practice in London, which has had a team working on the design for nine months. “We were invited to design a zero-carbon city. In this harsh place we needed to look back at history and see how ancient settlements had adapted to their environments.”
The buildings will huddle together as in a casbah, and will be cooled by wind towers which will collect the desert’s breezes and flush out hot air. No building will be more than five stories high; the city is to be oriented northeast to southwest to give the optimum balance of sunlight and shade.
It will feel closer to many cities built in the age of the cart and horse. Most roads will only be 3m wide and just 70m long to develop a micro-climate and keep the air moving; roofs will allow in air and keep the sun out in the summer. No one will be more than 200m from public transport, and streets will give on to colonnaded squares and fountains.
ARCHITECT’S DREAM
“We are definitely not imposing a standard international architecture in Masdar. We are aiming to find a balance of light and heat,” Evenden said. “It’s only really hot for three months of the year, but at other times it’s humid.”
It is every architect’s dream to build a new city and Foster’s team say they started from scratch. The idea has been to reduce the amount of energy needed to build it and to live there, and then to let solar energy take over.
“We will start with a large solar power station which will provide the energy to construct the city. Some 80 percent of all the roof space will be used to generate solar power, and because we expect technology to improve as we are building it, we hope we will later be able to remove the power plant. We could `borrow’ energy from outside, but we are trying to prove it can all be generated in the confines of the site,” Evenden said.
The architects are also planning some high-tech gadgetry. The 50,000 inhabitants, and everyone who works there, will move around on one of three levels. A light railway will whizz people to and from Masdar to Abu Dhabi’s forest of glass and steel towers; a second level is reserved for pedestrians; and a third for “personalized rapid transport pods,” described by Evenden as “little vehicles like driverless personal taxis which run on tracks or magnetic discs in the road.”
“It’s a tried technology,” he said. “They are in production in Holland, and used to move containers around in Rotterdam port.”
MONEY NO OBJECT
No clues have been given about the city’s cost, how it will be socially organized and who will live there, but money is clearly no object. Abu Dhabi, the capital of the Emirates, is vying with neighbor Dubai to be the most dazzling Gulf city and the environment is seen as the new card in the deck.
With at least US$1 trillion invested abroad and sitting on nearly 100 billion barrels of oil, Abu Dhabi is the richest city in the world. Its 420,000 inhabitants are theoretically worth about US$17 million each, and they are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions per capita than any other population in the world.
Abu Dhabi is expected this week to announce a US$500 million deal to manufacture thin-film solar panels to make Masdar a center of the global solar energy manufacturing industry.
“This will be the global capital of the renewable energy revolution. It’s the first oil producing nation to have taken such a significant step towards sustainable living,” said Jean-Paul Jeanrenaud, director of the World Wildlife Fund’s One Planet Living initiative, which aims to develop sustainable communities. But critics have said Masdar is a fig leaf for the rest of the Gulf, heartland of the world’s fossil fuel extraction.
“The numbers must be put into perspective. They are spending welcome billions of dollars on renewables but trillions are still going into climate-changing oil economies. The future is the sun and renewables but there is no time to wait for this revolution,” said Tony Juniper, director of Friends of the Earth.
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The number of visitors to Abu Dhabi grew by 16 per cent in 2007 – one of the highest growth rates for the sector in the world. However, the head of the Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) said the emirate does not have enough hotel rooms to accommodate the increase.
A strategic study on Abu Dhabi’s tourism sector conducted by ADTA for 2015 said about 1.37 million tourists visited the capital in 2007, compared to 1.18m in 2006. And the study predicted the sector will host 1.58 million visitors in 2008.
The study said the emirate is likely to see 12 per cent annual growth in the coming years, with three million tourists planning trips to Abu Dhabi by 2015.
However, Director General Mubarak Hamad Al Muhairi said: “The small number of hotel rooms in the capital is the biggest challenge that Abu Dhabi faces in the implementation of its strategic plan.”
“While the number of hotel rooms in the emirate is about 10,000, ADTA’s plan needs to provide 13,500 hotel rooms in 2008, 16,800 in 2010 and 24,400 in 2015.”
In 2007, the number of nights tourists spent in hotels was more than 2.8 million, an increase of 16 per cent over 2006.
The hospitality sector, Al Muhairi said, is not ready for such large growth. “Abu Dhabi needs about 30 new hotels over the next seven years. There are a number of hotel projects that have been announced or launched. Some of the projects were a result of the partnership between the private sector and the ADTA – represented by the investment arm, the Tourism Development and Investment Company.”
Tourism is making up a growing percentage of the emirate’s GDP. “The tourism sector in Abu Dhabi in 2006 contributed Dh8.68 billion to GDP, which accounts for 2.9 per cent of the GDP and 7.1 per cent of the total production of non-oil sectors. We expect the rate of contribution to increase in 2007.”
Hotels in 2006 yielded a return of Dh1.8bn, compared to Dh1.5bn in 2005, with a growth rate of 19 per cent.
Al Muhairi said Abu Dhabi hotels saw a dramatic upswing in returns over the past 10 years and its growth rate is among the highest.
“Returns of hotels in 1997 were Dh700 million, compared to Dh1.8bn in 2006. The five-star hotels had the biggest share of total yields as their returns came to more than Dh1.2bn. The four-star hotels come second with returns of Dh290m.”
Investment in the tourism sector in the UAE is the highest in the Middle East, Al Muhairi said. Qatar comes second, which is also witnessing dramatic growth.
The annual growth rate for tourism globally stands at 4.1 per cent, while the region is seeing an increase of 3.9 per cent per year. Exceptions to the figure include destinations such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which have seen growth of more than 10 per cent. European countries and Japan top the list of top 10 tourist markets for Abu Dhabi. In 2006, 8.8 per cent of visitors came from the United Kingdom. Germans came in second at eight per cent, followed by the United States (1.9 per cent), Russia (1.2 per cent), Italy, Japan, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands.
Reference: Here
The UAE has come out on top of an international index ranking the world’s best destinations for resorts and hotels. The Emirates beat such luxury locales as the Maldives, Australia, Tahiti, and Bermuda in the 2007 Country Brand Index issued by New York-based Future Brands.
The branding consultants, who have offices in Asia Pacific, Middle East, Europe, Latin America and North America, specialise in brand assessments, branding strategy and innovation in a wide range of sectors including travel and tourism, healthcare, finance, aviation and transport.
Lower down in the rankings were well-known holiday destinations including the United States, Canada, Singapore and Malaysia.
The UAE came in second to the United States as the most preferred shopping destination, followed by Singapore, Italy, Japan, France, UK, Canada, Thailand and South Korea.
The index was composed from analysis of new trends, themes and opportunities to rank the top 10 destinations in 22 different categories including history, art and culture, outdoor activities, beaches, natural beauty, rest and relaxation, safety and value for money.
It considered countries that stand out as “strong and successful brands” across the categories, and the rankings took account of qualities that shape a country’s reputation, perception and experiences.
The study found the UAE ranked as the best for resort and lodging facilities because it boasts a wide-variety of hotel accommodation – from family-friendly beach resorts to the world’s only seven-star hotel, Burj Al Arab, in addition to the largest number of new properties under construction.
In Dubai, developments in the pipeline stretch out to 2020 and are in line to deliver 80,000 extra hotel rooms by 2010, with 100,000 people employed in the sector. The UAE’s investment in the tourism industry stands at more than Dh878 billion, with Dubai leading the field with Dh454bn in projects followed by Abu Dhabi with Dh305bn, according to a recent report. The UAE was also awarded third place among the most popular emerging destinations under the category ‘Rising Star’ after Croatia and China, who came in first and second respectively.
For fine dining, the country came in seventh, topped by destinations like France, Italy, Singapore, Japan, the US and UK. The Emirates was also in the top 10 for best business destinations.
The study concluded: “With global wealth and travel becoming accessible to a larger population, we see a dramatic ‘raising of the bar’ in the more affluent tourism sector. The cash-rich ageing population and empty nesters in the Western Hemisphere will drive business for the luxury, indulgence and self-discovery sectors.And places like Dubai are proof that exclusive luxury is alive and well.”
Reference: Here
The Abu Dhabi Naturalization and Residency Department (ADNRD) allows issuing of visit visas only for immediate relatives, such as parents, brothers, sisters, wives and children,’ the department’s director Nassir Al Awadi Al Minhali said.
Under the new visa rules, residents of Abu Dhabi can no longer bring their friends and workers to the emirate.
ADNRD will not issue visit visas for companies that are allowed to obtain only employment visas after getting temporary mission permits from the ministry of labour.
A study by the UAE ministry of interior showed that about 25 percent of the illegal migrants entered the UAE on visit visas.
With unprecedented global air travel fuelled by the economic boom in emerging markets such as China, India and the Gulf, the aviation sector has never seemed more lucrative. On Tuesday, for example, Prestige Jet was launched out of Abu Dhabi to run private jets and this region has also seen Sharjah-based Air Arabia grow from strength to strength since its launch in 2003.
However, the process of new airlines getting off the ground and staying in the skies may not be that easy. MAXjet Airways ceased operations on Monday – leaving jets on tarmacs and stranding passengers – as the all-business class airline said it would file for bankruptcy protection. MAXjet blamed soaring fuel prices and the deteriorating credit market for the “drastic measure”.
But analysts said the company’s failure may raise questions about the viability of all-business class airlines.
MAXjet launched in 2005 and offered ‘all-premium’ flights between London Stansted, New York, Las Vegas and Los Angeles. But analysts said it could not compete with deeper-pocketed rivals such as American Airlines. “High fuel prices were a contributing factor, but American’s inauguration in October of [service between New York’s John F Kennedy International Airport and London’s Stansted Airport]… was the coup de grace,” said Robert Mann, an airline consultant in Port Washington, New York.
While business class service can be very profitable to airlines, it is also a very “thin” market, Mann said, serving, typically, “40 to 70 seats per flight, depending on the route and aircraft”.
Any loss of market share to a competitor can be devastating, particularly to an all business-class carrier like MAXjet that did not have revenue from economy passengers – or a robust route system – to fall back on.
“They could not get the current premium class passengers away from major carriers,” said Mike Boyd, president of The Boyd Group, an Evergreen, Colorado, airline consultancy.
Analysts suggest flyer loyalty – to bigger carriers – makes the model followed by MAXjet and international rivals like Silverjet and Eos.
“The business class challenge is that there’s strong brand loyalty [frequent flyer programmes], plus there’s some corporate deals major carriers offer,” Boyd said. “These off-brand all-premium carriers will struggle.”
Could these challenges also be applied in this region where Prestige Jet and other potential operators hope to capitalise on the sector’s growth?
Dubai-based ArabJet is a proposed all-business class carrier that has already postponed its launch date twice. Speaking to Emirates Business, Mohammed El Shanti, the airline’s chief executive officer, disclosed the challenges he has faced.
So, will ArabJet be flying anytime soon? “Yes,” says El Shanti, seemingly undaunted by the challenges that his company has faced over the past couple of years.
“We have no reason to believe that it [ArabJet] will not fly out of Dubai. At the moment, we have about 10 UAE investors, who are dealing with us professionally and are willing to provide the initial $50 million [Dh183.5m] startup capital. It is difficult to say when we will definitely launch but if things work out well, we are looking at the next six months,” he said.
Richard Aboulafia, of Teal Group Corp, a US-based aerospace and defence consulting firm, said ArabJet’s delay is not an exclusive case.
“Many all-business class carriers have failed or been delayed all over the world. I don’t think ArabJet’s delay reflects poorly on the UAE. Most countries are judged by their national champion carrier, for better or worse. One reason business-class carriers would have a tough time in the UAE is that the national airlines, especially Emirates, do a terrific job catering to business travellers.
Another newcomer, Kang Pacific Airlines (KPA), has made monthly changes to its launch schedule since it went public about its plans in August. KPA’s self-made claims as the ‘fifth airline of the UAE’ and ‘the airline of Fujairah’ have also put it in a controversial light, particularly following official statements from civil aviation authorities that it has not yet applied for the required air operator’s certificate. But KPA’s founder, Indian businessman Paul Kang, seems determined on proving that this airline can and will fly out of Fujairah.
In November, the airline sponsored advertisements on their official website, as well as on a local television network, announcing special Christmas fares for flights from Fujairah to Clark International Airport in Angeles City in the Philippines.
Although Kang refused to provide updates regarding the airline’s operations, Emirates Business has learned that KPA had put off its supposed December flight and that it is tentatively targeting late February 2008 for its maiden voyage.
Abid Riaz, aviation analyst at EFG-Hermes Dubai, said the Gulf has more than enough space for industry players like KPA wanting to tap the low-cost market.
“I guess the real issues would be whether a potential airline can create a demand that wasn’t earlier addressed and if it can implement a sustainable business model. Can it replicate the success of existing airlines and will people be willing to travel, for instance, from Dubai to Fujairah in order to avail of their service?”
Citing Air Arabia as an example, Riaz said the Sharjah-based carrier’s operational matrix successfully targeted a particular segment of the region’s travel market. “The growth of Air Arabia has been exponential – from breaking even 18 months after it was launched in 2003, to becoming highly profitable in 2006.”
In addition, Riaz said the backing of a local government can also influence the success of a startup airline. “If an airline is backed by a local government, it enjoys preferential treatment like landing rights. Airport expansion may also be undertaken to accommodate its increasing fleet.”
Meanwhile, another new entrant to the market, RAK Airways, managed to finally take off on November 29 despite a tough start. The highly anticipated fourth national carrier of the UAE had to weather three launch postponements and two changes of chief executive officers in less than two years.
UAE’s newest carriers?
ARAB JET
An ambitious business-only airline that aims to be in the same league as Silverjet (United Kingdom) and L’Avion (France), the Dubai-based Arabjet hopes to offer flights to Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Manama, Amman, Cairo, Beirut, Tehran, Doha and Muscat. But in order to realise its plans of acquiring, and eventually expanding, its fleet of two leased Airbus A319 corporate jetliners, it needs a capital investment of $100 million (Dh365 million).
CEO: Mohammed El Shanti
ORIGINAL LAUNCH DATE: First quarter 2006
CAUSE OF DELAY: Failed negotiations with potential Saudi investors
CURRENT SITUATION: Co-ordinating with new investors in UAE and Qatar
NEW LAUNCH DATE: Unconfirmed
KANG PACIFIC
Attempting to set up its hub at the Fujairah International Airport, Kang Pacific has been showing an unwavering determination to launch its service to the Philippines, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom. With an initial capital of $10 million (Dh36.5 million), this private low-cost carrier plans to lease a McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft for its operations.
CEO: Paul Kang
ORIGINAL LAUNCH DATE: October 2007
CAUSE OF DELAY: Undisclosed
CURRENT SITUATION: Preparations are underway with bookings expected to be available by late November
NEW LAUNCH DATE: Tentatively, February 2008
RAK AIRWAYS
As the UAE’s highly awaited fourth national carrier, RAK Airways has been waiting in the wings for more than a year. Setting its hub at the Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, the airline has launched its service to Beirut and also has active plans to offer scheduled commercial flights to Bangladesh, Bulgaria, India, Nepal, Qatar, Sri Lanka and Tanzania. Its industrial objectives are backed by a substantial capital investment of $411 million (Dh1.5 billion).
CEO: Jack Romero (February to September 2006), Kishu Teckchandani (February to May 2007), Captain Khalid Almeer (July 2007 to date)
ORIGINAL LAUNCH DATE: End-2006
CAUSE OF DELAY: Acquisition of route access rights
CURRENT SITUATION: Operational
NEW LAUNCH DATE: November 29, 2007
After being tightlipped about its plans, the Ras Al Khaimah government-backed airline last month began its thrice-a-week service to Beirut, with plans to expand its route network to include Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bulgaria, India, Nepal, Qatar and Tanzania.
Earlier reports mentioned that, although the carrier operates charter flights to Turkey using a Boeing B757 aircraft, its full commercial launch has been put on hold following the acquisition of route access rights to India and Iran.
RAK Airways’s fitful start has not dampened its promising entry into the aviation market, experts say.
According to a Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (Capa) report published in August, “Ras Al Khaimah is a late mover in the increasingly congested Middle East skies, but it could develop an effective niche role, particularly in the cargo segment, in the years to come”.
Undoubtedly, the UAE’s diverse economic opportunities, open skies policy and strategic location have stimulated a phenomenal growth in its aviation industry. Capa projects revenues from the country’s travel and tourism sector will stand at about $33.9bn (Dh124.4bn) by the end of the year, 65 per cent higher than the income generated three years ago.
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Abu Dhabi International Airport continued to register strong traffic performance. Traffic results for November showed a 42% growth in total passengers and a 14% rise in aircraft movements compared to November 2006, according to statistics released Tuesday by Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC), the operator and manager of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain international Airports.
The airport handled a total of 590,000 passengers in November 2007, a 42% rise over the 416,000 passengers seen in November 2006. The number of aircraft movements increased 14% during the same period, rising from 6,449 to 7,358.
Year to date the number of passengers increased by 30% achieving the milestone of more than 6 million. Aircraft movement showed an uptrend of 8%, having registered a total of 74,476 movements, compared to 68,920 in the same period last year.
Cargo volume increased to 27,137 tons in November 2007 from 23,454 tons last year, a growth of 16%.
November saw the operational launch of of Sama, the Saudi-based budget carrier, which began an international charter service with 6 days a week flights from Riyadh and Dammam.
Reference: Here
Hydra Properties, the leading international Abu Dhabi based property developer, strategic sponsor of Sharja International Investment and Real Estate Show (Acers Middle east 2007), announced yesterday its offering of unsold units in its development projects in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, for special prices to visitors of the Show.
The show, inaugurated by HH Sheikh Sultan Bin Mohammed Bin Sultan AL Qasimi, Crown Price and Deputy Ruler of Sharja, held at Sharja Expo, encompasses over 100 real estate developers, financing, and real estate services companies.
In addition to being a major sponsor for the Show, Hydra Properties has prepared for a huge appearance, to educate visitors, other exhibitors, and the general public on its wide range of offerings.
As a special gesture, Hydra Properties will present the visitors of the Sharja International Investment and Real Estate Exhibition, running during the period from 25 – 27 December 2007, with a special promotion. Unsold units in the company’s local projects, in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, will be on sale for reduced prices. The offer will include unsold units in Hydra Golf Walk, Hydra Towers, and Marina Spirit, in Al Reem Island, Abu Dhabi.
Dr. Sulaiman Al Fahim, Hydra Properties CEO said: “Our strategic sponsorship for the Show comes as a result of Hydra Properties involvement in this sector, and on basis of its commitment to take part in its advancement. The increasing numbers of investors, expatriates, accompanied by flourishing economy, and free hold ownership, are factors that stimulate rapid growth of this vibrant sector”.
“Hydra Properties objective is to help satisfy the demand for residential and commercial units by UAE citizens and residents. That’s why the company combined local design talents, and state of the art construction criteria, to provide developments reflecting the local culture and environment of the country, with all modern life requirements”, he added.
Hydra Golf Walk lies within Abu Dhabi Gate larger development, five minutes away from AL Raha Beach. The project is fundamental to Hydra’s vision for building new communities, which provides for eco-friendly, healthy, leisure and entertainment living. The name is indicative of a modern 18 hole golf course, signature designed by Greg Norman, in addition to a number of swimming pools, gyms, and other general service utilities.
Hydra Towers development, facing down town Dubai on Business Bay, is the first of its kind in terms of innovative design and uniqueness. Built as office spaces, the development is comprised of 5 towers, with 20, 24, 32, and 36 stories.
“While high importance is given to the humanitarian dimension in Hydra’s property undertakings, this special offer comes as a proof of the company’s directions. In the past, Hydra Properties opened the door for people with limited income to own its properties, during this important show, however, Hydra provides the opportunity, once again, for all income categories to take advantage of this special offer”, Dr. Al Fahim concluded.
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With a staggering range of products to suit every style and budget it has become a big attraction for residents of the UAE and visitors, especially with seasonal shopping and festive celebrations.
The offer of premium and top fashion brands made available at heavily reduced prices has seen footfall at the new mall multiply rapidly since opening which has made the mall increase their trading hours.
According to the mall’s Director, Vishal Mahajan, the continuously increasing footfall in the mall and comments by all retailers that the business is much above expectations is proving Dubai Outlet Mall to emerge as one of the most popular attractions in Dubai, in the brief period since its opening in August this year.
‘We had planned on attracting a large percentage of domestic consumers to the mall - apart from international visitors & tourists - and we are pleased at the popularity we are achieving. As part of the countdown to the festive season ahead, residents from as far as Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Fujairah, Sharjah and Ajman continue to drive to the mall everyday, apart from the obviously large percentage of people living in Dubai. Residents have been quick to catch on to the fact that Dubai Outlet Mall is a great place for seasonal or regular shopping - whether it be for themselves, their friends, family members and colleagues; to buy a special treat or to look for an elusive gift. The mall is also becoming increasingly popular with tourists and we are happy to welcome them.
‘The great advantage is that with every purchase the shoppers make at Dubai Outlet Mall, their shopping money is in fact being stretched considerably as everything they buy gives them a great bargain due to reduced prices.’ he explained. An added attraction is that Dubai Outlet Mall is located within a 20 minute driving distance from the World Trade Centre, on Dubai - Al Ain Road, Route 66.
Mahajan said his team is actively engaged in offering customers exemplary customer service, a pleasant shopping experience and special offers in addition to the discounts available at every store in the mall. As an example of this, visitors are offered a free cup of coffee as part of an incentive program to thank them for shopping during off-peak shopping hours.
A dedicated children’s play area located on the 1st floor allows adult shoppers to browse around the stores and to shop uninterruptedly, while their children are looked after. The presence of several F&B outlets well located around the mall ensures that ardent shoppers can get a well-deserved rest whenever they wish to.
Dubai Outlet Mall has more than 240 stores that are categorised by fashion (men, women, and children, unisex), shoes and footwear, lingerie and swimwear, accessories and jewellery, leather and travel goods, cosmetics and perfumes, electronics and homewares, sunglasses and watches, and sportswear and sporting goods, toys, and novelties.
Some of the larger brands and designers on offer include Azarro, Max Mara, Mango, Mexx, Ted Lapidus, Reebok, Massimo Dutti, Diesel, Calvin Klein, Guess, Evisu, Adidas, Nike, Puma, Villeroy and Boch, Rodeo Drive and Esprit, among numerous others - all made available at discounts varying between 30 and 90%.
The mall houses a food court with several known brands and cuisines, restaurants and cafes and a forthcoming attraction is the Middle East’s first Chuck E Cheese’s family entertainment centre with food, games and rides, an ice rink, a bowling alley and other novelties.
The mall is open through the week, from Sunday to Wednesday 10 am - 10 pm and Thursday to Saturday 10 am - 12 midnight.
Dubai Outlet Mall is a division of UAE-based Al Ahli Group, a multi-disciplined conglomerate founded in the late 1960s, with interests in construction, engineering, cement, plastic, printing, leisure and retail industries.
Reference: Here
Abu Dhabi International Airport recorded a 42 per cent growth in passenger traffic and 14 per cent rise in aircraft movements in November compared to the same period last year.
The airport handled a total of 590,000 passengers in November 2007, a 42 per cent rise over the 416,000 passengers seen in November 2006. The number of aircraft movements increased 14 per cent during the same period, rising from 6,449 to 7,358, according to a statement from Abu Dhabi Airports Company (ADAC).
For the year to date (YTD Jan-November) the number of passengers increased by 30 per cent achieving the milestone of more than 6 million. Aircraft movement showed an uptrend of 8 per cent, having registered a total of 74,476 movements, compared to 68,920 in the same period last year.
Cargo volume increased to 27,137 tonnes in November 2007 from 23,454 tonnes last year, recording a growth of 16 per cent, the statement said.
The month saw the launch of operations of Sama, the Saudi-based budget carrier, which began an international charter service with six days a week flights from Riyadh and Dammam.
Abu Dhabi Airports Company, ADAC, is a public joint-stock company wholly owned by Abu Dhabi Government. It has taken over the operation and management of Abu Dhabi and Al Ain international Airports since September 2006. Under its mandate will be the re-development and expansion of Abu Dhabi International Airport, which includes the new midfield terminal designed to increase the overall capacity of the airport to 20 million passengers by 2010.
Reference: Here
The UAE’s travel industry is set to receive a boost after nine more European countries joined the Schengen Agreement, which eliminates border controls between participating states. A visitor with a Schengen visa can enter one of the countries in the scheme and travel freely through all 24.
Diplomatic missions and the travel agencies in the UAE said the expansion will lead to an increase in the number of Arab business travellers and tourists visiting Europe.
Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia and Malta signed up to the agreement on Friday.
“It is a welcome development,” said Martin Tscherner, Vice-Consul at the German Consulate in Dubai. “With a Schengen visa issued by the German Consulate or Embassy a person from the UAE will be able to travel to all 24 countries. There are no checks at national borders and travellers can use air, land or rail transport.”
A senior manager at KLM-Air France said: “It is a welcome step for the travel and tourism sector. The expanded Schengen visa will encourage more people from the region to travel to Europe. Adding nine more European countries is bound to boost tourist and business travel to Europe. Airlines operating in the European sector will also benefit from the new visa rules.
“The move will make it easy for expatriates in the UAE to get a visa to Europe for business, tourism, education and medical purposes.”
Faisal Mohammed, managing director of Air Choice Travel Services in Abu Dhabi, said: “The expanded Schengen zone will attract more Middle Eastern travellers to Europe. After the 9/11 attacks regional tourists were reluctant to travel to Europe. They have been going to Far East and South-East Asian destinations.
Other countries that have implemented the agreement are Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain and Sweden. The UK and Switzerland have not joined the scheme.
The Schengen visa was introduced following the signing of the agreement in 1985 in the Luxembourg town from which it took its name. It authorises the holder to stay in the zone for 90 days within a six-month period from the date of first entry.
The scheme abolished checks at the internal borders of the signatory states and created a single external boundary.
Reference: Here