Airline News - Africa / Middle East

Dec 18, 2006

Emirates Airlines

Emirates Executive Vice Chairman Maurice Flanagan remains imperturbably upbeat despite the challenges facing the global air transport industry. Bucking all recent trends, including fuel price increases that have pushed the fuel element of total airline costs from 13% five years ago to 30% today, the Dubai-based carrier continues its seemingly inexorable progress on the path to growth and increased profits. He pointed out that the catchment population within 8 hr. flying time of Dubai is currently 5.5 billion and is projected by the UN to increase to 7.8 billion by 2050. Within a 16-hr. radius the figure rises to 6.3 billion and is projected to grow to 9 billion by 2050. "If just 10% of the population in this expanded area travel by air, and 20% of that fly via Gulf hubs, then Gulf operators will have a potential customer base of 180 million in 2050," Flanagan said. Dec 11, 2006

Emirates Airlines

Emirates Executive Vice Chairman Maurice Flanagan stressed that no carrier should "do things just because other airlines are doing them." On the issue of alliances, for example, Emirates specifically has avoided joining the club. "Alliances mean you have to compromise systems and services to the alliance," he said, insisting this is something Emirates is not prepared to do. "You need to establish a clear business case to join an alliance. You don't need one not to join an alliance. We have no business case to join one, and we don't need to." Dec 11, 2006

Emirates Airlines

Emirates remains bullish on growth. Emirates Executive Vice Chairman Maurice Flanagan remains imperturbably upbeat despite the challenges facing the global air transport industry. Dec 11, 2006

Turkish Airlines

Turkish Airlines growth comes challenges, and VP-Commercial Orhan Sivrikaya outlined several at the airline's Ataturk International Airport headquarters Friday. A principal hurdle is the glut of small, low-cost carriers now operating in Turkey. Sivrikaya said THY remains committed to its full-service model but is planning a response "in the near future" by either launching its own low-cost operation at nearby Sabiha Gokcen International Airport or expanding its involvement in SunExpress, the Antalya-based carrier in which THY holds 50%. A capacity-constrained hub at IST, cost-cutting, a desire to increase its cargo business (it wet-leases one freighter and will convert an A310 next year) and the need to develop and mature its 24 recently launched routes also are on the agenda. Dec 11, 2006

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Dec 11, 2006

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