Latest news with #AhmedBinSaeedAlMaktoum
Gulf Today
02-06-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Emirates to reintroduce Damascus services after 14 years from July 16
Emirates is set to reintroduce flights to Damascus from July 16, 2025. Operations were suspended to the Syrian capital in 2012, and the return of services follow a comprehensive evaluation in conjunction with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). The airline will initially start with three weekly services on Monday, Wednesday and Sunday, with plans to expand to four weekly flights from Aug.2, with an additional flight on Saturday. Emirates will expand its Damascus services to daily operations, effective Oct.26. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group, said, "Emirates is pleased to restart operations to Damascus and support Syria's road ahead by providing better choice and connectivity, essential economic links for inwards investment as well as opening new trade lanes and global market access for the country. Re-establishing air travel and connectivity is also good news for our customers that make up the expansive Syrian diaspora across the Americas, Europe and the GCC, who are eager to fly back home and reconnect to their roots, and leverage their knowledge, skills, expertise and resources in ongoing development efforts. "We would like to thank the Syrian authorities for their support in strengthening connectivity between Dubai and Damascus and look forward to boosting links to and from the country through our regularly scheduled operations.' Emirates' services to Damascus will operate with a 302-seater Boeing 777-200LR. The flights will open up new opportunities for travellers to conveniently connect to and from the airline's network of nearly 150 destinations and will support the UAE's efforts to strengthen bilateral ties and support Syrian aspirations to rebuild and attract foreign investment across key sectors such as energy, construction and agriculture. Emirates customers flying to and from Damascus will also benefit from the airline's codeshare partnership with flydubai, which will complement its flight schedule and provide more options and convenience when flying in and out of the Syrian capital. Emirates commenced services to Damascus in 1988, and prior to suspending operations in 2012 the airline carried over 2.1 million passengers in and out of Syria. The airline currently flies to 13 cities in the Middle East/GCC, serving the region with a total of 191 weekly flights. WAM
Gulf Today
16-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Deal signed to strengthen UAE's position as a global financial hub
In the presence of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, and Eng. Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansoori, Chairman of the Emirati Human Resources Development Council, the Dubai Government Human Resources Department and ESCP Business School - Dubai Campus, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates NBD, the leading banking group in the Middle East, North Africa, and Turkey (MENAT) region, to launch a comprehensive programme aimed at building the UAE's financial leadership pipeline. This initiative signifies the commitment of both parties in advancing Emirati talent and strengthening the UAE's position as a global financial hub. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed during the Dubai Fintech Summit by Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Emirates NBD Group and His Excellency Abdulla Ali bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of the Dubai Government Human Resources Department. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding was also witnessed by His Excellency Essa Kazim, Governor of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), and His Excellency Saeed Al Attar, Director General of the Executive Office of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Their presence coincided with the celebration of the launch of a second financial initiative, the 'Dubai Financial Experts Programme,' a joint professional development programme between the DIFC and the Mohammed bin Rashid Centre for Leadership Development. This programme is designed to support mid-career Emirati financial professionals in their career advancement. The two new finance programmes uniquely bring together the expertise of the private, public and education sectors to build a pipeline of UAE National finance leaders from the mid-managerial level up to the C-suite. Hesham Abdulla Al Qassim, Emirates NBD Vice Chairman and Managing Director, said: 'Our new CFO programme directly contributes to the UAE's strategic goals, including the Emiratisation of critical leadership roles, while strengthening our knowledge-based economy, and positioning the UAE as a global hub for finance leadership, fintech innovation and overall excellence.' Al Qassim added: 'This programme builds on Emirates NBD's proven track record of Emirati talent development including our exemplary graduate programs, leadership development initiatives, and long-term partnerships with some of the world's leading tertiary institutions. We look forward to seeing this programme deliver tangible outcomes for the UAE's finance sector and the broader nation.' Beyond financial sponsorship of the programme, Emirates NBD will contribute capstone projects, ensuring practical relevance and real-world impact for participants. Emirates NBD will also provide invaluable professional insights and executive support, enriching the learning journey of all participants. Abdullah Ali Bin Zayed Al Falasi, Director General of Dubai Government Human Resources Department, said: 'We are extremely committed to identifying and nurturing the next generation of Emirati financial leaders. We will spearhead the selection of 30 exceptional finance professionals from across the government and private sectors to participate in this transformative programme. We will collaborate closely on capstone projects to ensure they directly contribute to our national strategic priorities.' The programme will be comprehensively promoted across key government and private entities, complemented by extensive outreach through Emirates NBD's digital marketing channels. Pr Bastian Dufilhol, Executive Director of ESCP Business School campus in Dubai, said: 'ESCP Business School, with its rich heritage dating back to 1819 and six campuses across Europe, is honoured to partner in this strategic initiative. We will design and deliver a transformative, five-month programme in Finance, leveraging our internationally recognised faculty, cutting-edge curriculum, and immersive learning experiences, including coaching, mentoring, case studies and simulations, to empower the next generation of Emirati financial leaders. Our master's in finance has recently been ranked as the first in the world, which reflects our unwavering commitment to academic excellence and innovation in financial education. ESCP is proud to contribute to the UAE and Dubai's education strategy in this field.' Emirates NBD (Emirates NBD) is a leading banking group in the MENAT (Middle East, North Africa and Turkey) region with a presence in 13 countries, serving over 9 million active customers. As of 31st March 2025, total assets were Dhs 1 trillion, (equivalent to approx. $272 billion). The Group has operations in the UAE, Egypt, India, Türkiye, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Russia and Bahrain and representative offices in China and Indonesia with a total of 839 branches and 4,539 ATMs / SDMs. Emirates NBD is the leading financial services brand in the UAE with a Brand value of $4.54 billion.
Gulf Today
07-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Ajman-based Indian father of two wins $1m from Dubai Duty Free draw
Dubai Duty Free has announced the winner of its 500th Millennium Millionaire draw, marking a significant milestone for the long-running promotion that has transformed lives for over 25 years. The celebratory draw took place in Concourse B at Dubai International Airport and was attended by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Dubai Duty Free. His Highness joined the Dubai Duty Free Executive team led by Managing Director, Ramesh Cidambi, to conduct the draw and announce the lucky winner. Venugopal Mullacheri, a 52-year-old Indian national based in Ajman became the 500th winner of $1 million, in Millennium Millionaire Series 500 with ticket number 1163 which he purchased in Terminal 2 Arrivals shop on April 23. A Dubai Duty Free employee show the lucky number of the Millennium Millionaire promotion. A resident of Ajman for more than a decade, Mullacheri watched the live draw on Dubai Duty Free's official Facebook page and was ecstatic to hear his name announced. A regular participant in the Dubai Duty Free's promotion for over 15 years, Mullacheri is a father of two and works as an IT support for a company in Ajman. Commenting on his win, Mullacheri said, 'I'm delighted to become the 500th winner of the Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire. As a long-time participant in this popular promotion, I'm thrilled to finally be one of the many winners it has created. Thank you so much Dubai Duty Free.' Mullacheri, who hails from Kerala is the 249th Indian national to have won $1 million in the Millennium Millionaire promotion since 1999, with Indian nationals being by far the biggest purchasers of tickets. Commenting on the 500th series draw, Dubai Duty Free's Ramesh Cidambi said, 'Our sincere thanks to our Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum for joining us for this milestone Millennium Millionaire draw here today. The very first draw was made during the Dubai Airshow back in November 1999 and over the years this promotion has changed people's lives. Congratulations to Mullacheri, our 500th $1 million winner and to all of our many winners over the years.' Also present at the draw were Salah Tahlak, Deputy Managing Director, Sinead El Sibai, SVP – Marketing, Mona Al Ali, SVP – HR, Michael Schmidt, SVP – Retail and Zayed Al Shebli, SVP – Loss Prevention & Corporate Security. Tickets for the milestone series were sold out in 7 days after it went live on April 21 — significantly faster than the average 20-day sales cycle of a regular Millennium Millionaire series. 37% of the tickets were sold out in the first 12 hours. Participants in the Series 500 represent 123 nationalities, with the top three being Indian, British and Pakistani.
Gulf Today
06-05-2025
- Business
- Gulf Today
Airport Show takes off in Dubai with broad global participation
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, opened on Tuesday the 24th edition of Airport Show at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), which will run till May 8, 2025. He toured the B2B exhibition pavilions accompanied by top aviation officials and industry stakeholders and engaged with various exhibitors and learning more about the latest technologies shaping the airport industry. More than 6,000 trade visitors from 30 countries are attending the Middle East, Africa and South Asia's (MEASA) largest airport industry B2B platform to explore innovations and technologies that shape future airports including advances in enhancing the passenger experience, airport traffic management, airport carbon-reduction and sustainability, digitalization, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). The three-day dedicated airport industry platform welcomes participation by 140 exhibitors from 22 countries who will meet, network and do business with highly-qualified 150+ buyers from over 70 organisations from 30 countries. This year's Airport Show is opened in the wake of the Middle East and neighbouring regions experiencing a significant surge in airport expansion projects, driven by a robust recovery in global aviation and optimistic projections for passenger growth. With expectations to handle approximately 1.1 billion passengers annually by 2040 — up from 405 million in 2019 — the Middle East is investing heavily in infrastructure to meet this demand. HH Sheikh Ahmed remarked: 'Dubai's aviation sector is on a clear upward trajectory, driven by infrastructure expansion and the adoption of new technologies. As major contributors to our economy and global connectivity, both Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) will continue to play a leading role in shaping the future of air travel through 2030s and beyond, delivering world-class performance and operational excellence. We remain firmly on our journey of progress, with many more milestones ahead in strengthening Dubai's global reputation. 'Since 2001, the Airport Show has had a long-standing presence in Dubai, and I am confident that this 24th edition will further support the growth of the regional aviation industry. I wish the organisers and participants every success as we look ahead to a landmark Silver Jubilee edition in 2026.' There are two conferences – Global Airport Leaders' Forum, and Women in Aviation Middle East Conference – co-located with 30+ sessions and 70+ aviation leaders and expert speakers. The 12th Global Airport Leader's Forum (GALF) designed to take forward the aviation knowledge-enhancement agenda with keynote speeches from Lt. Gen. Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General, General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA), HE Abdulla Al Shamsi, Director of Engineering, Dubai Aviation Engineering Projects (DAEP) and HE Ahmad Ali Belqaizi, Executive Director, Aviation Safety and Environment Sector, Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA). Also co-located is the Women in Aviation Middle East Chapter's Conference and Awards taking place on the third day of Airport Show. This year's new attractions include the GSE Zone, Airport Tech Pavilion, and Airport Design Hub. Being held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, Airport Show is organised by RX, a global company that organizes about 350 events across the world, to provide participants valuable insights into issues and technologies shaping the airports in the ever-evolving competitive global business landscape. The Airport Show is designed to serve the US$1 trillion airport development market in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. May Ismail, Event Manager at RX Middle East, said the Airport Show has been growing each passing year as it is tailored to the needs and requirements that the airports and related domains require. Through making the availability of futuristic products and services, the Airport Show continues to serve this progressive industry a great B2B platform.' Global technology majors are showcasing the latest innovative products and services that improve efficiency and performance of the aviation industry. Amel Chadli, President of Gulf Countries, Schneider Electric, said: 'We are proud to be the 'Technology Partner' for the Airport Show showcasing our latest integrated solutions for the aviation industry from facility management to passenger experience and how we help airports around the world reduce their environmental impact'. 'Our presence at the Show reflects Schneider Electric's deep commitment to shaping the future of aviation through digitalization and electrification. As the aviation industry in the Middle East experiences unprecedented growth, our strategic objective is to empower airports to scale efficiently — with intelligent, secure, and resilient systems that elevate the passenger experience. More than 6,000 trade visitors from 30 countries are attending the Middle East, Africa and South Asia's (MEASA) largest airport industry B2B platform to explore innovations
Arabian Business
05-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Dubai Airport Show 2025 to put $1tn airport development market in spotlight
The 24th edition of the Airport Show opens on May 6 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) with the participation of experts, aviation stakeholders, decision-makers, airport operators, and other players of the airport industry along with top-rung government officials. The event is held under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group. Over three days, from May 6 to May 8, the Middle East, Africa and South Asia's (MEASA) largest airport industry B2B platform, is due to draw more than 6,000 attendees from more than 30 countries, to explore innovations and technologies that shape future airports including advances in enhancing the passenger experience, airport traffic management, airport carbon-reduction and sustainability, digitalisation, and Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Dubai Airport Show 2025 This edition is being attended by more than 140 exhibitors from more than 20 countries who will meet, network and do business with highly-qualified buyers from over 70 organisations from 30 countries. Confirmed buyers are coming from airports, airlines, ground handlers and consultants from: Armenia Bahrain Croatia Djibouti Egypt Ghana India Iraq Italy Jordan Kenya Kuwait Lebanon Malawi Malaysia Maldives Morocco Nigeria Oman Pakistan Qatar Rwanda Saudi Arabia Seychelles Sri Lanka Tanzania Turkey Uganda Uzbekistan Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum said: 'Dubai International (DXB) has retained its position as the world's leading airport for international passengers for the 11th consecutive year, and traffic across both our airports continues to grow steadily. 'Our aviation sector, from airports and airlines to the wider infrastructure, is a key pillar of Dubai's economic progress and global reach. 'We have made consistent investments to expand and upgrade our airports, strengthening Dubai's role as a global gateway. Over the past two decades, Dubai has provided the ideal environment for the Airport Show to grow into a prominent industry platform, a reflection of the city's broader role in shaping the future of global aviation. 'With the planned expansion of Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), we are now setting the stage for a new era of global benchmarks in airport development. 'Beginning in 2001, I have seen the Airport Show grow leaps and bounds evolving over the years into the MEASA region's largest airport industry B2B platform. It offers key stakeholders, policy makers and technical decision-makers an opportunity to network, exchange knowledge and gain insights, and discuss growth opportunities and challenges facing the aviation industry. 'The 24th edition of the Airport Show will undoubtedly take the collaborative journey of growth to new levels.' Mohammed Abdulla Lengawi, Director General of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, said: 'We at the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority are pleased to participate in Airport Show 2025, a global platform bringing together aviation leaders and experts from around the world. 'Our participation reflects our commitment to strengthening Dubai's position as a leading global aviation hub through innovation, best practices, and a focus on safety, security, and sustainability. 'We believe that collaboration and knowledge exchange are key drivers of progress, and we look forward to engaging with our partners and exploring opportunities that support the growth of this vital sector,' he added. The Show is designed to serve the $1tn airport development market in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia (MEASA) region. Airports in the Middle East region will handle 1.1bn passengers by 2040. Africa is focusing on expanding existing hubs and building new airports to become a major aviation hub. According to CAPA-Centre of Aviation, there are now24 infrastructure projects at existing airports in Africa, to a value of $2.3bn, or $96m each on average. In Ethiopia, a new airport is under construction to handle 60 million passengers annually by 2040, aiming to become the largest in Africa. In Senegal, Blaise Diagne International Airport is under construction in two phases, with a final capacity of 10 million passengers per year. Rwanda's new $650m Kigali Airport is under construction. South Asia is witnessing rapid expansion and modernization of airports, particularly in India. The world's most populous country plans to build over 220 new airports by 2035. India's airport sector is expected to attract about $12bn in investment by 2030 for developing greenfield airports, expanding existing facilities, and upgrading infrastructure at existing airports. Special focus at the world-class gathering will on the $35bn development of Al Maktoum International Airport (AMIA-DWC), with a final a capacity of 260m passengers upon completion. Saudi Arabia, targeting 300m passengers by 2030, is constructing the $50bn mega hub in Riyadh. These two giant projects take up almost 80 per cent of spending on airport development across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Airport Show 2025 is set to deliver an enhanced experience with the launch of exciting new features, including the GSE Zone, Airport Tech Pavilion, and Airport Design Hub. By 2050, approximately 66.7m 'Baby Boomers' will travel by air in the Middle East. The Middle Eastern airports will require $151bn in investments by 2040 to handle an expected surge in passenger numbers. The Middle Eastern airlines saw a 9.4 per cent traffic rise in 2024, with capacity increasing 8.4 per cent and load factor rising to 80.8 per cent.
