United Airlines has been given Diamond status in the first Airline Passenger Experience Association (Apex) Health Safety rating.
The first of the four major US airlines to achieve the standard, United is now considered one of the world’s safest when it comes to hygiene standards.
The Chicago-based airline was given the top rating available in the independently verified 58-point assessment. It is one of only nine airlines in the world to have Diamond status in the safety rating operated by one of the world’s largest international airline associations.
Other recipient airlines include Alaska Airlines, Abu Dhabi's Etihad, Saudia, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air Canada, Virgin Atlantic and Turkish Airlines.
To achieve the highest status, airlines must satisfy Apex that they fulfil several critical points during travellers' journeys. These are divided into categories that assess check-in procedures, testing and tracing, airport facilities, security, lounge facilities, boarding procedures, in-flight and arrival measures, and sanitisation partnerships.
What does hospital-grade clean mean?
Airlines with Diamond status are considered hospital-grade clean says Apex. Typically, medical facilities have been held to higher standards than most other industries and operate to well-established regulations when it comes to hygiene. From using disinfectants approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regular cleaning of high-touch surfaces, clinics and other medical facilities follow standardised guidelines for sanitisation.
The Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the aviation industry to devise a similar framework to hold airlines to a common standard for cleanliness. Apex's new scientifically-based certification uses independently verified health safety steps to rate airlines for their health and safety efforts.
"Every step that we take with airlines to set even higher standards for health safety for passengers ultimately help keep people safer in-the-air and on-the-ground,"
To be considered ‘hospital-grade’ clean, airlines must verify that entire fleets are fitted with Hepa filters. These filters can remove more than 99.9 per cent of the microbes in the air. UV disinfection or electrostatic fogging must also take place before each flight.
When airborne, airlines must ensure that crew regularly sanitise high-touch areas. Passenger flights must also be disinfected “at a hospital-grade level on a regular basis," outlines the Apex assessment.
"United Airlines' tremendous customer-centric investments definitively merited the Diamond level of health safety across a broad scoreboard of categories focused on passenger well-being," said Apex's chief executive Joe Leader.
How airlines are cleaning in the Covid-19 pandemic
Since the Covid-19 pandemic, most airlines around the world have adopted new cleaning procedures following guidance from the World Health Organisation, which has released several reports on the subject.
United earlier launched United CleanPlus, a partnership with Clorox and Cleveland Clinic. Collaborating with a trusted name in disinfection and the country's leading medical experts, United developed protocols designed to keep travellers safe on flights and at the airport. As part of this, United employs a full-time, on-site medical director, has rolled out touchless lavatories on select aircraft and is testing artificial intelligence to assist with temperature screenings and crowd detection.
In its Apex assessment, United was lauded for its use of ultraviolet light to disinfect sensitive components in the flight deck, the installation of several hand sanitiser dispensers on flights and its application of Zoono Microbe Shield, an antimicrobial coating approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The airline was also the first major US airline to mandate face masks for flight attendants, quickly rolling the rule out to all passengers and employees.
Other airlines around the world have also strengthened hygiene policies to achieve Diamond status in the Apex assessment.
Abu Dhabi's Etihad introduced Wellness Ambassadors on every flight and at select airports to provide assistance to travellers throughout their journey. It is also the only airline in the world to make Covid-19 testing mandatory before every flight, with 100 per cent of its passengers testing negative since August 2020.
Singapore Airlines began enhanced cleaning of its entire fleet using hospital-grade disinfectants and replacing seat covers and head rests on every flight. It also introduced a contactless in-flight entertainment system for travellers.
Navigating an unclear future
To achieve Apex's highest ranking, airlines must provide proof of any updated hygiene measures by way of pictures, videos and flight logs. This evidence is then verified by SimpliFlying, who convert it into a FlyQ score.
United's certification as a Diamond airline means that the company's initiatives were at least 200 points above the Gold-standard baseline established as the minimum required to ensure passenger safety and well-being.
“Airlines that attain over 400 FlyQ points are awarded the Diamond status, for providing hospital-grade health safety for passengers,” says the airline association.
"As more travellers return to the skies, Apex wants customers to know the verified steps being taken by airlines worldwide for their well-being," said Leader. "Every step that we take with airlines to set even higher standards for health safety for passengers ultimately help keep people safer in the air and on the ground.
The Apex rating is another tool for a travel industry that is trying to navigate its way out of one of the worst periods in aviation history.
After a challenging 2020, early 2021 sees the future of the industry remain unclear. Border restrictions, testing requirements and quarantine policies continue to act as barriers to travel, but hope prevails in the form of new vaccines.
Governments and aviation stakeholders are joining forces to devise plans for a progressive restart of operations. “It is likely that improved routine cleaning could provide reassurance to passengers and increase their confidence in the reduced risk of the transmission of communicable diseases in aviation processes,” documented the International Air Transport Association (Iata) in its Aircraft Cleaning and Disinfection During and Post Pandemic report published in June.
Airlines rated, not ranked
Airlines that wish to be rated by Apex can self-register for evaluation based on standards of cleanliness and sanitisation. Critically, the assessment provides a rating, rather than a ranking.
"We believe that health safety should not be a way for airlines to compete with one another. There needs to be a Gold standard that all airlines should meet to ensure passengers can trust the mode of transport," clarified Apex.
The airline alliance aims to certify 100 airlines across six continents by the end of 2021.
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
Fireball
Moscow claimed it hit the largest military fuel storage facility in Ukraine, triggering a huge fireball at the site.
A plume of black smoke rose from a fuel storage facility in the village of Kalynivka outside Kyiv on Friday after Russia said it had destroyed the military site with Kalibr cruise missiles.
"On the evening of March 24, Kalibr high-precision sea-based cruise missiles attacked a fuel base in the village of Kalynivka near Kyiv," the Russian defence ministry said in a statement.
Ukraine confirmed the strike, saying the village some 40 kilometres south-west of Kyiv was targeted.
If you go
The flights
Etihad (etihad.com) flies from Abu Dhabi to Luang Prabang via Bangkok, with a return flight from Chiang Rai via Bangkok for about Dh3,000, including taxes. Emirates and Thai Airways cover the same route, also via Bangkok in both directions, from about Dh2,700.
The cruise
The Gypsy by Mekong Kingdoms has two cruising options: a three-night, four-day trip upstream cruise or a two-night, three-day downstream journey, from US$5,940 (Dh21,814), including meals, selected drinks, excursions and transfers.
The hotels
Accommodation is available in Luang Prabang at the Avani, from $290 (Dh1,065) per night, and at Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp and Resort from $1,080 (Dh3,967) per night, including meals, an activity and transfers.
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
Started: 2021
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
Based: Tunisia
Sector: Water technology
Number of staff: 22
Investment raised: $4 million
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
Dubai Bling season three
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
UNSC Elections 2022-23
Seats open:
- Two for Africa Group
- One for Asia-Pacific Group (traditionally Arab state or Tunisia)
- One for Latin America and Caribbean Group
- One for Eastern Europe Group
Countries so far running:
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Red flags
- Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
- Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
- Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
- Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
- Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.
Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching
The specs: 2018 Audi R8 V10 RWS
Price: base / as tested: From Dh632,225
Engine: 5.2-litre V10
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 540hp @ 8,250rpm
Torque: 540Nm @ 6,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.4L / 100km
Muslim Council of Elders condemns terrorism on religious sites
The Muslim Council of Elders has strongly condemned the criminal attacks on religious sites in Britain.
It firmly rejected “acts of terrorism, which constitute a flagrant violation of the sanctity of houses of worship”.
“Attacking places of worship is a form of terrorism and extremism that threatens peace and stability within societies,” it said.
The council also warned against the rise of hate speech, racism, extremism and Islamophobia. It urged the international community to join efforts to promote tolerance and peaceful coexistence.
Milestones on the road to union
1970
October 26: Bahrain withdraws from a proposal to create a federation of nine with the seven Trucial States and Qatar.
December: Ahmed Al Suwaidi visits New York to discuss potential UN membership.
1971
March 1: Alex Douglas Hume, Conservative foreign secretary confirms that Britain will leave the Gulf and “strongly supports” the creation of a Union of Arab Emirates.
July 12: Historic meeting at which Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid make a binding agreement to create what will become the UAE.
July 18: It is announced that the UAE will be formed from six emirates, with a proposed constitution signed. RAK is not yet part of the agreement.
August 6: The fifth anniversary of Sheikh Zayed becoming Ruler of Abu Dhabi, with official celebrations deferred until later in the year.
August 15: Bahrain becomes independent.
September 3: Qatar becomes independent.
November 23-25: Meeting with Sheikh Zayed and Sheikh Rashid and senior British officials to fix December 2 as date of creation of the UAE.
November 29: At 5.30pm Iranian forces seize the Greater and Lesser Tunbs by force.
November 30: Despite a power sharing agreement, Tehran takes full control of Abu Musa.
November 31: UK officials visit all six participating Emirates to formally end the Trucial States treaties
December 2: 11am, Dubai. New Supreme Council formally elects Sheikh Zayed as President. Treaty of Friendship signed with the UK. 11.30am. Flag raising ceremony at Union House and Al Manhal Palace in Abu Dhabi witnessed by Sheikh Khalifa, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.
December 6: Arab League formally admits the UAE. The first British Ambassador presents his credentials to Sheikh Zayed.
December 9: UAE joins the United Nations.
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