Tag: airport

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-Top News Abu Dhabi UAE News

Abu Dhabi airport expects high passenger traffic

Abu Dhabi airport expects high passenger traffic

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) on Thursday announced holiday traffic will increase almost 400 percent from 2020 as passenger demand, flight numbers and network presence expand…reports Asian Lite News

From the period running 22nd December to 2nd January, Abu Dhabi Airports estimates an average of 32,000 passengers and 102 flights per day will pass through AUH almost four times the passenger traffic reported during the same period last year (8400 passengers per day) and almost twice the flights (56). Passenger traffic (59,000 per day) and flight numbers (149 per day) still remain down from the same period in 2019.

Abu Dhabi airport expects high passenger traffic

AUH has reminded passengers to contact the relevant airline for the latest travel regulations and make sure to arrange all necessary validated documents before arriving at the airport. Furthermore, they were asked to check out AUH website to find their terminal location, reach the airport 3 hours early and to wear mask on at all times.

ADQ, Etihad have plans

 Etihad Airways and ADQ announced Thursday a proposed transaction that will support the ongoing transformation of Etihad Airways and the future growth of the civil aviation sector in Abu Dhabi. As part of the proposed transaction, a number of Etihad’s businesses providing airline support services will become part of a new ADQ aviation company.

Once the transaction is complete, the airline support services businesses will benefit from being part of ADQ’s broad mobility and logistics portfolio, which includes Abu Dhabi Airports and AD Ports Group.

The businesses included in the proposed transaction are Etihad Engineering, Etihad Airport Services Cargo, Etihad Airport Services Ground, Etihad Aviation Training, Etihad Secure Logistics and Etihad Technical Training.

Additionally, the proposed transaction will see two Etihad businesses join Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Company (ADNEC). Etihad Airport Services Catering will combine with ADNEC’s catering business Capital Hospitality, and Etihad Holidays will join ADNEC’s tourism promotion business, Tourism 365.

ALSO READ: Abu Dhabi deploys scanners on border

The proposed agreement marks the start of a new chapter for Etihad Airways, allowing the airline to further sharpen its focus on its core business and respond with greater agility to market opportunities as global travel demand rebounds from COVID-19.

The businesses joining ADQ’s new aviation company and ADNEC will remain key long-term strategic partners to Etihad Airways.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Categories
-Top News Dubai World

Dubai airport becomes 100% operational

Dubai airport becomes 100% operational (Photo WAM)

Terminal 3 is expected to serve more than 1.6 million passengers in the second half of December during the month’s peak seasonal travel period, reports Asian Lite News

Following the opening of the final phase of Concourse A at Dubai International’s (DXB) Terminal 3, the world’s busiest international airport is 100% operational with all terminals, concourses, lounges, restaurants, and retail outlets now open.

Terminal 3 is expected to serve more than 1.6 million passengers in the second half of December during the month’s peak seasonal travel period.

Dubai airport becomes 100% operational

Visitors to Dubai exceeded 1 million during the month of October and DXB reached the important milestone of 1 million passengers per week in November, with origin-destination passengers reaching 94 percent of pre-pandemic levels.

“Reaching the point where 100 percent of our facilities are now open and serving customers, plus the huge resurgence in passengers arriving into Dubai marks an important milestone for the aviation sector as well as for the city of Dubai and its economic growth. We took early steps to implement best-in-class hygiene and health protocols, fast track PCR testing facilities, and enhanced customer service and guest support resources to ensure the comfort, convenience and safety of travelers – and this has resulted in a strong recovery towards pre-pandemic levels of passengers,” said Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports.

He added, “This has been an enormous team effort and our employees and stakeholders have responded magnificently to the significant challenge of getting DXB back up and running at 100% capacity.”

ALSO READ: Spectacular Goa set to allure visitors at EXPO2020 DUBAI

The journey back to full operations following the closure in March 2020 began with the reopening of Terminals 2 and 3 and Concourses B and C for normal inbound passenger operations from June 22, 2020, following the easing of international travel regulations for residents by UAE authorities. Outbound travel for UAE citizens and residents was opened on June 23 while Dubai welcomed the first international tourists from July 7, 2020. Dubai Airports reopened Terminal 1 and Concourse D, home to over 60 international airlines, on 24th June, 2021.

Over past 18 months, there has been a steady increase in passenger traffic which has intensified in recent months. Traffic reached 10.6 million passengers in the first half of 2021, followed by robust growth in Q3 of 2021 and a surge in October 2021 which took the year-to-date passenger numbers to 20.7 million. With the busy holiday season to the end of the year showing further growth, passenger numbers are expected to reach 28.9 million by the end of 2021, 2.1 million more than the September 2021 forecast.

Paul Griffiths added, “The rate of recovery of DXB has exceeded most other airports of comparable size and highlights the positive international reputation that Dubai has as an attractive city that has taken decisive steps to protect its visitors and residents. The number of visitors to Dubai is likely to exceed pre-pandemic levels during the final few weeks of the year which is an excellent milestone on our journey towards full recovery.”

Categories
-Top News COVID-19 India News

Scindia instructs Delhi airport to introduce token system for Covid testing

Besides, the minister also called for a ‘token system’ for time slots for testing, thereby allowing the passengers to maintain social distancing…reports Asian Lite News.

Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia on Monday asked the authorities at national capital’s IGI Airport to ease passenger hassles by introducing more Covid testing facilities.

In a meeting with the authorities here, the minister called for “better crowd management” at the airport, sources said.

As per the Central guidelines issued recently, passengers from “At-risk” countries require to undergo Covid testing on their arrival in India.

Lately, images of overcrowded lanes leading to the testing counters have been widely circulated on social media. The pictures show violation of social distancing norms.

Besides, the minister also called for a ‘token system’ for time slots for testing, thereby allowing the passengers to maintain social distancing.

On its part, Delhi International Airport Limited’s CEO Videh Kumar Jaipuriar said: “Delhi airport has been making continuous enhancements in infrastructure and processes to manage the new screening norms for passengers arriving from ‘at-risk’ countries. The number of passengers pre-booking their tests on arrival have been going up every day.

“In addition to this, more and more passengers are opting for ‘Rapid PCR’ test over the regular ‘RTPCR’. Keeping this in mind, we have installed 120 ‘Rapid PCR’ test machines and provided for 20 dedicated counters for passengers who pre-book their tests. The tests are being completed quickly to minimise the waiting time.”

He cited that the current time taken from sample collection to providing reports stands at 60 minutes for ‘Rapid PCR’ test, and five hours for ‘RTPCR’ tests.

“We are also working closely with the immigration authorities to facilitate swift movement of passengers. For those waiting for their test results, seating arrangements have been vastly expanded and food counters have been made available in the waiting area,” Jaipuriar said.

ALSO READ-Omicron reaches India

Categories
-Top News Dubai UAE News

Dubai Airshow: Watch from Skyview grandstand

Dubai Airshow: Watch from Skyview grandstand

Visiting the Skyview Grandstand will be an exciting opportunity to some of the world’s most impressive military fighter jets and large commercial aircraft, reserved usually for people in the aviation industry…reports Asian Lite News

Dubai Airshow 2021 will welcome members of the general public, including families and children to witness the daily flying display between 14th and 18th of November from the purpose-built Skyview Grandstand, at Dubai World Central, Al Maktoum International Airport.

Dubai Airshow: Watch from Skyview grandstand

Timothy Hawes, Managing Director at Tarsus Middle East said, “We are looking forward to welcoming members of the general public to watch and enjoy the spectacular flying display at the Airshow. The Skyview Grandstand guarantees a perfect view from right beside the runway and for aviation photographers – the perfect picture.”

The flying teams include Al Fursan, the United Arab Emirates Air Force aerobatic display team; Russian Knights by the Russian Air Force; Surya Kiran, the aerobatics demonstration team of the Indian Air Force; and the Saudi Falcons, a BAE Hawk-equipped Royal Saudi Air Force aerobatic team.

Visiting the Skyview Grandstand will be an exciting opportunity to some of the world’s most impressive military fighter jets and large commercial aircraft, reserved usually for people in the aviation industry.

On Thursday, Sheikh Mansour bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum,  Chairman of the Dubai Council for Border Crossing Points Security, visited the Dubai Air Navigation Services (DANS) facility at Dubai World Central (DWC).

Sheikh Mansour commended the efforts of the teams at DANS who, under the leadership of Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Dubai Airports and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, continue to facilitate the growth of the aviation sector by ensuring the efficient delivery of services using innovative solutions and the latest technology, while maintaining the highest safety standards.

ALSO READ: IAF contingent to take part in Dubai Air Show

During his visit, he interacted with the women employees of DANS and hailed their contribution to the organisation’s achievements, stressing that the UAE is proud of its female role models. He was also briefed on the organisation’s focus on developing the competencies of UAE nationals and promoting gender equality at all levels.

As part of the inspection tour, he visited the DANS radar room, the simulator facility, which is the largest in the world, as well as the emergency room.

The tour also covered the private jet facility at DWC. He praised the efforts of the teams and their preparations for the week-long Dubai Airshow which commences on 14th November.

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Arab News News World

Kuwait Int’l Airport ready to operate at full capacity

The Kuwait International Airport is ready to operate at full capacity from Sunday…reports Asian Lite News

The airport will gradually operate commercial flights of all aviation companies in accordance with the government’s decision, Xinhua news agency quoted Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Director General Yousef Al-Fawzan, as saying.

The DGCA succeeded in operating under the challenges and requirements of the coronavirus pandemic crisis, he said, calling on airliners and passengers to abide by the Covid-19 safety restrictions needed to enter Kuwait.

The Kuwaiti government announced on Wednesday the start of the last phase of the five-phase plan for a gradual return to normal life, easing health restrictions in the country.

ALSO READ: Qantas to launch a new route from Sydney to Delhi

According to the government spokesman Tareq Al-Mezrem, the government decided to allow outdoor activities without wearing masks from Sunday.

In addition, the government will issue all types of visas for those who are fully vaccinated, Tareq Al-Mezrem said.

Categories
COVID-19 India News

First AI-based Covid testing facility at IGI Airport

The facility under the Garuda brand name is owned by AI company Thalamus Irwine….reports Asian Lite News

India’s first Artificial Intelligence-enabled Covid-19 testing facility for international passengers has commenced operations at Terminal 3 of the IGI Airport in New Delhi.

The facility under the Garuda brand name is owned by AI company Thalamus Irwine.

According to the company, the facility is run by an AI-system using computer vision technology and a paper-free backend for processing mass volumes of international passengers.

Presently, destination countries require an ‘Antigen Test’ negative report to allow the passengers inside their jurisdictions.

Industry players such as Lufthansa, KLM and Air France, among others, have had success using the facility.

After the test, passengers get their results in 10-15 minutes on their mobile phones.

As per the company, the passengers of an entire international flight can be tested within a couple of minutes by using the ‘scalable node architecture’, ‘complete digital systems for patient entry’, ‘AI driven process improvement’ and ‘SoP management’.

Besides, IGI Airport’s HOI app allows for seamless management of patient flow to the facility.

In terms of the technology, the system even monitors the SoPs and ensures employees and users are maintaining high levels of security and compliance standards in the sample processing room.

Also read:Rahul Gandhi tests positive for Covid 19

It cited that the facility eliminates majority of the bottlenecks associated with the need to test multiple passengers in quick succession.

The Cloud based infrastructure also ensures independence from physical storage on premise.

Furthermore, the facility offers several firsts such as AI based monitoring of every move the staff makes, so as to monitor the safety protocols such as adherence to SoPs during sample collection etc.

In case the SoPs are flouted, the system intervenes by alerting the employees to correct their behaviour and also informs the store manager.

Health worker collect swab sample testing for Covid-19 at CP in new Delhi on Monday March 22, 2021.(Photo:Wasim Sarvar/IANS)

In addition, the AI ensures there aren’t discrepancies between the results entered by the employees with those generated by the system.

Notably, the system acts as a second layer of protection to eliminate incorrect entry of data.

“This centre has been designed bearing in mind the current requirement for fulfilling last minute testing needs of the travellers, where the volume is large and time is of the essence and there is absolutely no possibility of downtime,” said Thalamus Irwine CEO Rishabh Sharma.

“Credit goes to DIAL’s visionary leadership in embracing technology as the frontier tool in ensuring bottlenecks can be eliminated and passengers can get a hassle free service towards creating a safer air traffic,” Sharma added.

At present, India has banned scheduled international flights. However, passengers can still travel to and from few countries under the various ‘Air Bubble’ agreements that have been entered by the Centre.

Also read:24 Covid patients die after oxygen leak