Category Archives: Travel

Dubai promises to astonish the world

27 Wednesday Nov 2013

Posted by in Culture, Dubai, Life, News, Tourism, Travel, World Expo

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Celebrations are underway in Dubai, UAE, after the city won the right to host the world’s fair in 2020, the first in the Middle East.

Ruler“To the world: we renew our promise to astonish you at Expo 2020,” Dubai’s Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum tweeted shortly after winning the bid.

“Dubai will bring to life our vision: Connecting Minds, Creating the Future.”

Rival bids came from Ekaterinburg, Russia; Sao Paulo, Brazil and Izmir, Turkey.

My previous post on Expo 2020

My previous post on Expo 2020

Dubai was the front-runner from the very beginning of the bidding process, and on Wednesday it won in all three rounds of voting by member countries of the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris.

“Expo 2020 will breathe new life into the ancient role of the Middle East as a melting pot for cultures and creativity,” Sheikh Mohammed said.

“Our goal is to build a better future for the region’s youth. The UAE will achieve it through collaboration and inspiration at Expo 2020.”

Expo3The BIE noted that in just a few decades, Dubai had become one of the world’s most modern, innovative and technological cities, attracting investors and workers from more than 200 countries.

“With a target of 25 million visitors, the Expo will continue building Dubai and the UAE’s status as a world hub…”

Canada and Britain were among the countries supporting the Dubai bid. Baird2

Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird congratulated Dubai, saying in a tweet that it was the right proposal, right place and right time.

Sheikh Mohammed’s photo is courtesy of Dubai Government.

Dubai is poised to win Expo 2020

24 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by in Culture, Dubai, Life, People, Social, Travel

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uae2Delegates from nearly 170 countries are meeting in Paris this week to choose the host of the 2020 World Expo.

The competition is between front-runner Dubai, UAE, and Ekaterinburg, Russia; Sao Paulo, Brazil and Izmir, Turkey.

All indications are that the Bureau International des Expositions will overwhelmingly choose Dubai on Nov. 27.

There are many reasons for that, primarily no other city competing for the world’s fair can match what Dubai offers – it has ultra-modern infrastructure, solid financial backing and above all an impeccable track record of hosting mega events.

The Dubai Airshow that concluded just last week is just an example. It generated a record US$206 billion in business for Boeing, Airbus and others.

Dubai has also won the endorsements of several countries, including Britain, France and Canada.

“Canada believes it is time for the Middle East to host the world at a time of such hope and challenge in the region, and Dubai is best placed to bring together the most diverse group of peoples from around the world, to share ideas, aspirations, and concrete solutions for the future,” Foreign Affairs Minister John Baird said in a statement earlier this month.

“Canada’s support for Dubai reflects our commitment to the dynamism, hope and future of emerging economies in the region and beyond.” Bid2

Former U.S. president Bill Clinton, a frequent visitor to Dubai, and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates also have endorsed Dubai’s bid.

“Dubai’s model of shared prosperity is more important today than ever and an inspiration to many countries in the Middle East,” Clinton told students of the American University of Dubai in April.

RulerDubai under its charismatic Ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has made dramatic progress in the past few years.

The emirate has delivered everything it ever promised. Expo 2020 will be no different. It would be another jewel in Dubai’s crown.

But win or lose, Dubai has made its case.

“The UAE will be successful whether it wins the bid or not, as we are working and moving forward with various development plans,” Sheikh Mohammed was quoted as saying this month.

All photos are courtesy of Dubai Expo 2020 and Dubai Government. The video, “Then and Now,” is from YouTube. 

Boeing 777X takes off with record orders

17 Sunday Nov 2013

Posted by in Aircraft, Airlines, Aviation, Travel

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Boeing 777-8X and 777-9X. Boeing photo.

Boeing’s newest aircraft – the 777-8X and 777-9X. Boeing photo.

Boeing made history on the opening day of the Dubai Airshow, announcing record-breaking orders worth almost $100 billion for its new 777X airplanes. The American aircraft maker said Sunday the orders for 259 airplanes represented the largest product launch in commercial jetliner history by dollar value.

Dubai flag carrier Emirates led the way with an order for 150 of the aircraft. Other Gulf airlines followed suit, with Etihad of Abu Dhabi ordering 25 and Qatar Airways 50. Joining them was the German airline Lufthansa with a commitment for 34 aircraft.

“We are proud to partner with each of these esteemed airlines to launch the 777X – the largest and most-efficient twin-engine jetliner in the world,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner.

“Its ground-breaking engine technologies and all-new composite wing will deliver unsurpassed value and growth potential to our customers.”

The 777X is the newest member of the highly successful 777 family of long-haul airliners. It will be built in two versions: the 777-9X that offers seating for more than 400 passengers and the 777-8X, which will seat 350 passengers.

Boeing’s European rival, Airbus, also won a major order at the show, again from Emirates for 50 A380s worth $23 billion, boosting the airline’s fleet of the superjumbos to 140.

“The A380 continues to be the flagship of our fleet and after five years in operation it remains highly popular with our passengers,” said Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

The AIrbus A380 in Dubai. Airbus photo.

The Airbus A380 in Dubai. Airbus photo.

He added that the latest order will help the airline meet both fleet expansion and fleet replacement needs.

“By strategically placing the A380 at the centre of its business, Emirates is maximizing its leading position with each day of operations,” said Airbus president Fabrice Bregier.

The airshow has attracted some 1,000 exhibitors from around the world. It runs through Nov. 21 and more orders are expected in the next few days.

New Dreamliner completes test flight

07 Thursday Nov 2013

Posted by in Airlines, Travel

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The only Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner fitted with elements of the passenger interior has successfully completed its test flight. Boeing Dreamliner

The test aircraft, known as ZB002, flew from Paine Field in Everett, Wash., to Seattle’s Boeing Field on Thursday afternoon, the company said.

The four-hour, 18-minute flight tested various aspects of airplane performance. Ground tests on the airplane were completed earlier.

It was the second test of the Dreamliner 787-9 after a debut flight in September.

The 787-9 is six metres longer and can seat 40 more passengers than the Dreamliner 787-8, which went into service in October 2011.

Air New ZealandAir New Zealand is the launch customer of the 787-9. It has ordered a total of 10 aircraft.

The airline plans to use the aircraft on the Auckland-Perth route, starting next October.

Twenty-six customers, including Air Canada, have ordered 396 Dreamliner 787-9s.

All photos in this post are courtesy of Boeing.

Airbus pushes for more cabin comfort

28 Monday Oct 2013

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Even as airlines try to increase revenue by squeezing more passengers in, one leading aircraft maker is calling for a minimum 18-inch (46-centimetre) seat standard on long-haul flights.

Citing a study conducted in Britain, Airbus said Monday an 18-inch seat improved passenger sleep quality by more than 50 per cent, compared to the more common 17-inch (43-centimetre) seat.

In calling for more cabin comfort in the economy class, Airbusthe European manufacturer noted the rapid growth in long-haul flights.

It said in the past five years alone, the number of daily flights over 13-plus-hour flying time had increased from 24 to 41.

Airbus has also predicted that in the next 15 years passenger traffic will double and by 2032, the world’s airlines will take delivery of more than 29,000 new aircraft.

But lately, the focus of many airlines worldwide has been on making more money.

That worries Kevin Keniston, head of passenger comfort at Airbus.

“If the aviation industry doesn’t take a stand right now then we risk jeopardizing passenger comfort into 2045 and beyond –- especially if you take into account aircraft delivery timetables combined with expected years in service,” he said.

“Which means another generation of passengers will be consigned to seats which are based on outdated standards.”

But Airbus has its own vested interest in promoting a wider-seat campaign —  it  says it has always maintained a standard of 18 inch minimum in its long-haul economy cabins.

“However, other manufacturers are eroding passenger comfort standards by going back to narrower seat widths from the 1950s in order to remain competitive,” the company claimed Monday.

So, the stage is set for a PR war over cabin comfort.

Emirates sets sights on No. 1 spot

24 Thursday Oct 2013

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It all began with a start-up capital of just US$10 million and two leased aircraft in 1985.

The Emirates A-380 superjumbo.
The A-380 superjumbo.
Ready to fly - an image from Dubai Airport. - Emirates Photo.

Ready to fly – an image from Dubai Airport.  Emirates Photo.

Today, Dubai-based Emirates is one of the world’s largest airlines with one of the youngest fleets.  This week, Emirates unveiled plans that would make it THE largest airline in the world in seven years.

“By 2020, we will have more than 250 aircraft serving some 70 million passengers across six continents. It will make us the largest airline on the planet by international passenger traffic,” Emirates president Tim Clark told an international delegation appraising Dubai’s bid to host the World Expo 2020.

But Clark added that being the biggest airline in the world was not really the company’s end goal. The aim, he said, was to connect travellers from around the world to Dubai, and other destinations with just a single stop. Clark pointed out that more than a third of the world’s population lives within a four-hour flight from Dubai, and two-thirds within an eight-hour flight.

“The strategic location of Dubai makes it possible for us to serve almost 90 per cent of the world’s population with non-stop flights.”

The airline has grown exponentially since it debuted with Flight EK600 from Dubai to Karachi on Oct. 25, 1985.

This Friday, Emirates celebrates the 28th anniversary of its maiden flight - Emirates Photo.
This Friday, Emirates celebrates the 28th anniversary of its maiden flight. Emirates Photo.

Today, Emirates operates nearly 3,200 flights a week to 135 destinations in 76 countries, including Canada and the United States. It carried more than 39 million passengers in 2012-13. With 37 Airbus A-380s, Emirates is the largest operator of the largest passenger aircraft in the world.

It has 53 more on order and opened the first dedicated concourse for the superjumbo in Dubai earlier this year. It is also the largest operator of Boeing 777s, with 131 in the fleet and 64 on order.

But the airline’s rapid growth has hurt other carriers in the region and beyond.

According to one report, in 2011-12, Emirates flew more international passengers in and out of India than India’s own national carrier Air India.

That is a testimony to the success of the “Dubai hub” concept.

Dubai International Airport. Emirates Photo.

Dubai International Airport. Emirates Photo.

In 2012, Dubai International Airport handled 57 million passengers from 225 destinations. A second airport, known as Dubai World Central  Al Maktoum International Airport, will open to passenger aircraft in a few days, ahead of next month’s Dubai Airshow. The organizers of the world’s fair have yet to decide which city will host Expo 2020, but Emirates and Dubai are gearing up to welcome an estimated 20 million visitors that year.

Dubai leads the race to host Expo 2020

21 Monday Oct 2013

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With just over a month to go before a winner is named, Dubai is leading the race to host the 2020 World Expo.

A screengrab of Dubai's official Expo 2020 website.

A screengrab of Dubai’s official Expo 2020 website.

Already a tourist hub, the city is competing with Ekaterinburg, Russia; Sao Paulo, Brazil and Izmir, Turkey to host the biggest fair on earth. The Expo, which lasts six months, has never been held in any of the regions – Middle East, Russia and Latin America – bidding for it.The Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions will name the winning city Nov. 27.

This week, Dubai is presenting its theme to a delegation of more than 250 officials from the BIE’s 167 member countries.

“After Ekaterinburg, Sao Paulo and Izmir, Dubai is the last candidate city to uphold its project and present its theme… Delegates of the BIE, local authorities and experts will gather for the occasion,” the BEI says in a post on its website.

In the lead-up to the appraisal event, Dubai said the Expo will generate some 277,000 new jobs in the city.

Dubai has been hosting mega events for years, and the 2013 Dubai Airshow is set to open next month. As of Monday night, its official website had nearly 650,000 “Likes” and 42,000 followers.

The website also features an endorsement from a high-profile personality — Bill Gates.

“Dubai… has modernized itself and taken on tough projects, brought people together in a number of amazing ways,” he said.

“I think they would be a great location for World Expo.”

The Expo has been held in 11 cities, including in Montreal in 1967, in the past 80 years. The Italian city of Milan will host the next event in 2015.