The successful exercise paves the way for the phased transition of operations to the new terminal, beginning 14th October. The phased opening of the terminal, which is dedicated to Emirates, will be implemented in four phases to ensure that systems and processes are all in place and thoroughly tested. The aim is to make sure that all aspects of the customer experience at the new terminal are smooth and convenient when it opens to public. Some 3,800 volunteers from the public were involved in the final simulation which was focused on testing both the arrival and departure processes as well...

Dubai Airports has announced that a phased transition of operations to Dubai International’s new Terminal 3 will start from October 14, 2008.
The ‘soft’ opening will be implemented in four phases, to ensure that systems and processes are working to the highest standards of efficiency

, enabling customers to make their way through the facility as easily and speedily as possible. The Emirates Airline-dedicated terminal is currently undergoing operational readiness trials to ensure that customers have an unmatched experience, whether arriving, departing or in transit.HH Sheikh Ahmed...

Etihad Airways is to provide customers with access to the the Maldives following an extension of its existing codeshare agreement with Sri Lankan Airlines.

Under the deal the Abu Dhabi-based airline will place its two-letter 'EY' code on all of Sri Lankan Airlines' services between the Sri Lankan capital of Colombo and Mahe, the main city in the Maldives. Etihad has code-shared with Sri Lankan Airlines since September 2007, an agreement that up until now has only applied to flights between Abu Dhabi and Colombo.

Etihad Airways has reported a 35% rise in passenger numbers in the first nine months of this year compared to the same period last year. The Abu Dhabi-based airline carried 4.4 million passengers across its current network of 48 destinations, compared to 3.3 million for the same period in 2007 between January 1 and September 30. Seat factors in the same period averaged of 75%, representing a year-on-year increase of seven percentage points, the airline said in a statement.

Government-owned Emirates Airline said today the global financial crisis will not curb the airline's expansion plans, reported Reuters. Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al-Maktoum was quoted as saying, 'we have no problem in our aircraft financing,' while he visited the Cityscape property exhibition in Dubai.

The number of passengers RJ transported increased from 255.000 in August 2007 to 295.000 in August this year, a 16% increase. Moreover, the seat factor grew from 81% to 82% for the same month. The number of departures performed by RJ aircraft on its network, which counts 56 destinations, went up by 13%, hence the number of departures increased from 2,976 flights in August 2007 to 3,364 flights last August.

Aircraft km also grew by 13%, registering 9900 flying hours, where it increased by 14% and the uplifted cargo carried on board RJ aircraft logged a 13% increase. At the same time fuel...