FYI....

Please be informed and be aware that someone is using Star's identity for personal gains.

Here's Star's post regarding this matter :

"Attention All:

It has been brought to my attention that someone is using my identity in many circumstances like offering discounted tickets the swindlers are able to take cash & credit card numbers from victims. There are also numerous reports that a lot of people are impersonating me or using my pictures in some dating sites. Other version of this scam includes the use of chat portals such as yahoo messenger using my identity and when you are yet smart enough to know that these schemes are scams and have paid them the amount that they’re asking, you will just realize that when they would just vanish out of the blue.

Please be informed that I only use yahoo messenger rarely just to speak with my family & friends and I’ve never had any dating site whatsoever. Please spread the news that this type of modus operandi exist to your friend and loved ones so no more individual will be victimized by this scam."

Don't tolerate this kind of M.O.'s. Report it immediately to concerned networking sites.

EK capacity changes and Etihad's expansion this winter

I'd love to edit this but it might take some time...

EMIRATES :

As per 13AUG10 GDS timetable/inventory display, latest major network-wide changes to Emirates’ 2010/11 Winter operation, effective 31OCT10 as follows (latest operation overview also listed):

New Airbus A380 service
Dubai – Bangkok – Hong Kong A380 replace 777-300 from 01OCT10

For now, Bangkok service is 2 Daily A380. However, EK372/373, current A380 service, is to be switching to 777-300, but not updated in GDS yet (at time of 2nd update goes to press)

New Changes
Dubai – Amsterdam Daily 777-300ER, replacing -200LR/-300ER
Dubai – Bangkok EK374/375 Reduce from Daily to 6 weekly, Day x6 from DXB/Day x7 from BKK Canceled (overall reduce from 28 to 27 weekly)

Dubai – Houston NEW 2nd Daily service
EK213 DXB0240 – 0905IAH 77L x1
EK213 DXB0240 – 0905IAH 77W 1
EK211 DXB0930 – 1555IAH 77L D

EK214 IAH1145 – 1225+1DXB 77L x1
EK214 IAH1145 – 1225+1DXB 77W 1
EK212 IAH1825 – 1905+1DXB 77L D

777-300ER operates on this route once a week.

Dubai – Los Angeles NEW 2nd Daily service
EK217 DXB0315 – 0745LAX 77L D
EK215 DXB0820 – 1250LAX 77L D

EK218 LAX1000 – 1350+1DXB 77L D
EK216 LAX1600 – 1945+1DXB 77L D

Dubai – Moscow Domodedovo EK131/132 777-200LR replace -300ER on Day 6 and -300 on Day 7
Dubai – Perth EK420/421 777-300ER replace -200LR on Day x1
Dubai – Sao Paulo Planned Boeing 777-300ER service (replacing -200LR), postponed till 01DEC10
Dubai – Sydney 2 Daily NONSTOP service reduce to 1 Daily, EK414/415 temporary canceled. (Additional 1 Daily service via Bangkok unchanged)
Dubai – Tunis Reduce from Daily to 5 weekly (Day x46)

Previously noted changes:
Dubai – Amsterdam Flight number change from EK145/146 to EK147/148
Dubai – Athens EK103/104 A340-500 replace A330-200 from 02JAN11
Dubai – Beijing EK308/309 A340-500 replace -300
Dubai – Brisbane – Auckland 777-300ER replace A340-500 from 01JAN11
Dubai – Dhaka EK586/587 3 weekly service continues A330-200 operation
Dubai – Hong Kong 777-300ER operates 31OCT10 to 31DEC10, then switching to -200
Dubai – Kuala Lumpur EK342/343 continues 777-300 operation
Dubai – Luanda Boeing 777-200 replace Airbus A330-200
Dubai – New York JFK EK201/202 A380 service returns, replacing 777-300ER
Dubai – Perth EK424/425 777-200LR replace -300ER from 01DEC10
Dubai – Seychelles Increase from 6 to 7 weekly
Dubai – Tripoli EK743/744 Airbus A340-500 replace A330-200 from 01JAN11

As noted earlier on this blog this year, Airbus A340-500′s long-haul operation to Australia ends on 31DEC10 (DXB departure)

General overview:

Route

Dubai – Houston
7 77L EK211/212
6 77L 1 77W EK213/214

Dubai – Los Angeles
7 77L EK215/216
7 77L EK217/218

Dubai – New York JFK
7 388 EK201/202
7 77W EK203/204

Dubai – San Francisco 7 77W

Dubai – Sao Paulo
7 77L -30NOV10
7 77W -01DEC10

Dubai – Toronto 3 388
*
Dubai – Amsterdam 7 77W

Dubai – Athens
4 332 EK103/104 -31DEC10
4 345 EK105/106 -2JAN11
7 332

Dubai – Birmingham
7 77W EK037/038
7 77W EK039/040

Dubai – Dusseldorf
7 773 EK055/056
7 332 EK057/058

Dubai – Frankfurt
7 77W EK045/046
7 77W EK047/048

Dubai – Glasgow
7 77W

Dubai – Hamburg
2 77W
5 773

Dubai – Istanbul
4 772 EK123/124
7 77W EK121/122

Dubai – Larnaca – Malta
7 332

Dubai – London Gatwick
7 77W EK009/010
7 77W EK015/016
7 772 EK011/012

Dubai – London Heathrow
7 773 EK007/008
7 388 EK001/002
7 77W EK029/030
7 388 EK003/004
7 773 EK005/006

Dubai – Madrid
7 343

Dubai – Manchester
7 388 EK017/018
7 77W EK019/020

Dubai – Milan Malpensa
7 343 EK091/092
7 343 EK093/094

Dubai – Moscow Domodedovo
7 345 EK133/134
5 77W EK131/132
2 77L

Dubai – Munich
7 332 EK051/052
7 773 EK049/050

Dubai – Newcastle
7 332

Dubai – Nice
7 332

Dubai – Paris CDG
7 388 EK073/074
6 773 EK075/076
1 772

Dubai – Prague
7 332

Dubai – Rome
7 332 EK095/096
7 773 EK097/098

Dubai – Venice
7 343

Dubai – Vienna
7 77W

Dubai – Zurich
7 772 EK085/086
7 77W EK087/088

*
Dubai – Accra – Abidjan
7 343

Dubai – Addis Ababa – Entebbe
7 77W -31DEC10
7 345 -01JAN11

Dubai – Cairo
4 77W 3 772 EK923/924
3 332 3 772 EK927/928

Dubai – Cape Town
7 77W

Dubai – Casablanca
7 345

Dubai – Dakar
5 343

Dubai – Dar es Salaam
7 345

Dubai – Durban
7 332

Dubai – Johannesburg
7 77W EK761/762
7 77W EK763/764
7 77W EK765/766


Dubai – Khartoum
7 345

Dubai – Lagos
7 345 EK781/782
7 77W EK783/784

Dubai – Luanda
3 772

Dubai – Mauritius
4 773 EK701/702
2 773 1 77W EK3703/3704
2 77W EK3705/3706


Dubai – Nairobi
7 332 EK719/720
7 772 EK721/722

Dubai – Seychelles
5 345 EK705/706
2 345 EK707/708

Dubai – Tripoli

EK743/744 3 332
3 345 -02JAN11
03JAN11-
EK745/746 7 345

Dubai – Tunis 5 332
*
Dubai – Ahmedabad
6 332 EK538/539
4 332 EK540/541

Dubai – Bangalore
7 332 EK564/565
5 332 1 772 EK566/567
7 332 EK568/569

Dubai – Bangkok
7 388
6 773 EK372/373
EK374/375
Dubai – Bangkok – Hong Kong 7 388
Dubai – Bangkok – Sydney – Christchurch 7 77W
Dubai – Beijing 7 345
7 388 EK308/309
EK306/307
Dubai – Brisbane – Auckland 7 345
7 77W -31DEC10
01JAN11-
Dubai – Chennai
EK542/543 6 332 1 773
3 772
3 332
1 773 -28JAN11
29JAN11-
Dubai – Chennai
EK544/545 2 772
2 773
2 77W
1 332
EK546/547 3 772 4 332
Dubai – Colombo 5 77W 2 773
4 77W 3 773 -09EB11
10EB11-
Dubai – Colombo – Singapore 5 77W 2 773
Dubai – Delhi 6 772 1 77W
5 773 2 772
7 332
7 332 EK510/511
EK512/513
EK514/515
EK516/517
Dubai – Dhaka 7 77W
6 77W 1 772
3 332 EK582/583
EK584/585
EK586/587
Dubai – Guangzhou 7 77W
Dubai – Hong Kong 7 77W
7 772 -31DEC10
01JAN11-
Dubai – Hyderabad 7 332
7 332 EK526/527
EK528/529
EK524/525 4 332
1 773
2 772
Dubai – Islamabad 2 77W
2 77W 1 772 EK612/613
EK614/615
Dubai – Jakarta 7 77W
7 77W EK356/357
EK358/359
Dubai – Karachi
EK600/601
*
EK602/603
EK604/605
EK606/607
2 773 1 332
4 77W
2 772 5 332
7 332
6 332 1 77W
Dubai – Kochi
EK530/531
*
EK532/533
5 772 1 77W
1 332
4 772 3 332
Dubai – Kolkata 5 332
7 332 EK572/573
EK570/571
Dubai – Kozhikode 5 772
5 332 1 772 EK560/561
EK562/563
Dubai – Kuala Lumur 7 773
7 77W EK342/343
EK346/347
Dubai – Kuala Lumur – Melbourne 7 77W
Dubai – Lahore 3 77W
1 77W EK622/623
EK624/625
Dubai – Male 7 77W
Dubai – Male – Colombo 5 773 2 772
Dubai – Manila 7 77W
7 77W EK332/333
EK334/335
Dubai – Melbourne – Auckland 7 77W
Dubai – Mumbai
EK500/501
EK502/503
EK504/504
*
EK506/507
EK508/509
7 77W
6 77W 1 772
1 77W 3 773 3 772
7 332
7 332
Dubai – Osaka Kansai 7 77W
Dubai – Peshawar 2 772
Dubai – Perth
EK420/421 6 77L 1 77W
Dubai – Perth
EK424/425 7 77W
7 77L -30NOV10
01DEC10-
Dubai – Seoul Incheon 7 388
Dubai – Shanghai Pu Dong 7 77W
7 343 EK302/303
EK304/305
Dubai – Singapore – Brisbane 7 77W
Dubai – Singapore – Melbourne 7 77W
Dubai – Sydney – Auckland 7 388
Dubai – Thiruvananthauram 5 332
7 332 EK520/521
EK522/523
Dubai – Tokyo Narita 5 77W
*
Dubai – Amman
EK901/902
*
EK903/904
3 772 3 332
1 77W
4 332 2 772
1 773
Dubai – Bahrain
EK835/836
EK837/838
EK839/840
7 332
7 332
4 332 2 772
1 773
Dubai – Beirut
EK953/954
*
EK955/956
EK957/958
4 77L 2 345
1 77W
3 332
4 332 2 345
1 77W
Dubai – Damascus 7 332
4 772 3 332 EK911/912
EK913/914
Doha – Dammam
EK821/822
*
EK823/824
EK825/826
1 77W 1 332
1 772
2 332
1 77W 1 772
Dubai – Doha
EK847/848
EK841/842
*
EK843/844
EK849/850
EK845/846
7 332
2 77W 3 332
2 772
6 332 1 773
6 332 1 77W
3 332 3 772
1 77W
Dubai – Jeddah 7 388
Dubai – Kuwait
EK853/854
EK855/856
*
EK857/858
*
EK859/860
7 332
1 773 3 332
2 77W 1 772
2 772 1 773
3 332 1 77W
5 332 1 773
1 772
Dubai – Muscat 7 332
3 772 4 332 EK866/867
EK862/863
Dubai – Riyadh 4 77W 3 772
Dubai – Sana’a 7 332
Dubai – Tehran
EK975/976
*
EK971/972
EK977/978
1 343 2 77W
4 332
3 332 4 77W
2 332 2 77L
2 77W 1 772



ETIHAD:

As per 13AUG10 GDS timetable display, changes to ETIHAD’s planned 2010/11 Winter operation as follows:

Abu Dhabi – Almaty Day 6 service A320 replace A319 (overall remains 3 weekly)
Abu Dhabi – Cairo EY655/656 Daily A320 (instead of A320/330 mix)
Abu Dhabi – Chicago Day 3 service A340-500 replace -600
Abu Dhabi – Dublin Service maintained at 10 weekly
Abu Dhabi – Erbil Increase from 2 to 3 weekly
EY557 AUH0830 – 1035EBL 320 26
EY557 AUH1015 – 1205EBL 320 7

EY558 EBL1135 – 1515AUH 320 26
EY558 EBL1300 – 1640AUH 320 7

Abu Dhabi – Frankfurt Airbus A330-300 aircraft enters operation from 01DEC10
EY001/002 333 Day x357 332 Day 357
EY007/008 333 Day 246 332 Day x246

Abu Dhabi – Geneva Airbus A330-300 aircraft enters operation, gradually replacing -200
31OCT10 – 30NOV10 333 Day 4 332 Day X17
01DEC10 - 333 Day x17

Abu Dhabi – Islamabad Boeing 777-300ER operates 3 of 7 weekly, 4th weekly from 19DEC10, replacing A320
Abu Dhabi – Lahore Daily A340-600 service (selected dates operated by -500)
Abu Dhabi – London Heathrow By January 2011, all 3 Daily service are operated by either Airbus A340-500/-600 (EY017/018 Day 1 is A330-300)

Abu Dhabi – Manchester Airbus A330-200 replace 777-300ER during following periods:
01NOV10 – 05NOV10 / 16NOV10 – 09DEC10

Abu Dhabi – Manila Capacity increase, EY424/423 777-300ER replace A330-200 (total 12 weekly 777-300ER flight)

Abu Dhabi – Melbourne operating aircraft adjustment
345 Day x257 346 Day 257 (MEL departs following day)

Abu Dhabi – Paris CDG Operating aircraft changes
EY031/032 333 Daily
EY037/038 332 Day 13 333 Day 7

Abu Dhabi – Sydney EY454/455 operating aircraft adjustment
345 Day 15 346 Day 37 (SYD departs following day)

Abu Dhabi – Tokyo Narita 1 of 5 weekly operates with Airbus A340-500, replacing A330-200
332 Day x247 345 Day 7 (NRT departs following day)

As previously posted, ETIHAD is launching Daily Abu Dhabi – Seoul Incheon from 10DEC10


courtesy: airlineroute.net

a sign or coincidence?

Qatar Airways will be having it's open day in MNL at the Diamond Hotel on August 21 just a week after my end-of-contract date with my present company. That made me think about signs. It worked for a friend so why shouldn't it be the same for me. Yesterday I had my facial cleaning check up done and went to the nearest computer shop right after, to check my mails. I always check IPAM's website for updates regarding OD's and AD's of QR and EK. I was happy to know that QR, as I've said, will be having it's OD here in MNL again. Being ecstatic and all, I went to the department store to look for a pinstripe business suit. It just happened that the particular suit I was looking for just came in that day. It was literally fresh from the box. I tried it on and well, it felt good so I decided to buy it. Whether I get QR or not, it's going to be just fine. After all, I just saw a sign today (for EK). Now, I've been cutting off from eating rice and tomorrow I will be starting to do a daily 2-hr cardio as a preparation for the OD on the 21st. I told my friend that no matter what happen, I'm still going. It's a do or die situation.

PAL is also hiring URGENTLY but that's a different story. :)

Ola Madrid!

It's finally August 1 (actually August 2). Emirates has commenced flights to Madrid (MAD) and it will be serviced by the A330 fleet. Another milestone for EK as it opens its first route to Spain which AFAIK will be followed by BCN (Barcelona). Ola Madrid indeed! I've been ecstatic since this morning to blog about this. And that's just it =)

Addt'l info:

EK has upgraded service to Beijing (PEK) by sending one of their superjumbos, the A380. Shanghai (PVG) will also be serviced by the same aircraft on 01/01/11... =)

First Job, First Out

On June 23rd, I started working in a manufacturing industry as an FA Engineer. FA means Failure Analysis BTW. During my first week on the job I was having nostalgic moments regarding my dreams and that certainly added frustration to me. The point was, I really wanted to quit during that first week so bad, that I almost cried. During my 3rd week (last week), I can say that I was enjoying my job as I learn new things everyday from the job itself and from my workmates. Then IRONY happened. It was the day typhoon Basyang wreaked havoc in the country when my manager called me for somewhat I thought to be a meeting. There were only the two of us in the conference room when she started telling me about the status of the company. She had no choice but to tell me that I was one among the employees with probationary status to be axed from the company. It was really devastating to be in my position at that time. First job, yet this happened to me. Not to mention the adjusting I have to do again on the next job. I went home and told my mom the situation at work. I seriously cried while telling her my disappointments and how my plans will not be fulfilled. I kept on looking for signs why it happened to me and that somehow something much better will come my way. Only the assurance of my boss that she will help me find a more stable company for me kept me going. At least I won't look for jobs myself anymore and the referral could also assure me of securing the job. Oh well, they say that things happens for a reason and I am yet to know that reason. As I count my last days on the office, I'm just enjoying the company of my friends whom I befriended since I started working there.


BUT THAT WON'T STOP ME FROM UPDATING ABOUT EMIRATES... :D

England, July 17 (Reuters) - Emirates airline is set to place a $5 billion order for 20 Boeing (BA.N) 777 wide-body jets, aviation sources said on Saturday.

The order could be a key feature of the opening day of the July 19-25 Farnborough air show on Monday, when the Dubai-based airline is expected to hold a news conference.

Boeing declined to comment.

An order for 20 of the latest model of 777s, which seats 365 passengers, would be worth $5.4 billion at list prices.

Emirates, the largest airline in the Arab world, placed an order for 32 Airbus (EAD.PA) A380s at the Berlin air show last month and said it was likely to order more aircraft soon.

Source:
(Reporting by Tim Hepher, Editing by Andrea Shalal-Esa)((+331 4949 5452 paris.equities@reuters.com))

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSLDE66G0AJ20100717

Hopeless No More.. :)

It is true! Emirates has placed 32 more A380s on top of their 58 on order during the Berlin Airshow. They will be increasing frequencies to their current destinations and possibly adding more routes by the end of this year. With that additional operations, they are also looking for 700 pilots to cope up with the demand.

What are the odds that I won't be on one of those planes? I'm feeling a bit down lately and this is the boost I need to keep me going. Dubai will certainly be the Hub of the world and with that expansion, the possibilities are just limitless. There's a saying that good things comes to those who patiently waits-luckily, I'm very patient.

On Tuesday, a company here in Laguna will be offering me my starting salary. So I'm guessing that I passed my final interview last week. Finally, I will earn my own money but I'm still focused in achieving my true love and this will be my stepping stone. I know it's not related to the aviation industry but the work experience will somehow help me. It's a little bit funny because throughout the final interview, the words FA, Fly High (Flight High) were used by the interviewers during the interview. Could that be a sign? Honestly, my eyes lit up when I heard her said FA. I even ask what it meant but of course it's an engineering term so I really can't remember it anymore.

On A Bad Luck Streak + EK and QR New Routes

Can't think of a much better introduction than I'm winning on a bad luck lottery! I blogged about my broken pc before, but that's just the start. Two days ago I had my rubber shoes stolen in my garage. My dad had left the gate open when he went to the store to buy something. It's not him to blame, I guess it's just about timing and the robber's timing was just right. I've been taking care of that shoes for one year now. No scratch and white as if it were brand new, and the reason why I'm keeping it that way is because it's the only pair I have (so not a grab-all-the-shoes-you-want person). Oh, and that's not the only thing stolen from me. Included is a Dunhill Cigarette case with one Marlboro Lights stick in it and a lighter. Give me a break already! Last night my PDA fell as I was looking for a place with a good reception while standing on my bed. It ricocheted when it hit the floor and the result was devastating. As I turned on the power, All I can see is a vertical red line on the center of the screen and then it turned pitch black. Can you imagine the horror I'm facing last dreaded night? I guess not. Well, unless you're facing the same dilemma. I just hope that there will be a light at the end of this very very long and dark tunnel. I'm now looking for a service center that can fix my phone. It's an Imate 8502 PDA phone, so if some of you know where I can get help, please do message me or comment below this blog.

EK Update:

Emirates has announced that they will be lauching a service to Baghdad, Iraq starting on July 1. Oh boy, I'm so excited to be waken up by your daily wake-up call explosions. I sure don't mind DEADheading on that destination :)

QR Update:

Qatar Airways will be upgrading its equipment and flights to Copehnhagen (CPH) from A319 to A330 and from four times to daily service respectively. It will also begin flying to Barcelona, Spain (BCN), Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) and Sao Paolo, Brazil (GRU) this June. QR is also studying the feasibility of adding Oslo, Norway (OSL), Sydney, Australia (SYD), and Sofia, Belgrade (SOF) to its growing list of destinations.

Looks like Qatar Airways is not far behind Emirates...

It's just a matter of time before EK announce a new route again. DUB perhaps?? Btw, CPH is also on the plan. Review my previous post.

That got me thinking... Emirates or Qatar??

Well, wait for my next post. It's Pros and Cons time :)

Royal Brunei is in need of 40 Cabin Crew

:)

Click the smiley for details...

Dakar, Senegal

Starting September 1st, Emirates will start flying to the capital of Senegal, Dakar. Service will be five times a week every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Another plus one reason to join EK... and plus one to the continent of Africa! :D

BS prob

If you're having trouble seeing my chatbox, just browse all the way down. For some reasons I pressed a wrong button which made my page a complete chaos.. thank you! :D I'll fix it as soon as I find how to.. :D

AWOL

As you have noticed, I've been AWOL for quite some time now. It's just my stupid desktop gave up on me. And I have no internet connection at home coz' I'm thinking of switching to Globe's kickass 1mbps connection. Anyway, I would just like to update you guys what was happening in my life this past few months.

I just graduated last Mar. 26. Hurray finally! Now I can really concentrate on job hunting and on dieting. After extending a few years on a 5 year course, my hardwork finally paid off. Hardwork? yeah right! On the 29th I decided to go back to school to accomplish my clearance, as early as possible, to avoid long lines of students queueing for precious signatures of the concerned departments. One faculty definitely gave a new meaning to "precious" when we went to get our certificates for our EPP (English Proficiency Program, required for all students). He was really being bossy to the students and keep speaking English. I mean c'mon! I don't speak good English but I can tell who's being trying hard. I swear I was controlling myself to put my fist in his effin' face! He was the Director of the Language Department but hell, he doesn't deserve the respect we could have given to him. I know he is in somewhat "high" position but that doesn't mean he can boss people around. He has to learn how to respect other people regardless of their stature. I am so relieved that I finally got this out of my system. The lesson here is, You mess with my friends, You mess with me! BTW, I was just accompanying my friends that time. and one last thing. His signature wasn't even required for the clearance! Feeling much? so much for that.

I was supposed to go to NAIA last April 5 for my application as a PSA (Passenger Service Agent) or more commonly known as Ground Staff/Attendant. Unfortunately, I was having some issues with my face. You've guessed it! Pimple! :D So I decided to postpone it for a while until I finish my facial cleaning session on friday. I should probably go on Monday before boredom takes the best of me. If I get the job (I certainly hope so), this will be my stepping stone in becoming a cabin crew. I'm giving myself 6 months to be in shape and ready for the next assessment schedules. Some people just have to start somewhere before going to much larger venture. What's keeping me hype is the fact that QR and 5J are hiring males again. Woohoo! I'm actually considering applying for Duty Free positions in DXB. Desperation is to blame! I will do anything just to get to Dubai.

Emirates Update time!!

Emirates had just started flying to NRT on March 28! and I'm so looking forward for their first flight in AMS on May 1.
A380 will be replacing daily service of T7 in MAN starting on September
blah blah blah blah.. There are so many unfinished posts saved on my inbox here at BS but I was caught in a whirlwind where I seem to procrastinate stuff.

On a Wing and a Prayer (an article from the wall street journal)

Hi fellow bloggers and readers!

I just want to share this article I read from WSJ..

When Dubai's ruler Sheik Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum realized the full extent of the emirate's financial problems it was his uncle he asked to oversee the arduous recovery process. Few people have since become as synonymous with the U.A.E.'s efforts to emerge from the most difficult chapter in its 39-year history as Sheik Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, one of Dubai's most internationally recognized businessmen and one of the most senior members of its royal family.

As head of Dubai's Supreme Fiscal Committee, Sheik Ahmed is in charge of distributing the billions of dollars of bailout money that Dubai received from Abu Dhabi. And as chairman of Emirates Group he has been at the center of rumors that Dubai's airline, along with other key assets like the huge container port in Jebel Ali, might be handed over to Abu Dhabi in return for the larger emirate's help.

Speculation about behind-the-scenes bargaining mounted in January when Sheik Mohammed shocked onlookers by renaming the world's tallest skyscraper Burj Khalifa after the president of the U.A.E. just weeks after receiving more funding from Abu Dhabi.

But according to Sheik Ahmed, sitting in his modest office on the first floor of the old Terminal 1 building at Dubai International Airport, such terms were never discussed during the bailout negotiations. "We never really talked about any of our strategic companies with Abu Dhabi," he says. "I know it's always been the rumor. When you think about what Emirates has achieved I think anyone would want to have equity in it. It's a very successful business for Dubai."

Far from handing Emirates over to Abu Dhabi, or merging it with that sheikdom's own airline, Etihad, Sheik Ahmed believes the carrier can be a catalyst for Dubai's revival. Unlike other government-owned companies in the emirate—including Dubai World and Dubai Holdings—Emirates Airline is highly profitable and isn't struggling to service its debt or secure more financing from international banks for fleet expansion.

"The airline put Dubai on the world map," he says, adding that the airline's 32,000-strong workforce makes it Dubai's biggest employer. "We've put a lot into the Dubai economy. The number of units we rent within the local market, the expenditure of the staff and how much it brings people to Dubai. If it wasn't for Emirates, this market wouldn't have been able to grow as it has. It's one of the core businesses of Dubai."

Sheik Ahmed and a close-knit group of long-serving executives—including group vice-chairman Maurice Flanagan and president Tim Clark—have built the company into a global player with $55 billion of plane orders in the pipeline and the world's largest fleet of giant A380 aircraft. Emirates indirectly contributes roughly 40 billion dirhams ($10.9 billion) to Dubai's economy each year, according to Sheik Ahmed.

Running parallel to the rumor that the airline might be handed over to Abu Dhabi has been speculation that Dubai might look to sell shares through an initial public offering and raise billions of dollars in much needed funds for the emirate.

"If Emirates decided to IPO I'm sure it will be good, especially if it's placed within the U.A.E. stock markets," says Sheik Ahmed. "It will see a lot of people trading in it. I will look at it as a positive thing. But as we speak today I don't have any direction from the government to do this."

Educated at the University of Denver, Sheik Ahmed is renowned as one of Dubai's hardest-working royals. Recently, more of his time has been taken up with meetings of the Supreme Fiscal Committee. He reports to Dubai's ruler and U.A.E. prime minister, Sheik Mohammed.

"I've been doing more work for my other responsibilities recently. I feel it's my duty being responsible for the achievement of Dubai," says Sheik Ahmed. "That's why I have to give Dubai my ultimate time doing any job that my boss gives me. I'm giving my time more to what's the most important thing. It's not that the other isn't important, but Emirates is straightforward."

For the time being this means focusing on fixing Dubai's economic problems and helping to restore confidence in a city that has suffered more than any other in the Persian Gulf from both bad publicity and bad management. But, despite these problems and given the lack of reform and opportunity in other Gulf cities like Riyadh, Doha and even neighboring Abu Dhabi, Dubai has not totally lost its luster for investors and the million or so expatriates who make up the bulk of its population. Sheik Ahmed believes that Dubai should look to its past in order to plot a sustainable course for growth in the future.

He says: "Dubai as a place was well known in the region, within the Gulf and the Middle East and the emerging markets mainly due to re-exports, being a logistic hub, tourism—a place to do business from. A lot of countries see that Dubai will continue to be that place for now and even for the future."

Sheik Ahmed says the main aim of the fiscal committee is to get Dubai's economic growth back on track by refocusing efforts on the sectors that were overshadowed by real-estate speculation.

Dubai's core businesses "are logistics, services and tourism and export," he says. "This is what made Dubai move forward, not what happened in the past seven years in opening the real-estate market."

Certainly, Dubai's economic problems were triggered by the bursting of Dubai's property bubble. Prices for newly built villas and apartments are as much as 50% lower than a year ago, while government-owned developers such as Nakheel have flirted with insolvency.

Much of Dubai's real estate was financed with debt, which now must be paid back. Dubai depends heavily on funding from oil-rich Abu Dhabi, which has pumped $15 billion into the emirate since the crisis took hold shortly after Wall Street investment bank Lehman Brothers collapsed in October 2008.

Sheik Ahmed's responsibilities on the committee recently took him to Washington, where he briefed Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on the steps that the emirate is taking to restructure the debts of some of its government-owned companies.

But while he concedes that there is plenty of work left to be done he is sanguine about Dubai's economic situation. "Some people think that they're not doing too well because they're taking 2007 as a benchmark, but sometimes we have to realize that you can't always achieve 30% to 40% growth," Sheik Ahmed says. "Now you have to be realistic given what is happening around the world."

WSJ please don't sue me for posting this... :D

Disconnecting myself from the rest of the world

It's been almost 3 weeks now that I don't have an internet connection at home. I'm really missing my blog friends, blogging, facebook-ing and whatsoever. I read that Emirates is hiring again and it actually started last Monday til the 29th. All of a sudden, I had the urge to try again even though I know that I will fail the screening again because of my weight. Although I lost a lot of weight, I still don't want to attend because I already changed my plans. I promised myself that I won't apply for Emirates until I'm ready. This March I will be applying as a Ground Crew at NAIA and I think it will be better for me to have enough experience before I venture into a much bigger thing. Anyway, I just have to forget that EK is hiring this month because this will not be their last for this year. :)

Oh yeah! I just need to update you guys...

EK will commence flights to Tokyo this March 28, to Amsterdam on May 1, to Prague on July 1 and Madrid on Aug 1.....

I'll update this blog the next time I log in... :P

fellow bloggers. I miss you all!

P.S.

Ate Star wants to meet us.. She's in MNL til 29th.. please leave a message on my message board... I'll give you my number...

From the Prince to the world

In behalf of my crew : ) , I would like to wish all my readers and friends here at blogspot a very Merry Christmas!!!

P.S.

Santa, I really think that you should install your TCAS [Traffic Collision Avoidance System] before you go out again next year...

Pam Ann.. Love her!!! :D

Who is Pam Ann?

Caroline Reid, better known by her stage name Pam Ann, is an Australian comedian. Reid portrays the air-hostess Pam Ann, a mixture of drag, camp andglamour, and a pun on the airline Pan Am. Reid as Pam Ann can be seen on tour in the United Kingdom such as at The UCL Bloomsbury, she also has a guest-role in the BBC show Fast Track. She also frequently conducts shows in major cities in the US, Canada and her native Australia.

Performances tend to emphasise the vagaries of air travel, including the identifying quirks of various airlines around the world, mixed with a generous dose of ribald humour and double entendre. Reid often caters to airline employees and frequent travellers in her audience, directly involving them in the performance.

Her Characters

Pam	Pam Ann	Her signature character
Lily	Singapore Airlines	A Singapore Chinese-flight attendant who would sacrifice passenger safety for her Gucci handbag
Valerie	American Airlines	An ageing American flight attendant from Texas, who is usually accompanied with a man in an Osama bin Laden mask
Vanity	Virgin Atlantic Airways	A sultry, woman in red who asks that passengers call her sex line at 0 800 747 400
Mona	British Airways	A BA attendant who has appeared with a horse-head instead of a face and "piss off" attitude
Donna	EasyJet	A typical, ignorant chav dressed in orange with Croydon facelift and hoop earings
Vespa	Alitalia	A perky Italian woman who greets passengers with "Ciao! Belissimo! Donatellaversace!"
Chantal Jemeladonne	Air France	A snobby fashionista who walks the aircraft aisle as if it were a catwalk
Marcia	Unspecified Africanairline	Dressed in flowing gowns and accompanied with soul music
Heidi	Scandinavian Airlines System	A stereotypical Swedish blonde woman who usually appears undressed with coffee pots strategically located
Conchita Rosa María González Gómez	Iberia Airlines	A tiny Spanish woman with bright red hair and sings "Fanta Do you wanna Fanta? Fanta? Fanta?"
Helga	Lufthansa	A brash, dominating woman who barks out commands and orders
Unnamed Arabic Woman	Emirates Airline &Etihad Airways	A woman with a chador and ski mask talking gibberish that resembles Arabic.
Unnamed Indian Woman	Air India	A woman in a sari who ignores passenger's requests on call button (made by herself), while declaring "I am fingering the air hostess, but she is not coming."
Malaka Pustis	Olympic Airlines	A cigarette smoking, kebab meat cutting woman who says pustis pustis pustis malaka tzatziki.
Gloria	Qantas	A Qantas air hostess who wears the typical Qantas uniform. While giving the safety video, she states some of Qantas defects. She also offers a full "head to toe" licking for everyone who still chooses to fly Qantas.
Sarah	Virgin Blue	A Virgin Blue air hostess who offers passengers salty nuts. When a hostage tries taking her hostage, she offers him oral pleasure.
Clodagh	Ryanair	An Irish flight attendant who often syphens fuel from other airlines and repeatedly shouts "I LOVE MY JOB"

source courtesy of wikipedia.org

EK to commence service to AMS starting May 1, 2010

The airline continues to blossom as it announces its 23rd route to Europe via The Netherlands. The route will be operated by a 777-200LR and ER in a daily, non-stop basis. This is the fourth new destination to be announced this year by the carrier. Durban and Luanda were launched in October and Tokyo was recently announced to commence on March 28, 2010.

Starting May 1 of next year, EK145 will depart DXB at 0825hrs and will arrive in AMS at 1330hrs. Return flight EK146 will depart AMS at 1530hrs and will arrive in DXB at 2359hrs.

The new European service comes on the back of exclusive lounge openings in DUS, HAM and MAN and extra frequencies to FCO, buidling up to a double daily in February.

EK will receive an additional 2 A380s this December and will be deployed to ICN from the 14th of December and to CDG two weeks later.

Latest EK news

Nov. 18, 2009

• An A340-541 with registration A6-ERG is to be re-delivered to Emirates after 4-5 months of repair. Earlier this year, the aircraft suffered from a tailstrike during the takeoff run. It wiped out some runway lights, Instrument Landing Antennae and just cleared the boundary fence. After takeoff, it circled Port Phillip Bay to dump fuel (necessary for emergency landing) while the cabin was filling with smoke. It landed safely with its 225 people on board.

Here is the picture of the a/c, fresh from Tolouse (TLS)

http://www.skyliner-aviation.de/viewphoto.main?LC=nav2&picid=6138

• Emirates could use an additional 20 A380s on top of its existing order for 58 aircraft and is looking to take over delivery slots other carriers have abandoned for other jets. Emirates needs larger planes because DXB's runway system has limited capacity. The airline is looking into picking up delivery freed up by other airlines for Boeing 773ERs and changing its Airbus A350XWB order to focus more on the larger A350-1000, rather than the 900 series.

• The Al Maktoum International will be used by international carriers. EK operations remains at DXB. It is said to be 10x larger than DXB. With 6 runways, it can land 4 aircraft simultaneously. DWC and DXB will be connected via high speed railway system and via Dubai Metro. The airport will be operational in 6-8 years.

• Emirates CEO Tim Clark told that the carrier is increasing its global network in the future which EU will play an important role. MAD (Madrid) and CPH (Copenhagen) are under evaluation. TXL and STR traffic rights are still to materialze since they haven't been granted yet by the German Government.

Nov. 19, 2009

• Berlin forces up Emirates' business fare

click the links for the article.

Link 1

Link 2

Nov 23, 2009

• Emirates Airlines has announced plans to launch its second destination in Japan with its flight to the country's capital Tokyo that will begin on March 28, 2010. Emirates will fly non-stop five times weekly on every day of the week except Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

EK318 will depart DXB 02:50 and arrives in NRT 17:55. the return flight will be as,

EK319 will depart NRT 21:40 and arrives in DXB 04:35 the following day.

This will be EKs 102nd destination.