Unrest has little effect on Middle East airlines



Unrest in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria had only a marginal impact on Middle East airlines in April as demand for air travel surged 12.1 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The growth was more than double the gains reported in March, according to data from the International Air Transport Association (Iata), and reflected broader gains for April for airlines around the world.

The performance indicates "a return of confidence" to the region's long-haul operations, Iata said. "While political unrest in Bahrain, Yemen and Syria continued through the month, the impact was small as the three markets combined account for only 6 per cent of Middle East traffic", it said.

The Middle East, home to a number of full-service airlines that serve the transfer market between Asia and the West, benefited from a rebound in international markets. Demand for international flights grew by 16.5 per cent in April compared with the same month last year.

"While this is exaggerated by the comparison with April 2010, during which European airspace was closed due to the volcanic ash crisis, international travel markets in April had grown to reach a level 7 per cent higher than the pre-recession peak of early 2008," Iata said.

However, the airline industry outlook was clouded by cyclical events, such as the fallout from the Japanese earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis, said Giovanni Bisignani, Iata's director general and chief executive. "Unfortunately two things are spoiling the party - demand shocks and high jet-fuel prices," he said.

North African carriers dragged down the continent's performance due to lingering effects of the Egyptian and Tunisian revolutions as well as ongoing civil war in Libya. However, African carriers reported a modest 1.2 per cent growth in international markets compared with April last year, an improvement from the 7.1 per cent decrease recorded in March. The number of flights operated into and out of Egypt and Tunisia is down by about a quarter compared with last year.

Elsewhere, Latin American carriers reported a 25.9 per cent increase in international demand in April, higher than the 22.7 per cent recorded in March. "The region's airlines are continuing to benefit from the strong demand for commodities, and the dynamic growth of trade within the region and along trade lanes with Asia," the Iata report said.

North American carriers are also reporting strong demand in international markets, with travel up by 11.9 per cent, but domestic flights grew by only 1.2 per cent.

Domestic demand rose the most in many of the Brics nations, with Indian domestic expansion tripling over the past five years, while demand in China and Brazil doubled over the same period.

Emiratisation at work

Emiratisation was introduced in the UAE more than 10 years ago

It aims to boost the number of citizens in the workforce particularly in the private sector.

Growing the number of Emiratis in the workplace will help the UAE reduce dependence on overseas workers

The Cabinet in December last year, approved a national fund for Emirati jobseekers and guaranteed citizens working in the private sector a comparable pension

President Sheikh Khalifa has described Emiratisation as “a true measure for success”.

During the UAE’s 48th National Day, Sheikh Khalifa named education, entrepreneurship, Emiratisation and space travel among cornerstones of national development

More than 80 per cent of Emiratis work in the federal or local government as per 2017 statistics

The Emiratisation programme includes the creation of 20,000 new jobs for UAE citizens

UAE citizens will be given priority in managerial positions in the government sphere

The purpose is to raise the contribution of UAE nationals in the job market and create a diverse workforce of citizens

HOW TO WATCH

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Director: Magizh Thirumeni

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Rating: 4/5

 

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Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.

When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.

How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

Guide to intelligent investing
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY PROFILE
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Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
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The Freedom Artist

By Ben Okri (Head of Zeus)

How to avoid crypto fraud
  • Use unique usernames and passwords while enabling multi-factor authentication.
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Other workplace saving schemes
  • The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
  • Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
  • National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
  • In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
  • Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
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