Middle East & North Africa

Etihad's cargo division Etihad Crystal Cargo is to operate its A300-600 freighter aircraft between Abu Dhabi and Nairobi twice weekly following an interline deal with Astral Aviation.

Etihad Airways has appointed Ray Gammell to the position of chief people and performance officer and Jim Callaghan as general counsel and executive vice president legal.

Sharjah-based low cost carrier Air Arabia has approved a cash dividend of 10% of the company's share capital at its AGM on yesterday.

The first of the true VLJ air taxi aircraft - The Eclipse 500 - has been thrown a lifeline with the formation of yet another company to acquire and operate the assets of the failed business jet programme

Etihad Airways has expanded its codeshare agreement with Brussels airways to access destinations in Spain and the UK.

Emirates is launching its 'Journey Through India' campaign on its Indian routes.

Emirates airline has reached the milestone of its first full year of in-flight mobile phone services on March 20 this year.

The General Aviation Middle East conference which had been scheduled for April 6/7 has been cancelled.

Abu Dhabi based Royal Jet, has announced what it describes as a 'world-first' by becoming the only private jet charter company to offer its guests a personal chef, providing them with bespoke gourmet dining based on their own individual preferences.

Emirates has announced the appointment of Khalid bel Jaflah as vice president Commercial for UAE to further develop the company's operations in the country.

Qatar Airways will increase its services to Muscat from 15 to 21 weekly flights between the Omani and Qatari capital cities.

An Emirates Airlines Airbus A340 was involved in a tail scrape during take-off from Melbourne airport yesterday (March 21) damaging the aircraft and runway lighting. The aircraft managed to return after a fuel dump.

Abu Dhabi Aviation will operate flights to Sir Bani Yas island from Abu Dhabi on behalf of the Tourism Development and Investment corporation.

IT and communications service provider ARINC is to have its first application of its Oi onboard Internet software in service by the end of the year.

Emirates is switching to Boeing 777s for its Dubai to New York service because it is unable to fill the super jumbo after operating the service for seven months.

Qatar Airways has renewed its agreement with Sabre Travel Network to market its fares, schedules and availability through Sabre's global distribution system.

Etihad Airways has said it aims to increase passenger numbers by 15% to seven million in 2009 and is targeting a 20% revenue increase to $3 billion.

Emirates will introduce its double decker A380 aircraft on its Bangkok and Toronto routes from June 1 this year following the airline's decision to cull its A380 New York services.

Emirates seeks closer ties with rival Etihad but wants to remain a separate carrier, a German press report said yesterday in an interview with the company's boss. "We are still on our own and that is fine," Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum told the daily Die Welt, without elaborating on the form of cooperation under consideration with Abu Dhabi-based Etihad.

Dubai-based airline Emirates has reportedly delivered a 46-page list of problems it is having with the A380 superjumbo.

Dubai and Kuwait-based no frills airline Jazeera Airways has posted a net profit increase of 94.4% in 2008, despite last year's crippling fuel prices.

Dubai based Project Phoenix - the company converting used Bombardier CRJ regional jets into VIP business airliners has signed a partnership agreement with eJet Services Ltd. ahead of the first customer deliveries of the luxury conversion.

Turkish Airlines has launched a new service from Istanbul to Mashad in Iran, The flight between the two cities will operate three times a week and is Turkish Airlines third destination point in Iran.

Singapore Airways has selected National Air Services (NAS) to provide ground handling and support services for its flights into Kuwait International Airport.

Executive Aircraft Services (EAS) has opened its new 42x42 meters hangar at Beirut International Airport.