Canada’s Bombardier will set up a new maintenance, repair and operations centre at the Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The hub, which is expected to become operational in 2025, will be able to handle up to four of Bombardier’s Global 7500 aircraft and can service the new Global 8000, the plane maker’s latest ultra-long-range model, Abu Dhabi Airports said in a statement on Tuesday.
“The Middle East is an important market for Bombardier with close to 150 aircraft, and we are pleased to be establishing a highly efficient facility in the UAE for our customers in the market and for those visiting from around the world,” said Eric Martel, chief executive of Bombardier.
“Abu Dhabi is a dynamic financial hub for business and commerce in the UAE and this service facility will provide significant benefits [and] quick aircraft turnarounds.”
The MRO centre will feature a hangar, a comprehensive parts depot and a suite of maintenance services, the airports operator said.
The demand for private travel remained strong throughout the coronavirus pandemic as wealthy clients sought alternatives to commercial flights.
A record for global business jet demand was set in the first half of this year and although the rebound is slowing, the gains on 2019 have held steady at about 20 per cent, according to a report by data research and consulting company WingX Advance.
The global business jet market will be valued at $26.77 billion in 2028, compared to $20.03 billion this year, Mordor Intelligence forecasts.
“We look forward to supporting Bombardier in the years ahead to witness the company’s contributions to business travel in the UAE and the region, as well as the aviation sector and economy,” said Jamal Al Dhaheri, chief executive of Abu Dhabi Airports.
“The presence of Bombardier underlines Abu Dhabi Airports' commitment to general aviation and is a major step forward to make Abu Dhabi the hub for general aviation in the region.”
Abu Dhabi Airports owns and operates Abu Dhabi International, Al Ain International, Al Bateen Executive, Delma Island and Sir Bani Yas Island airports.
The group recently raised its passenger forecast for the full year after a strong performance in the third quarter, as the aviation industry continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Passenger traffic across Abu Dhabi's five airports is expected to reach more than 15 million people this year, up from an August forecast of at least 13 million and a February estimate of 10.7 million.
A total of 4.7 million passengers travelled through Abu Dhabi's five hubs in the third quarter, up from 1.3 million passengers in the same quarter of last year, as the UAE capital attracted more airline customers and launched new routes.
Last month, Abu Dhabi Airports signed an agreement with French airport operator Groupe ADP to explore developing ground infrastructure for air taxis in the UAE capital.
“As the premium business aviation original equipment manufacturer in the industry, Bombardier is the perfect partner for Abu Dhabi Airports as it seeks to position itself as a key player in this dynamic and growing market,” said Mr Al Dhaheri.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Three ways to boost your credit score
Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:
1. Make sure you make your payments on time;
2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;
3. Don't max out all your debts: how much you maximise those credit facilities will have an impact. If you have five credit cards and utilise 90 per cent of that credit, it will negatively affect your score.
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
'Gold'
Director:Anthony Hayes
Stars:Zaf Efron, Anthony Hayes
Rating:3/5
Company Profile:
Name: The Protein Bakeshop
Date of start: 2013
Founders: Rashi Chowdhary and Saad Umerani
Based: Dubai
Size, number of employees: 12
Funding/investors: $400,000 (2018)
Company profile
Name: Oulo.com
Founder: Kamal Nazha
Based: Dubai
Founded: 2020
Number of employees: 5
Sector: Technology
Funding: $450,000
EGYPT SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Ahmed El Shennawy, Mohamed El Shennawy, Mohamed Abou-Gabal, Mahmoud Abdel Rehem "Genesh"
Defenders: Ahmed Elmohamady, Ahmed Hegazi, Omar Gaber, Ali Gazal, Ayman Ahsraf, Mahmoud Hamdy, Baher Elmohamady, Ahmed Ayman Mansour, Mahmoud Alaa, Ahmed Abou-Elfotouh
Midfielders: Walid Soliman, Abdallah El Said, Mohamed Elneny, Tarek Hamed, Mahmoud “Trezeguet” Hassan, Amr Warda, Nabil Emad
Forwards: Ahmed Ali, Mohamed Salah, Marwan Mohsen, Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan.
The UAE squad for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games
The jiu-jitsu men’s team: Faisal Al Ketbi, Zayed Al Kaabi, Yahia Al Hammadi, Taleb Al Kirbi, Obaid Al Nuaimi, Omar Al Fadhli, Zayed Al Mansoori, Saeed Al Mazroui, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohammed Al Qubaisi, Salem Al Suwaidi, Khalfan Belhol, Saood Al Hammadi.
Women’s team: Mouza Al Shamsi, Wadeema Al Yafei, Reem Al Hashmi, Mahra Al Hanaei, Bashayer Al Matrooshi, Hessa Thani, Salwa Al Ali.
Our legal advisor
Rasmi Ragy is a senior counsel at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.
Experience: Prosecutor in Egypt with more than 40 years experience across the GCC.
Education: Ain Shams University, Egypt, in 1978.
2020 Oscars winners: in numbers
- Parasite – 4
- 1917– 3
- Ford v Ferrari – 2
- Joker – 2
- Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood – 2
- American Factory – 1
- Bombshell – 1
- Hair Love – 1
- Jojo Rabbit – 1
- Judy – 1
- Little Women – 1
- Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You're a Girl) – 1
- Marriage Story – 1
- Rocketman – 1
- The Neighbors' Window – 1
- Toy Story 4 – 1
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
Why seagrass matters
- Carbon sink: Seagrass sequesters carbon up to 35X faster than tropical rainforests
- Marine nursery: Crucial habitat for juvenile fish, crustations, and invertebrates
- Biodiversity: Support species like sea turtles, dugongs, and seabirds
- Coastal protection: Reduce erosion and improve water quality
