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Khaleej Times
8 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
Dubai: Some residents affected as Air India cancels two India-bound flights
Arjun Raj, a Dubai-based real estate executive, had been preparing for his wedding in Chennai, in the southern Indian state of Tami Nadu, this July. With the dates fixed and his sister's family ready to accompany him, all that was left was the final go-ahead for his annual leave. He hadn't yet booked the flight tickets, but Air India's AI906 was his preferred option. The timing was perfect for the family. 'I was just waiting for my leave approval,' said Arjun. 'Thank God we didn't book. It's not just any leave, it's my wedding. And now, this cancellation... I didn't expect it at all.' The flight was AI906 from Dubai to Chennai and was among the services cancelled by Air India as the airline grapples with widespread operational challenges and enhanced safety inspections. The airline has pulled back 15 percent of its international widebody operations, citing the need to stabilise services and reduce disruptions. Arjun Raj needed five tickets in total. 'Airfares are already skyrocketing, and with these cancellations, the seat availability has dipped further. If I had booked earlier, I would be scrambling now. But finding seats for five people on another airline, and at this short notice, is not going to be easy,' he said. Arjun had a narrow escape, but another resident of Dubai, Imran Shaikh, was not so lucky. Imran, a 32-year-old engineer from Gulbarga, in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, and living in Dubai, had booked an Air India ticket to Hyderabad weeks ago. He was set to fly on AI2204 in mid-July, paying Dh680 for a seat. Now, with the same flight cancelled and fares rising rapidly, he finds himself in an unexpected bind. 'I just checked today, the ticket prices to Hyderabad for that same date are now over Dh980,' he said. 'And they are only going up. The longer I wait, the harder it will be to find a reasonable deal.' However, he has not received a confirmation email or a message of cancellation yet. 'I haven't received any message or notification from the airline yet,' Imran said. 'I am currently monitoring the situation and not canceling from my side.'
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards: BankIslami named Best Islamic Bank in Pakistan
KARACHI: BankIslami has been named the Best Islamic Bank in Pakistan at the Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards 2025, a leading global benchmark for excellence in financial services. The award highlights BankIslami's commitment to its mission of Saving Humanity from Riba (interest) and its leadership in Pakistan's fast-growing Islamic finance sector. The Euromoney Islamic Finance Awards, now in their 16th year, recognize institutions that excel in innovation, integrity, and impact within Islamic banking worldwide. BankIslami's recognition came for its customer-first approach, innovative financial solutions, and focus on ethical, Shariah-compliant banking practices amid a global surge in demand for interest-free financial services. 'This recognition goes beyond financial performance—it reflects the trust our customers place in us and our dedication to delivering Shariah-compliant services that meet the needs of Pakistanis,' said Rizwan Ata, President and Chief Executive Officer of BankIslami. 'We're honoured by this global acknowledgment and see it as a call to do more for Pakistan', he added. Since its inception, the bank has played a pioneering role in developing Pakistan's Islamic finance landscape, from deploying biometric ATMs to being among the first to launch Islamic digital banking solutions. With a network of over 500 branches in 210+ cities, BankIslami has expanded its reach through targeted Shariah-compliant financial products tailored to both individual and business needs, including Hajj savings plans and SME financing. 'At BankIslami, we believe innovation guided by purpose creates lasting impact. This recognition belongs to our customers, who are at the heart of everything we do and have stood by us every step of the way. We are deeply grateful for their continued support and the shared journey that has brought us to this milestone,' said Imran Shaikh, Dy. Chief Executive Officer of BankIslami. BankIslami remains committed to advancing its mission by rolling out new Shariah-compliant financial tools, expanding its reach to more Pakistani households through technology-driven solutions, partnerships with community-based organizations, and promoting financial literacy for inclusive, ethical banking. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
