The Emirates Group have announced that Dubai’s new low cost airline will be called FlyDubai. The budget carrier will operate regional flights within the GCC area and surrounding countries and is scheduled to launch its first routes in 2009.
Operating as a separate entity to the Emirates Group and Emirates Airline, its fleet will comprise either Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s. A logo and brand identity will be unveiled sometime in the next few months.
The Rezidor Hotel Group has announced a new hotel at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, in the Trade Centre area of the city. The Radisson Dubai Trade Centre District will offer 450 rooms and suites, numerous restaurants, a bar and nightclub, meeting and conference facilities, swimming pool, fitness centre, and car park.
The hotel is scheduled to open at the end of 2011.
Lebanese restaurant chain Zaatar w Zeit (ZwZ) has followed up on the success of its existing locations in Dubai and opened another restaurant at the Jumeirah Beach Residence.
CEO Walid Hajj said ‘What distinguishes ZwZ from other restaurants is the great service and friendly atmosphere; it’s like a home away from home. Everything is ‘Aa tari’tak’, meaning as you like it.’
Zaatar w Zeit first opened in 1999 in Sodeco Beirut. Other outlets in Dubai are found on Sheikh Zayed Road, at the Mall of the Emirates, and Dubai Festival City.
IMAX Corporation have announced that they have signed and agreement to install an IMAX theatre at Meydan, a commercial and residential project in Dubai incorporating the Meydan Racecourse. The advanced motion picture system is expected to be installed by the end of 2009.
The first IMAX theatre in the UAE opened at the Grand Megaplex cinema at the Ibn Battuta Mall in 2005 and features a screen measuring 44 feet tall and 70 feet wide.
Emirates Airline is set to close boarding gates at Dubai International Airport 15 minutes before the scheduled flight departure time to ensure its flights leave on time. The new policy will be introduced on June 22.
Passengers are requested to check in 2 hours before their scheduled departure time and be at the boarding gate 35 minutes before their flight departs. Passengers will be advised of the new 15 minute gate closure policy at check in.
Mohammed H Mattar, Emirates’ Senior Vice President Airport Services said, ‘Emirates is implementing the 15-minute before departure gate closure in consideration of our customers who arrive on time for their flights. The new policy will allow aircraft to take off as scheduled as it takes about 15 minutes to locate and off-load the baggage of missing or late customers.’
Plans for a massive water fountain at Downtown Burj Dubai have been unveiled by Emaar Properties. Situated in the Burj Lake, it will be capable of shooting jets of water 500 feet high, equivalent to the height of a 50-storey building.
It will be complemented by a visual effects system consisting of more than 6,000 lights and 50 colour projectors. The total cost of the lake and fountain is budgeted at AED 800 million.
Emaar Properties has announced that the opening of the Burj Dubai will be delayed by around 8 months. Completion is now expected in September 2009.
Part of the Downtown Burj Dubai development, the tower is the world’s tallest building. Work came to a halt in November 2007 when 40,000 labourers working on the project went on strike over conditions and pay.
The Jumeirah Group has been appointed by Al Fattan Properties to manage the Jumeirah Al Fattan Palm Resort. The contract was signed at the Burj Al Arab hotel yesterday.
The 5-star resort is situated on the crescent of the Palm Jumeirah and features 213 rooms and suites, 4 restaurants, a private beach, beach club, spa, and meeting and conference facilities. Opening is scheduled for late 2009.
High-end store Saks Fifth Avenue has opened a 15,000 square foot men’s clothes shop at The Walk at the Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai. The store will complement their existing 80,000 square foot store at the Burjuman Centre which opened in 2004.
Lines offered include clothes from Dolce & Gabbana, Christian Dior, John Glliano, and Ralph Lauren, leather goods from Prada and Tumi, watches by Parmigiani and Roger Dubuis, shoes, and fragrances.
The store offers personal shopping, luxurious fitting rooms, and a lounge with wireless internet access.
Silverjet Airlines has grounded its fleet after rescue funds promised last week failed to materialise.
A statement on the company’s website dated May 30 reads, ‘Silverjet continues to be in discussions with investors interested in supporting the business of Silverjet, however it has yet to conclude such discussions to its satisfaction. It is with deep regret that the Board of Silverjet has therefore decided that it must suspend operations with immediate effect. The last service of Silverjet was the flight from Dubai to London Luton, which departed at 7.30 am (BST) this morning.’