1.
ICAO airport code
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The ICAO airport code or location indicator is a four-character alphanumeric code designating aerodromes around the world. ICAO codes are used to identify other aviation facilities such as weather stations, International Flight Service Stations or Area Control Centers. Flight information regions are identified by a unique ICAO-code. Code selections in North America were based on existing radio station identifiers, for example, radio stations in Canada were already starting with C, so it seemed logical to begin Canadian airport identifiers with Cxxx. The United States had many pre-existing airports with established mnemonic codes and their ICAO codes were formed simply by prepending a K to the existing codes, as half the radio station identifiers in the US began with K. Most ICAO codes outside the US and Canada have a geographical structure. Most of the rest of the world was classified in a more planned top-down manner, thus Uxxx referred to the Soviet Union with the second letter denoting the specific region within it, and so forth. Europe had too many locations for one starting letter, so it was split into Exxx for northern Europe. The second letter was more specific, EGxx was the United Kingdom, EDxx was West Germany, ETxx was East Germany, LExx was Spain, LAxx was Albania, France was designated LFxx, as the counterpart EFxx was the unambiguously northern Finland. ICAO codes are separate and different from IATA codes, which are used for airline timetables, reservations. For example, the IATA code for Londons Heathrow Airport is LHR, in general IATA codes are usually derived from the name of the airport or the city it serves, while ICAO codes are distributed by region and country. Far more aerodromes have ICAO codes than IATA codes, and to add to the confusion IATA codes are assigned to railway stations. Unlike the IATA codes, the ICAO codes generally have a structure and are comprehensive. In general, the first letter is allocated by continent and represents a country or group of countries within that continent, the second letter generally represents a country within that region, and the remaining two are used to identify each airport. The exception to rule is larger countries that have single-letter country codes. In either case, ICAO codes generally provide geographical context unlike IATA codes, for example, if one knows that the ICAO code for Heathrow is EGLL, then one can deduce that the airport EGGP is somewhere in the UK. On the other hand, knowing that the IATA code for Heathrow is LHR does not enable one to deduce the location of the airport LHV with any greater certainty, there are a few exceptions to the regional structure of the ICAO code made for political or administrative reasons. Similarly Saint Pierre and Miquelon is controlled by France, and airports there are assigned LFxx as though they were in Europe, further, in region L, all available 2-letter prefixes have been exhausted and thus no additional countries can be added
2.
Abu Dhabi
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Abu Dhabi is the capital and the second most populous city of the United Arab Emirates, and also capital of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the largest of the UAEs seven emirates. Abu Dhabi lies on a T-shaped island jutting into the Persian Gulf from the western coast. The city proper had a population of 1.5 million in 2014, Abu Dhabi houses federal government offices, is the seat of the United Arab Emirates Government, home to the Abu Dhabi Emiri Family and the President of the UAE, who is from this family. Abu Dhabis rapid development and urbanisation, coupled with the high average income of its population, has transformed the city into a large. Today the city is the center of political and industrial activities. Abu Dhabi accounts for about two-thirds of the roughly $400-billion United Arab Emirates economy, Abu Dhabi is the fourth most expensive city for expatriate employees in the region, and in 2014 was the 68th most expensive big city in the world. Abu Dhabi is full of evidence that points to civilizations, such as the Umm an-Nar Culture. Settlements were also found farther outside the city of Abu Dhabi. There is evidence of civilizations around the mountain of Hafeet and this location is very strategic because it is the UAE’s second tallest mountain, so it would have great visibility. It also contains a lot of moisture in its springs and lakes, origin of the name Abu Dhabi The origin of the name Abu Dhabi is uncertain. Meaning Father of the Gazelle, when translated from Arabic. According to Bilal al-Budoor, assistant under-secretary for Cultural Affairs at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, The area had a lot of dhibaa, an old story tells about a man who used to chase deer and was named the father of the animal. Abu Dhabis original name was Milh salt, possibly referring to the salty water of the Persian Gulf, some Bedouins called the city Umm Dhabi, while British records refer to the place as Abu Dhabi. According to some accounts, the name Abu Dhabi was first used more than 300 years ago. The first word of Abu Dhabi is pronounced Bu by inhabitants on the western coast. In the eastern part of the city, the pronunciation is Abu, origins of the Al Nahyan family The Bani Yas bedouin were originally centered on the Liwa Oasis. This tribe was the most significant in the area, having over 20 subsections, in 1793, the Al Bu Falah subsection migrated to the island of Abu Dhabi on the coast of the Persian Gulf due to the discovery of fresh water there. One family within this section was the Al Nahyan family and this family makes up the rulers of Abu Dhabi today
3.
Airline hub
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Airline hubs or hub airports are used by one or more airliners to concentrate passenger traffic and flight operations at a given airport. They serve as points to get passengers to their final destination. It is part of the hub-and-spoke system, an airline operates flights from several non-hub cities to the hub airport, and passengers traveling between spoke cities need to connect through the hub. This paradigm creates economies of scale that allow an airline to serve city-pairs that could not be economically served on a non-stop basis. This system contrasts with the point-to-point model, in there are no hubs. Hub airports also serve origin and destination traffic, the hub-and-spoke system allows an airline to serve fewer routes, so fewer aircraft are needed. The system also increases passenger loads, a flight from a hub to a spoke carries not just passengers originating at the hub, additional employees and facilities are needed to cater to connecting passengers. To serve spoke cities of varying populations and demand, an airline requires several aircraft types, in addition, airlines may experience capacity constraints as they expand at their hub airports. For the passenger, the system offers one-stop air service to a wide array of destinations. However, having to make connections en route to their final destination increases travel time. Additionally, airlines can come to monopolise their hubs, allowing them to increase fares. Airlines may operate banks of flights at their hubs, in several flights arrive. The banks may be known as peaks of activity at the hubs, banking allows for short connection times for passengers. In addition, banking could result in inefficient aircraft utilisation, with aircraft waiting at spoke cities for the next bank, instead, some airlines have debanked their hubs, introducing a rolling hub in which flight arrivals and departures are spread throughout the day. This phenomenon is known as depeaking. While costs may decrease, connection times are longer at a rolling hub, American Airlines was the first to depeak its hubs, trying to improve profitability following the September 11 attacks. It rebanked its hubs in 2015, however, feeling the gain in connecting passengers would outweigh the rise in costs, the hub-and-spoke system is also used by some cargo airlines. FedEx Express established its main hub in Memphis in 1973, prior to the deregulation of the air industry in the United States
4.
Etihad Airways
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Etihad Airways is a flag carrier and the second-largest airline of the UAE. Its head office is in Khalifa City, Abu Dhabi, near Abu Dhabi International Airport, Etihad commenced operations in November 2003. In 2015, Etihad carried 14.8 million passengers, a 22. 3% increase from the year, delivering revenues of US$9.02 billion. Its main base is Abu Dhabi International Airport, in addition to its core activity of passenger transportation, Etihad also operates Etihad Holidays and Etihad Cargo. Etihad established its own alliance, Etihad Airways Partners, in 2015. Booking for these airlines is consolidated under one network, as of 12 October 2016, Etihad Airways is rated as one of a small number of 5-star airlines by Skytrax. The name Etihad is an informal romanisation of إتّحاد ittiḥād, which means union, Etihad Airways was established as the second flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates in July 2003 by Royal Decree issued by Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who wanted an airline for Abu Dhabi. Darwish Alkhoory, the personal pilot for Sheikh Zayed, established the airline. It started with an initial capital of AED500 million. Services were launched with a flight to Al Ain on 5 November 2003. On 12 November 2003, Etihad commenced commercial operations with the launch of services to Beirut, prior to the establishment of Etihad, Gulf Air was the airline which was based at Abu Dhabi International Airport and was also co-owned by Bahrain and the Sultanate of Oman. In June 2004, the placed a US$8-billion aircraft order for five Boeing 777-300ERs and 24 Airbus aircraft. Its first A380 was delivered in December 2014, the airline announced what was the largest aircraft order in commercial aviation history at the Farnborough Airshow in 2008, for up to 205 aircraft—100 firm orders,55 options and 50 purchase rights. Etihad reported its first full-year net profit in 2011, of US$14 million, in December 2011, Etihad announced it had taken a 29. 21% stake in Air Berlin, Europes sixth largest airline, and James Hogan was appointed Vice Chairman. It followed this up with minority stakes in other airlines—Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, the Serbian Government retained 51% of the shares. The new company is named Air Serbia, in 2013, Etihad Airways planned to buy a stake in the airline following the governments announcement in September 2012 that foreign airlines could take a stake of up to 49% in Indian carriers. At the 2013 Dubai Airshow, Etihad announced that it was acquiring a 33. 3% stake in the Swiss carrier Darwin Airline, Darwin was rebranded as Etihad Regional from March 2014. On 1 August 2014, Etihad agreed to take a 49% stake in the Italian flag carrier Alitalia for an estimated €560 million, the deal was closed on 8 August 2014
5.
Geographic coordinate system
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A geographic coordinate system is a coordinate system used in geography that enables every location on Earth to be specified by a set of numbers, letters or symbols. The coordinates are chosen such that one of the numbers represents a vertical position. A common choice of coordinates is latitude, longitude and elevation, to specify a location on a two-dimensional map requires a map projection. The invention of a coordinate system is generally credited to Eratosthenes of Cyrene. Ptolemy credited him with the adoption of longitude and latitude. Ptolemys 2nd-century Geography used the prime meridian but measured latitude from the equator instead. Mathematical cartography resumed in Europe following Maximus Planudes recovery of Ptolemys text a little before 1300, in 1884, the United States hosted the International Meridian Conference, attended by representatives from twenty-five nations. Twenty-two of them agreed to adopt the longitude of the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, the Dominican Republic voted against the motion, while France and Brazil abstained. France adopted Greenwich Mean Time in place of local determinations by the Paris Observatory in 1911, the latitude of a point on Earths surface is the angle between the equatorial plane and the straight line that passes through that point and through the center of the Earth. Lines joining points of the same latitude trace circles on the surface of Earth called parallels, as they are parallel to the equator, the north pole is 90° N, the south pole is 90° S. The 0° parallel of latitude is designated the equator, the plane of all geographic coordinate systems. The equator divides the globe into Northern and Southern Hemispheres, the longitude of a point on Earths surface is the angle east or west of a reference meridian to another meridian that passes through that point. All meridians are halves of great ellipses, which converge at the north and south poles, the prime meridian determines the proper Eastern and Western Hemispheres, although maps often divide these hemispheres further west in order to keep the Old World on a single side. The antipodal meridian of Greenwich is both 180°W and 180°E, the combination of these two components specifies the position of any location on the surface of Earth, without consideration of altitude or depth. The grid formed by lines of latitude and longitude is known as a graticule, the origin/zero point of this system is located in the Gulf of Guinea about 625 km south of Tema, Ghana. To completely specify a location of a feature on, in, or above Earth. Earth is not a sphere, but a shape approximating a biaxial ellipsoid. It is nearly spherical, but has an equatorial bulge making the radius at the equator about 0. 3% larger than the radius measured through the poles, the shorter axis approximately coincides with the axis of rotation
6.
Runway
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According to the International Civil Aviation Organization, a runway is a defined rectangular area on a land aerodrome prepared for the landing and takeoff of aircraft. Runways may be a surface or a natural surface. Runways are named by a number between 01 and 36, which is generally the magnetic azimuth of the heading in decadegrees. This heading differs from true north by the magnetic declination. A runway numbered 09 points east, runway 18 is south, runway 27 points west, when taking off from or landing on runway 09, a plane would be heading 90°. A runway can normally be used in both directions, and is named for each separately, e. g. runway 33 in one direction is runway 15 when used in the other. The two numbers usually differ by 18, Runway Zero Three Left becomes Runway Two One Right when used in the opposite direction. In some countries, if parallel runways are too close to each other, at large airports with four or more parallel runways some runway identifiers are shifted by 10 degrees to avoid the ambiguity that would result with more than three parallel runways. For example, in Los Angeles, this results in runways 6L, 6R, 7L. At Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, there are five parallel runways, named 17L, 17C, 17R, 18L, for clarity in radio communications, each digit in the runway name is pronounced individually, runway three six, runway one four, etc. A leading zero, for example in runway zero six or runway zero one left, is included for all ICAO, however, most U. S. civil aviation airports drop the leading zero as required by FAA regulation. This also includes some military airfields such as Cairns Army Airfield and this American anomaly may lead to inconsistencies in conversations between American pilots and controllers in other countries. It is very common in a such as Canada for a controller to clear an incoming American aircraft to, for example, runway 04. In flight simulation programs those of American origin might apply U. S. usage to airports around the world, for example, runway 05 at Halifax will appear on the program as the single digit 5 rather than 05. Runway designations change over time because the magnetic poles slowly drift on the Earths surface, depending on the airport location and how much drift takes place, it may be necessary over time to change the runway designation. As runways are designated with headings rounded to the nearest 10 degrees, for example, if the magnetic heading of a runway is 233 degrees, it would be designated Runway 23. If the magnetic heading changed downwards by 5 degrees to 228, if on the other hand the original magnetic heading was 226, and the heading decreased by only 2 degrees to 224, the runway should become Runway 22. Because the drift itself is slow, runway designation changes are uncommon
7.
Arabic
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Arabic is a Central Semitic language that was first spoken in Iron Age northwestern Arabia and is now the lingua franca of the Arab world. Arabic is also the language of 1.7 billion Muslims. It is one of six languages of the United Nations. The modern written language is derived from the language of the Quran and it is widely taught in schools and universities, and is used to varying degrees in workplaces, government, and the media. The two formal varieties are grouped together as Literary Arabic, which is the language of 26 states. Modern Standard Arabic largely follows the standards of Quranic Arabic. Much of the new vocabulary is used to denote concepts that have arisen in the post-Quranic era, Arabic has influenced many languages around the globe throughout its history. During the Middle Ages, Literary Arabic was a vehicle of culture in Europe, especially in science, mathematics. As a result, many European languages have borrowed many words from it. Many words of Arabic origin are found in ancient languages like Latin. Balkan languages, including Greek, have acquired a significant number of Arabic words through contact with Ottoman Turkish. Arabic has also borrowed words from languages including Greek and Persian in medieval times. Arabic is a Central Semitic language, closely related to the Northwest Semitic languages, the Ancient South Arabian languages, the Semitic languages changed a great deal between Proto-Semitic and the establishment of the Central Semitic languages, particularly in grammar. Innovations of the Central Semitic languages—all maintained in Arabic—include, The conversion of the suffix-conjugated stative formation into a past tense, the conversion of the prefix-conjugated preterite-tense formation into a present tense. The elimination of other prefix-conjugated mood/aspect forms in favor of new moods formed by endings attached to the prefix-conjugation forms, the development of an internal passive. These features are evidence of descent from a hypothetical ancestor. In the southwest, various Central Semitic languages both belonging to and outside of the Ancient South Arabian family were spoken and it is also believed that the ancestors of the Modern South Arabian languages were also spoken in southern Arabia at this time. To the north, in the oases of northern Hijaz, Dadanitic and Taymanitic held some prestige as inscriptional languages, in Najd and parts of western Arabia, a language known to scholars as Thamudic C is attested
8.
International airport
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An international airport is an airport that offers customs and immigration facilities for passengers travelling between countries. International airports often also host domestic flights, some, such as Frankfurt Airport in Germany are very large, others such as Faaā International Airport in Tahiti, are quite small. Buildings, operations and management have become increasingly sophisticated since the mid 20th century, detailed technical standards have been developed to ensure safety and common coding systems implemented to provide global consistency. The physical structures that serve millions of passengers and flights are among the most complex. In August 1919, Hounslow Heath Aerodrome, in London, England was the first airport to operate scheduled international commercial services and it was closed and supplanted by Croydon Airport in March 1920. In the United States, Douglas Municipal Airport in Arizona became the first international airport of the Americas in 1928, the precursors to international airports were airfields or aerodromes. In the early days of international flights, there was limited infrastructure, four-engined land planes being unavailable for over-water operations to international destinations, thus/therefore flying boats became part of the solution. At the far end of the longest international route, on-water landing areas were found in such as Surabaya. In Sydney, Rose Bay, New South Wales, was chosen as the landing area. International airports sometimes serve military as well as commercial purposes and their viability is also affected by technological developments, other international airports, such as Kai Tak Airport in Hong Kong, have been decommissioned and replaced when they reached capacity or technological advances rendered them inadequate. Airports may also be regarded as emblematic of national pride and so the design may be architecturally ambitious, an example is the planned New Mexico City international airport, intended to replace an airport that has reached capacity. Airports can be towered or non-towered, depending on air traffic density, because of high capacity and busy airspace, many international airports have air traffic control located on site. Construction of the expressway included the construction of two bridges and the Ma Wan viaduct on Ma Wan island to connect the bridges, each bridge carries rail and automobile traffic. International airports have commercial relationships with and provide services to airlines, many also serve as hubs, or places where non-direct flights may land and passengers may switch planes, while others serve primarily direct point-to-point flights. This affects airport design factors, including the number and placement of terminals as well as the flow of passengers, an airport specializing in point-to-point transit can have international and domestic terminals, each in their separate building equipped with separate baggage handling facilities. In a hub airport, however, spaces and services are shared, technical standards for safety and operating procedures at international airports are set by international agreements. The International Air Transport Association, formed in 1945, is the association of the airline companies, the International Civil Aviation Organization is a body of the United Nations succeeding earlier international committees going back to 1903. These two organizations served to create regulations over airports which the airports themselves had no authority to debate and this eventually sparked an entire subject of air travel politics
9.
Emirate of Abu Dhabi
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The Emirate of Abu Dhabi, is one of seven emirates that constitute the United Arab Emirates. It is the largest emirate by area, accounting for approximately 87 percent of the land area of the federation. Abu Dhabi also has the largest population of the seven emirates, in June 2011, it was estimated to be 2,120,700 people, of which,439,100 people were Emirati citizens, which has risen to 2.3 million in 2012. Abu Dhabi is the city of the emirate, after which it is named. Abu Dhabi’s Gross Domestic Product estimates, in 2014, amounted to AED960 billion at current prices, mining and quarrying accounts for the largest contribution to GDP. Construction related industries are the next largest contributor, GDP grew to AED911.6 billion in 2012, or over 100,000 USD per capita. In the early 1970s, two important developments helped the emirate achieve leaps on the path of development, the first was the establishment of the United Arab Emirates in December 1971 with Abu Dhabi as its political and administrative capital. Dhabi is the Arabic name of a species of native gazelle that was once common in the Arabian region. Abu Dhabi means father of the Dhabi and it is thought that this name came about because of the abundance of Gazelles in the area and a folk tale involving Shakhbut bin Dhiyab al Nahyan. Parts of Abu Dhabi were settled as far back as the 3rd millennium BC, modern Abu Dhabi traces its origins to the rise of an important tribal confederation, the Bani Yas, in the late 18th century, which also assumed control of Dubai. In the 19th century the Dubai and Abu Dhabi branches parted ways, most dwellings in Abu Dhabi city were, at this time, constructed of palm fronds, with the wealthier families occupying mud huts. In 1939, Sheikh Shakhbut Bin-Sultan Al Nahyan granted petroleum concessions, at first, oil money had a marginal impact. His brother, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, saw that oil wealth had the potential to transform Abu Dhabi, the ruling Al Nahyan family decided that Sheikh Zayed should replace his brother as ruler and carry out his vision of developing the country. On August 6,1966, with the assistance of the British, with the announcement by the UK in 1968 that it would withdraw from the Persian Gulf area by 1971, Sheikh Zayed became the main driving force behind the formation of the United Arab Emirates. After the Emirates gained independence in 1971, oil continued to flow to the area and traditional mud-brick huts were rapidly replaced with banks, boutiques. At present, Abu Dhabi boasts what is estimated to be the worlds highest absolute and per-capita level of sovereign wealth funds, the United Arab Emirates is located in the oil-rich and strategic Persian Gulf region. It adjoins the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman and it borders the emirate of Dubai and emirate of Sharjah to its north. The total area of the Emirate is 67,340 square kilometres, occupying about 87% of the area of the UAE
10.
United Arab Emirates
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In 2013, the UAEs population was 9.2 million, of which 1.4 million are Emirati citizens and 7.8 million are expatriates. The country is a federation of seven emirates, and was established on 2 December 1971, the constituent emirates are Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairah, Ras al-Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al-Quwain. Each emirate is governed by a monarch, together, they jointly form the Federal Supreme Council. One of the monarchs is selected as the President of the United Arab Emirates, Islam is the official religion of the UAE and Arabic is the official language. The UAEs oil reserves are the seventh-largest in the world while its natural gas reserves are the worlds seventeenth-largest, Sheikh Zayed, ruler of Abu Dhabi and the first President of the UAE, oversaw the development of the Emirates and steered oil revenues into healthcare, education and infrastructure. The UAEs economy is the most diversified in the Gulf Cooperation Council, while its most populous city of Dubai is an important global city, nevertheless, the country remains principally reliant on its export of petroleum and natural gas. The UAE is criticised for its rights record, including the specific interpretations of Sharia used in its legal system. The UAEs rising international profile has led analysts to identify it as a regional. It appears the land of the Emirates has been occupied for thousands of years, there is no proof of contact with the outside world at that stage, although in time it developed with civilisations in Mesopotamia and Iran. This contact persisted and became wide-ranging, probably motivated by trade in copper from the Hajar Mountains, in ancient times, Al Hasa was part of Al Bahreyn and adjoined Greater Oman. Sassanid groups were present on the Batinah coast, in 637, Julfar was an important port that was used as a staging post for the Islamic invasion of the Sassanian Empire. The area of the Al Ain/Buraimi Oasis was known as Tuam and was an important trading post for camel routes between the coast and the Arabian interior. The earliest Christian site in the UAE was first discovered in the 1990s, a monastic complex on what is now known as Sir Bani Yas Island. Thought to be Nestorian and built in 600 AD, the church appears to have been abandoned peacefully in 750 AD and it forms a rare physical link to a legacy of Christianity which is thought to have spread across the peninsula from 50 to 350 AD following trade routes. Certainly, by the 5th century, Oman had a bishop named John – the last bishop of Oman being Etienne, in 676 AD. This led to a group of travelling to Medina, converting to Islam and subsequently driving a successful uprising against the unpopular Sassanids. Following the death of Prophet Muhammad, the new Islamic communities south of the Persian Gulf threatened to disintegrate, with insurrections against the Muslim leaders. The Caliph Abu Bakr sent an army from the capital Medina which completed its reconquest of the territory with the battle of Dibba in which 10,000 lives are thought to have been lost
11.
Nautical mile
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A nautical mile is a unit of measurement defined as exactly 1852 meters. Historically, it was defined as one minute of latitude, which is equivalent to one sixtieth of a degree of latitude. Today it is an SI derived unit, being rounded to a number of meters. The derived unit of speed is the knot, defined as one mile per hour. The geographical mile is the length of one minute of longitude along the Equator, there is no internationally agreed symbol. M is used as the abbreviation for the mile by the International Hydrographic Organization and by the International Bureau of Weights. NM is used by the International Civil Aviation Organization, nm is used by the U. S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Nmi is used by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the word mile is from the Latin word for a thousand paces, mīlia. In 1617 the Dutch scientist Snell assessed the circumference of the Earth at 24,630 Roman miles, around that time British mathematician Edmund Gunter improved navigational tools including a new quadrant to determine latitude at sea. He reasoned that the lines of latitude could be used as the basis for a unit of measurement for distance, as one degree is 1/360 of a circle, one minute of arc is 1/21600 of a circle. These sexagesimal units originated in Babylonian astronomy, Gunter used Snells circumference to define a nautical mile as 6,080 feet, the length of one minute of arc at 48 degrees latitude.3 metres. Other countries measure the minute of arc at 45 degrees latitude, in 1929, the international nautical mile was defined by the First International Extraordinary Hydrographic Conference in Monaco as 1,852 meters. Imperial units and United States customary units used a definition of the nautical mile based on the Clarke Spheroid, the United States nautical mile was defined as 6,080.20 feet based in the Mendenhall Order foot of 1893. It was abandoned in favour of the nautical mile in 1954.181 meters. It was abandoned in 1970 and, legally, references to the unit are now converted to 1,853 meters. Conversion of units Orders of magnitude
12.
Emirates (airline)
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Emirates is an airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is owned by the government of Dubais Investment Corporation of Dubai. It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating over 3,600 flights per week from its hub at Dubai International Airport, Cargo activities are undertaken by Emirates SkyCargo. Emirates had the longest non-stop commercial flight from Dubai to Auckland until it was surpassed by Qatar Airways, during the mid-1980s, Gulf Air began to cut back its services to Dubai. As a result, Emirates was conceived in March 1985 with backing from Dubais royal family, with $10 million in start-up capital it was required to operate independently of government subsidy. Pakistan International Airlines provided training facilities to Emirates cabin crew in its academy, the airline was headed by Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the airlines present chairman. In the years following its founding, the airline expanded both its fleet and its destinations, in October 2008, Emirates moved all operations at Dubai International Airport to Terminal 3. Emirates operates a fleet of Airbus and Boeing wide-body aircraft and is one of the few airlines to operate an all-wide-body aircraft fleet. As of September 2016, Emirates is the largest Airbus A380 operator with 83 planes in service, since their induction, Airbus A380 planes have become an integral part of Emirates fleet, especially on long-haul heavily trafficked routes. As a result, Emirates was conceived in March 1985 with backing from Dubais royal family, the Royal Familys Dubai Royal Air Wing also provided the airline with two used Boeing 727–200 Adv. The airlines first flight, flight EK600, was Dubai–Karachi on 25 October 1985, maurice Flanagan, who previously worked at British Airways, Gulf Air, and BOAC and at the time was overseeing Dnata, was appointed chief executive officer of the new airline. To acknowledge his services for aviation, in 2000, Flanagan was made CBE in the Queens Birthday Honour List and he would be joined at the airline by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and now-Emirates president Tim Clark. Current chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum has since inherited the role of CEO, during its first year, it carried about 260,000 passengers and 10,000 tons of freight. To highlight the early success, Gulf Air, during Emirates first year of operations, suffered a 56% drop in profits. By 1986, the airline had added such as Colombo, Dhaka, Amman. In 1987, a second Boeing 727 was purchased from the Dubai Government, on 3 July, Emirates received its first bought aircraft, an Airbus A310, and with two examples, launched daily non-stop services to London Gatwick on 6 July 1987. The airline in 1987 added Frankfurt via Istanbul, and Malé, by the end of 1987, Emirates was serving 11 destinations. This was followed by an expansion into the Far East market in 1989, with flights to Bangkok, Manila and Singapore, during the first decade of operations, Emirates recorded strong growth averaging 30%
13.
Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan
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The exact date of his birth is unknown, but officially on some documents, Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was born on 6 May 1918 in Abu Dhabi. He was the youngest son of Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan and his birth date is also reported to be 1916. His father was the ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1922 until his assassination in 1926, Zayed was the youngest of his four brothers. His mother was Sheikha Salama bint Butti Al Hamed and she extracted a promise from her sons not to use violence against each other, a promise which they kept. Zayed was named after his grandfather, Sheikh Zayed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, at the time of Zayeds birth, the sheikhdom of Abu Dhabi was one of seven Trucial States along the lower coast of the Persian Gulf He also showed interest in Falconry. He moved to Al Ain in 1927, as Zayed was growing up, there were no modern schools anywhere along the coast. His eldest brother, Sheikh Shakhbut bin Sultan Al Nahyan, became ruler of Abu Dhabi in 1928 after their uncle, Zayed was appointed the governor of the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi in 1946 and was based in the Muwaiji fort in Al Ain. At this time, the area was poor and prone to outbreaks of disease, when survey parties from Petroleum Development began exploring for oil in the area, Zayed assisted them. In 1952, a small Saudi Arabian force led by Turki bin Abdullah al-Otaishan occupied the village of Hamasa in the Buraimi Oasis. Zayed was prominent in his opposition to Saudi territorial claims and reportedly rejected a bribe of about £30 million to allow Aramco to explore for oil in the disputed territory. As part of dispute, Zayed and his brother Hazza attended the Buraimi arbitration tribunal in Geneva in September 1955. When the tribunal was abandoned amid allegations of Saudi bribery, the British initiated the reoccupation of the Buraimi Oasis through a military force. The discovery of oil in 1958, and the start of oil exports in 1962, on 6 August 1966, Shakhbut was deposed in a bloodless palace coup. In the late 1960s, Zayed hired Dr. Katsuhiko Takahashi, in 1971, after occasionally difficult negotiations with the other six rulers of the Trucial States, the United Arab Emirates was formed. Zayed was appointed to the presidency of the UAE in 1971 and was reappointed on four occasions,1976,1981,1986. Zayed was determined to unite the Emirates into federation and his calls for cooperation extended across the Persian Gulf to Iran. He advocated dialogue as the means to settle the row with Tehran over three strategic Persian Gulf islands which Iran seized from the UAE Emirate of Sharjah in 1971, the islands remain in Iranian hands, despite over three decades of UAE diplomatic initiatives. He was considered a liberal ruler, and permitted private media
14.
Gulf Air
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Gulf Air is the principal flag carrier of Bahrain. Headquartered in Muharraq, adjacent to Bahrain International Airport, the airline operates scheduled services to 41 destinations in 23 countries across Africa, Asia and its main base is Bahrain International Airport. The airline, which has suffered losses in recent years, has an ongoing restructuring programme to limit operating losses. In the late 1940s, Freddie Bosworth, a British pilot and entrepreneur, began an air service to Doha. Bosworth later expanded service and, on 24 March 1950, registered Gulf Aviation Company Limited as a shareholding company. This makes its current operating company, Gulf Air, one of the oldest carriers in the Middle East, the early fleet contained seven Avro Ansons and three de Havilland DH. 86B four-engine biplanes. In October 1951, British Overseas Airways Corporation became a shareholder in Gulf Aviation. In 1973 the governments of the Emirate of Bahrain, the State of Qatar, the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, the Foundation Treaty was signed on 1 January 1974 and gave each government a 25% shareholding in Gulf Aviation, which became a holding company. The operating company was now branded as Gulf Air and became the carrier for the four states. The fleet comprised four Vickers VC10, three BAC One-Elevens, two Lockheed L-1011 Tristar 200s and five Boeing 737–200s, in 1978, the airline doubled the Tristar fleet to replace the VC10s. Meanwhile, the airline increased the Boeing 737 fleet to nine, the 1980s saw an increase in air travel and growth for Gulf Air. In 1981, Gulf Air became an IATA member, and in the year became the first international airline to land at Riyadh. In 1985, Emirates, the national carrier of Dubai, United Arab Emirates, began operating. In 1988, Boeing 767s joined the fleet, and the airline launched service to Frankfurt, Istanbul, Damascus, Dar es Salaam, Fujairah and Nairobi, Gulf Air celebrated its 40th anniversary in 1990. The light-blue and peach Balenciaga-designed uniform was introduced, services to Singapore, Sydney and Thiruvananthapuram were launched, Gulf Air thereby becoming the first Arab airline to fly to Australia. Gulf Air added services to Johannesburg and Melbourne in 1992, becoming the first Arab airline to fly directly to these cities. In 1993, it opened a centre in Qatar, and introduced service to Casablanca, Entebbe, Jakarta, Kilimanjaro, Madras, Rome, Sana, Zanzibar. In May 1994, Gulf Air received its first Airbus A340-300, a no-smoking policy was established in 1998 on flights to Singapore and Australia, which was later extended through its whole network
15.
James Hogan (businessman)
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James Hogan FRAeS, is an Australian airline executive based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. He is the CEO of Etihad Airways, the airline of the UAE. James Hogan grew up in Melbourne, Victoria, and attended Ivanhoe Grammar School, at Hertz, his roles included directorships of the marketing, sales, and operations divisions. In 1995 he joined the London-based executive management committee as Vice President of Marketing and Sales for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. In 1997 Hogan became service director for British Midland International, leaving in 1998 to join the Granada Group as worldwide sales director, where he sat on the board of Forte Hotels. In 2001 Hogan moved back to his native Australia, where he was appointed executive of the Tesna consortium. In 2002, he joined Gulf Air, where he was CEO for four years, on 10 September 2006, James Hogan was appointed President and CEO of Etihad Airways, the UAEs national airline based in Abu Dhabi. He has overseen Etihads rapid growth—it serves 86 passenger and cargo destinations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, Australia, and the Americas, operating a fleet of 120 aircraft. In July 2008, he signed one of the largest aircraft orders in history for 205 aircraft worth approximately US$43 billion at list prices to meet the airline’s ambitious long-term growth plans. Etihad reported its first full-year net profit in 2011, of $14 million, in February 2013 the airline announced a net profit of $42 million for 2012. He has overseen Etihads acquisitions of minority stakes in Air Berlin, Air Seychelles, Aer Lingus, Virgin Australia, Air Serbia, Darwin Airline, Jet Airways and Alitalia. On 24 January 2017, the Etihad Aviation Group Board of Directors announced that James Hogan would be stepping down in the half of 2017. Hogan is a fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a former non-executive director, in 2010, he served as the chairman of the Aviation Travel and Tourism Governors at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. He currently serves on the Executive Committee of the World Travel, CEO Middle East Magazine named him Aviation CEO of the Year in 2008 and Visionary of the Year in 2010. He won the CAPA Airline Executive of the Year 2012 Award at the Centre for Aviation’s global awards for excellence, sport is like business – its all about winning. You have to build a team, train hard and deliver results
16.
United States border preclearance
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The United States operates border preclearance facilities at a number of ports and airports in foreign countries. They are staffed and operated by U. S. Customs, travelers pass through Immigration and Customs, Public Health, and Department of Agriculture inspections before boarding their aircraft, ship or train. Preclearance exists at most major Canadian airports, arrangements also exist with some airports in Bermuda, The Bahamas, Aruba, two airports in Ireland, and one in the United Arab Emirates. When travelers from a preclearance port arrive in the U. S. they do so as domestic travellers but are subject to reinspection at the discretion of Customs. Preclearance applies to U. S. citizens as well as citizens of most other countries who travel to the U. S, as United States and Canadian laws require that those in transit must pass through the relevant customs, preclearance also applies to transit passengers. This is particularly beneficial to those who have an ongoing connection, Preclearance also provides considerable flexibility to the airlines operating in those routes where such a program is available. For example, major U. S airlines and their subsidiaries routinely operate many daily flights from locations like Toronto or Nassau to New York City, kennedy International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport. This allows them to save the space at JFK and EWR for their other international arrivals. Preclearance exists at most major Canadian airports, theoretically enabling more convenient travel from cities to the U. S. Reduced staffing levels by US Customs and Border Protection have been blamed by airport authorities, NEXUS and similar programs are now being explored and expanded as a means to try to restore some of the original convenience to the preclearance process. These facilities exist because of agreements made between the government of the United States and the governments of the host countries. Travellers who have passed through the U. S. government checks, U. S. officials may question and search travellers with the passengers permission, but they do not have powers of arrest, although they can deny boarding. Local criminal laws apply, and are enforced by local officials, some countries have laws in place specifically to cover preclearance issues. Since CBP does not have legal powers on foreign soil, passengers can only be detained for local laws by local authorities, a passenger can choose to abandon their flight and refuse search, and unlike in the United States, officers cannot search them. Most preclearance facilities have a sign explaining this, CBP Officers in the Preclearance Division are not armed while on foreign soil. Informal preclearance arrangements between the U. S. and Canada began in Toronto, Ontario, in 1952, following a request from American Airlines. This was extended and formalized with Canadas passage of the Air Transport Preclearance Act passed by the Canadian House of Commons in 1974, the preclearance agreement is fully reciprocal, meaning the Government of Canada has the option of opening Canadian Preclearance facilities in the United States. The following Canadian airports operate U. S. S, operates a preclearance post at Pacific Central Station for Amtrak Cascades rail service between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle, Washington
17.
Airports Council International
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Airports Council International is the only global trade representative of the world’s airport authorities. It aims to provide the public a safe, secure, efficient and it is governed by the ACI Governing Board. ACI World is located in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, ACI works on a daily basis with the International Civil Aviation Organization and is a member of the Air Transport Action Group. In 2012, ACI member airports worldwide handled 5.7 billion arriving and departing passengers,92.5 million metric tonnes of cargo and 79 million movements, ACI reported 573 members operating 1751 airports in 174 countries and territories, representing over 95 percent of global airport traffic. ACI regular members are owners or operators, other than airlines, along with the World Airport Awards by Skytrax, it is considered one of the most prestigious accolades in the industry
18.
Airbus A380
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The Airbus A380 is a double-deck, wide-body, four-engine jet airliner manufactured by European manufacturer Airbus. It is the worlds largest passenger airliner, and the airports at which it operates have upgraded facilities to accommodate it and it was initially named Airbus A3XX and designed to challenge Boeings monopoly in the large-aircraft market. The A380 made its first flight on 27 April 2005 and entered service on 25 October 2007 with Singapore Airlines. The A380s upper deck extends along the length of the fuselage. The A380-800 has a range of 8,500 nautical miles, serving the second- and third-longest non-stop scheduled flights in the world. As of February 2017, Airbus had received 317 firm orders and delivered 208 aircraft, mcDonnell Douglas unsuccessfully offered its smaller, double-deck MD-12 concept for sale. Roeder was given approval for further evaluations of the UHCA after a presentation to the President. The megaproject was announced at the 1990 Farnborough Air Show, with the goal of 15% lower operating costs than the 747-400. Airbus organised four teams of designers, one each of its partners to propose new technologies for its future aircraft designs. The designs were presented in 1992 and the most competitive designs were used and this joint study was abandoned two years later, Boeings interest having declined because analysts thought that such a product was unlikely to cover the projected $15 billion development cost. Despite the fact only two airlines had expressed public interest in purchasing such a plane, Airbus was already pursuing its own large-plane project. In June 1994, Airbus announced its plan to develop its own very large airliner, Airbus considered several designs, including an unusual side-by-side combination of two fuselages from its A340, the largest Airbus jet at the time. The A3XX was pitted against the VLCT study and Boeings own New Large Aircraft successor to the 747. From 1997 to 2000, as the East Asian financial crisis darkened the market outlook, Airbus refined its design, the A380 designation was a break from previous Airbus families, which had progressed sequentially from A300 to A340. It was chosen because the number 8 resembles the double-deck cross section, the aircraft configuration was finalised in early 2001, and manufacturing of the first A380 wing-box component started on 23 January 2002. The development cost of the A380 had grown to €11-14 billion when the first aircraft was completed, major structural sections of the A380 are built in France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom. A380 components are provided by suppliers from around the world, the four largest contributors, by value, are Rolls-Royce, Safran, United Technologies, for the surface movement of large A380 structural components, a complex route known as the Itinéraire à Grand Gabarit was developed. The front and rear sections are shipped on one of three RORO ships from Hamburg in northern Germany to the United Kingdom
19.
Air traffic control
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The primary purpose of ATC worldwide is to prevent collisions, organize and expedite the flow of air traffic, and provide information and other support for pilots. In some countries, ATC plays a security or defensive role, to prevent collisions, ATC enforces traffic separation rules, which ensure each aircraft maintains a minimum amount of empty space around it at all times. Many aircraft also have collision avoidance systems, which provide additional safety by warning pilots when other aircraft get too close, in many countries, ATC provides services to all private, military, and commercial aircraft operating within its airspace. Depending on the type of flight and the class of airspace, ATC may issue instructions that pilots are required to obey, or advisories that pilots may, at their discretion, disregard. Pursuant to requirements of the International Civil Aviation Organization, ATC operations are conducted either in the English language or the used by the station on the ground. In practice, the language for a region is normally used, however. In 1921, Croydon Airport, London was the first airport in the world to air traffic control. In the United States, air traffic control developed three divisions, the first of air mail radio stations was created in 1922 after World War I when the U. S. Post Office began using techniques developed by the Army to direct, over time, the AMRS morphed into flight service stations. Todays flight service stations do not issue instructions, but provide pilots with many other flight related informational services. They do relay control instructions from ATC in areas where service is the only facility with radio or phone coverage. The first airport traffic control tower, regulating arrivals, departures and surface movement of aircraft at a specific airport, approach/departure control facilities were created after adoption of radar in the 1950s to monitor and control the busy airspace around larger airports. The first air traffic control center, which directs the movement of aircraft between departure and destination was opened in Newark, NJ in 1935, followed in 1936 by Chicago. The primary method of controlling the airport environment is visual observation from the airport control tower. The tower is a tall, windowed structure located on the airport grounds, surveillance displays are also available to controllers at larger airports to assist with controlling air traffic. Controllers may use a system called secondary surveillance radar for airborne traffic approaching and departing. These displays include a map of the area, the position of aircraft, and data tags that include aircraft identification, speed, altitude. In adverse weather conditions the tower controllers may also use surface movement radar, surface movement guidance, remote and virtual tower is a system based on air traffic controllers being located somewhere other than at the local airport tower and still able to provide air traffic control services
20.
Kohn Pedersen Fox
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Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates is an American architecture firm which provides architecture, interior, programming and master planning services for clients in both the public and private sectors. KPF is one of the largest architecture firms in the world and is one of the largest in New York City. KPF’s projects over the last 10 years include Roppongi Hills in Tokyo, Unilever House in London, the Mandarin Oriental, Las Vegas, the Stephen M. In New York, KPF is presently designing the Hudson Yards Redevelopment Project, KPF recently completed One Jackson Square and served as Executive Architect for the 10-year phased expansion and renovation of New Yorks Museum of Modern Art. Current projects around the world include the Midfield Terminal Complex at the Abu Dhabi International Airport, kPFs philosophy is firmly rooted in the belief that success is the result of collaboration and dialogue. KPF explains, “A similar sentiment is central to the manner in which we weave our buildings into the environmental fabric, for a firm of its size, KPF takes on an unusually large number of restoration and renovation projects. Examples of this work include The World Bank Headquarters, Unilever House, KPF has been recognized for workplace collaboration. Shortly after its founding in 1976, the American Broadcasting Company chose KPF to redevelop a former building on Manhattan’s West Side to house TV studios. This experience led to 14 more projects for ABC over the next 11 years, as well as commissions from major corporations across the country, including the AT&T, by the mid-1980s, KPF had nearly 250 architects working on projects in cities throughout the United States. It remains a Chicago landmark, and was voted “Favorite Building” by the readers of the Chicago Tribune in both 1995 and 1997. In 1986, KPF’s Procter & Gamble Headquarters in Cincinnati, which included an open plan interior design by Patricia Conway, was recognized for its design with the AIA National Honor Award. In the 1990s, KPF also took on a number of government and civic projects. Courthouse in New York, the Mark O. Hatfield U. S, courthouse in Portland, OR, the U. S. Courthouse of Minneapolis, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the multiple award-winning redevelopment of The World Bank Headquarters in Washington, D. C. KPF’s winning entry in the competition for the World Bank Headquarters. KPF’s sensitive design solution for the World Bank, its first D. C. project, KPF completed the design for two blocks of the large-scale Canary Wharf redevelopment and the Goldman Sachs Headquarters on Fleet Street. KPF has been selected for projects in the Canary Wharf area through the present day, KPF’s subsequent work in the U. K. includes Thames Court in London, the Rothermere American Institute at Oxford University and the master plan for the London School of Economics. KPFs introduction to the Asian market began with the 4,500, within 10 years, KPF had projects in Japan, Korea, Indonesia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China
21.
Air India
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Air India is the flag carrier airline of India and the third-largest airline in India in terms of passengers carried, after IndiGo and Jet Airways. It is owned by Air India Limited, a Government of India enterprise and it is headquartered in New Delhi. Air India has its hub at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Air India became the 27th member of Star Alliance on 11 July 2014, after World War II, it became a public limited company and was renamed as Air India. On 21 February 1960, it took delivery of its first Boeing 707–420 named Gauri Shankar, in 2000–01, attempts were made to privatise Air India and from 2006 onwards, it suffered losses after its merger with Indian Airlines. Air India also operates flights to domestic and Asian destinations through its subsidiaries Alliance Air and Air India Express, Air India uses the Airbus A320 family and Boeing 787 aircraft for selected domestic routes while long distance services use the Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-200LR,747 and 787 aircraft. Air Indias mascot is the Maharajah and the logo consists of a swan with the wheel of Konark inside it. Air India had its origin in Tata Sons, founded by J. R. D. Tata, in April 1932, Tata won a contract to carry mail for Imperial Airways and the aviation department of Tata Sons was formed with two single-engine de Havilland Puss Moths. On 15 October 1932, Tata flew a Puss Moth carrying air mail from Karachi to Bombay and the continued to Madras piloted by Nevill Vintcent. The airline fleet consisted of a Puss Moth aircraft and a Leopard Moth, initial service included weekly airmail service between Karachi and Madras via Ahmedabad and Bombay. In its first year of operation, the airline flew 160,000 miles, carrying 155 passengers and 9.72 tonnes of mail, later, the airline launched a domestic flight from Bombay to Trivandrum with a six-seater Miles Merlin. In 1938, it was re-christened as Tata Air Services and later as Tata Airlines, Delhi and Colombo were added to the destinations in 1938. During the Second World War, the airline helped the Royal Air Force with troop movements, shipping of supplies, rescue of refugees and maintenance of planes. After World War II, regular service was restored in India. After the Indian independence in 1947, 49% of the airline was acquired by the Government of India in 1948, on 8 June 1948, a Lockheed Constellation L-749A named Malabar Princess took off from Bombay bound for London Heathrow marking the airlines first international flight. In 1953, the Government of India passed the Air Corporations Act, the company was renamed as Air India International Limited and the domestic services were transferred to Indian Airlines as a part of restructuring. From 1948 to 1950, the airline introduced services to Nairobi in Africa and to major European destinations Rome, Paris, the airline took delivery of its first Lockheed Constellation L-1049 named Rani of Jhansi and inaugurated services to Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Singapore. On 21 February 1960, Air India International inducted its first Boeing 707–420 named Gauri Shankar, the airline inaugurated services to New York on 14 May 1960
22.
Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport
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Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, formerly known as Sahar International Airport, is the primary international airport serving the Mumbai Metropolitan Area, India.68 million passengers. The airport is the second busiest in the country in terms of cargo traffic also, the airport has three operating terminals spread over an operational area of 750 hectares and handles about 850 aircraft movements per day. It handled a record 51 movements in one hour on 16 September 2014 and it won the 2015 ASQ Best Airport Award in the 25-40 million passengers per annum category by Airports Council International. It has also won the Best Airport in India and Central Asia award at the Skytrax 2016 World Airport Awards and it is one of the three airports in India to have implemented Airport Collaborative Decision Making to ensure timely takeoffs and landings. The new integrated terminal T2 was inaugurated on 10 January 2014, a dedicated six lane, elevated road connecting the new terminal with the main arterial Western Express Highway was also opened to the public the same day. The airport is named after the 17th-century Maratha emperor, Chhatrapati Shivaji and it was re-renamed Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, adding Maharaj to the name, by the Government of Maharashtra on 8 December 2016. CSIAs IATA airport code – BOM – is derived from Bombay and it is situated across the suburbs of Santacruz, Vile Parle and Sahar village in Andheri with the PIN code 400099. RAF Santacruz was set up in 1942 and it was a bigger airfield than Juhu and was home to several RAF squadrons during World War II from 1942 to 1947. The Airport covered an area of about 1,500 acres, one hangar was used as a domestic terminal and the other for international traffic. It had counters for customs and immigration checks on either side, Air India handled its passengers in its own terminal adjoining the two hangars. In its first year, it handled six civilian services a day, named after the neighbourhood in which it stood and initially under the aegis of the Public Works Department, the new airport was subsequently run by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. A major fire gutted the International section of the building on 21 September 1979. A temporary departure extension or Gulf Terminal was made functional in October that year until the terminal was repaired, with the dawning of the Jumbo Jet era in the 1970s, Santacruz, despite several extensions, began suffering from insufficient operational capacity. The Tata committee, set up in 1967 to examine the issues concerning the airport, had recommended the construction of a new terminal to meet the requirements of traffic in the seventies. The Santa Cruz terminal was to be used for domestic traffic alone, accordingly, construction of the new International terminal at Sahar to the north-east of Santacruz in Andheri was taken up at an estimated cost of ₹110 million. AAI had been considering the modernisation of Mumbai airport in 1996 although the AAI board approved a proposal only in 2003. By then, Mumbai and Delhi airports were handling 38% of the aircraft movement. At that time, Mumbai airport handled 13.3 million passengers, the airport faced severe congestion for both aircraft and passengers as it was handling twice as many aircraft movements per day than it was originally designed for
23.
Air India Express
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Air India Express is an Indian low-cost carrier headquartered in Kochi. It is operated by Air India Charters Limited, an owned subsidiary of flag carrier airline Air India. It operates around 550 flights per week to 29 destinations including the Middle East and Southeast Asia, Air India Express came to being on 29 April 2005, with the launch of three flights that took off simultaneously from Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode. Air India Express was Air India’s response to the popularity of LCCs worldwide. Being an LCC, the airline operates point-to-point flights without any hub, in December 2012, Air India ratified the proposal to move the headquarters to Kochi in January 2013 and for establishing a new MRO base at Thiruvananthapuram. Presently, the airline carries out 596 weekly departures, involving about 1400 flight hours at an average length of about 3.75 hours. In terms of capacity, the airline offers about 170 million ASKMs per week and its distribution system is entirely web-based. The company also launched the Air India Express Mobile App for making and modifying bookings and other customer, on 3 September 2016 the company announced that it had earned a net profit for the first time since its inception. As per the accounts placed and approved by airline’s Board of Directors, the airline made a net profit of Rs.361.68 Cr. in FY 2015-16 against the loss of Rs.61 Cr. registered in FY 2014-15. In the FY 2015-16, the airline witnessed a passenger load factor of 82. 3% against 81. 4% in the previous year, the airline carried around 2.80 million passengers against 2.62 million carried in the previous year. The airline has carried 1.64 million passengers during the period, Air India Express focuses on providing international flights from Tier II cities in India, to the Gulf and South East Asia. It maintains aircraft bases at Dubai International Airport and at Mumbais Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport, as of November 2016, the airline flies to 14 international destinations from 15 Indian cities. It expanded operations to Delhi beginning May 2016, on the domestic front, the airline operates around 200 flights per week, from the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala. The airline has increased its focus on the Kozhikode market, the largest revenue centre of the airline, on 15 September 2016, Air India Express became the first airline to connect Chandigarh directly to an international destination by the introduction of a new thrice-weekly service to Sharjah. Air India Express has also introduced direct flights to Sharjah from Tiruchirappalli. On 2 December 2016, Air India Express launched its first flight to Riyadh from Kozhikkode Karipur International Airport, kozhikode-Riyadh is the longest service in Air India Express’ network. Air India Express now operates 134 services per week between Kozhikode and the Middle East, making Kozhikode the single largest on-line destination for the Airline, the airline enhanced its frequency on this sector to five days a week, from Feb 18,2017. The aircraft crashed into a valley at the end of the runway
24.
Indira Gandhi International Airport
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Indira Gandhi International Airport serves as the primary civilian aviation hub for the National Capital Region of Delhi, India. The airport, spread over an area of 5,106 acres, is situated in Palam,15 km south-west of the New Delhi railway station and 16 km from New Delhi city centre. Named after Indira Gandhi, a former Prime Minister of India and it is busiest airport in the country in terms of cargo traffic in the recent year overtaking Mumbai during late 2015. With the commencement of operations at Terminal 3 in 2010, it became Indias and South Asias largest aviation hub, the planned expansion program will increase the airports capacity to handle 100 million passengers by 2030. The airport handled over 48 million passengers in the fiscal year 2015–16, in calendar year 2016, the airport was the 21st busiest airport in the world by passenger traffic and 10th busiest airport in Asia handling over 55 million passengers. The airport was operated by the Indian Air Force before its management was transferred to the Airports Authority of India, in May 2006, the management of the airport was passed over to Delhi International Airport Limited, a consortium led by the GMR Group. In September 2008, the airport inaugurated a 4,430 m runway, the Terminal 3 building, which commenced operations in 2010, has a capacity to handle 34 million passengers annually. Terminal 3 is the worlds 8th largest passenger terminal, the airport uses an advanced system called Airport Collaborative Decision Making to help keep takeoffs and landings timely and predictable. In 2010, IGIA was conferred the fourth best airport award in the world in the 15–25 million category, the airport was rated as the Best airport in the world in the 25–40 million passengers category in 2015, by Airports Council International. Delhi Airport was awarded The Best Airport in Central Asia and Best Airport Staff in Central Asia at the Skytrax World Airport Awards 2015, IGI also stood first in the new rankings for 2015 Airport Service Quality Awards. Safdarjung Airport was built in 1930 and was the airport for Delhi until 1962. Due to increasing passenger traffic at Safdarjung, civilian operations were moved to Palam Airport in 1962, Palam Airport had been built during World War II as RAF Station Palam and after the British left, it served as an Air Force Station for the Indian Air Force. Palam Airport had a capacity of around 1,300 passengers per hour. Owing to an increase in air traffic in the 1970s, a terminal with nearly four times the area of the old Palam terminal was constructed. With the inauguration of a new terminal, on 2 May 1986. On 2 May 2006, the management of Delhi and Mumbai airports were handed over to the private consortia, Delhi International Airport Limited is a consortium of the GMR Group, Fraport and Malaysia Airports, and the Airports Authority of India retains a 26% stake. Nine years later, in May 2015, Malaysia Airports chose it exit from DIAL venture, following this GMR Groups stake at DIAL increased to 64%. Earlier GMR indicated that it was interested in buying out the 10% stake of Fraport, the old domestic airport is known as Terminal 1 and handles domestic flights for all budget airlines
25.
Cochin International Airport
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Cochin International Airport is an international airport situated in the city of Kochi, in the state of Kerala, India. It is the busiest and largest airport in the state of Kerala, the airstrip was converted into a military airport by the Indian Navy during World War II. The Royal Navy chose it as a site for their headquarters in Southern India and as an air station cum landing craft. The military facility hosted naval fighter planes and was intended to thwart possible Japanese air raids, a small naval unit set up just two days before the outbreak of World War II. After Indian Independence, the Indian Navy operated the airport, though it permitted civilian aircraft to use the facility, the Gulf economic boom of the 1980s made it necessary to develop international transportation to Kochi in the interests of expatriates working in the Middle East. The resolution was rejected by the Navy for security reasons, however, the government of Indias Airport Authority of India did not have enough funds to commence a greenfield airport. This led to the formation of an idea of collecting funds from the public and individuals to construct an airport. The idea was put forward by Mr. V. J. Kurian, the original proposal for the airport outlined an estimated cost of ₹100 crore and an expected date of commission in 1997. Approval was granted in May 1993, a body called the Cochin International Airport Society, under the chairmanship of the chief minister of Kerala, was registered in July 1993 to execute the project. A total of 2,000 acres of land was acquired for the construction of the airport, approximately 2,300 landowners and 872 families were resettled under a rehabilitation package. Major electric lines and a canal had to be diverted. The facility was inaugurated by the then President of India, KR Narayanan on 25 May 1999. The operations from the old airport were moved to CIAL on 1 July 1999. The airport had 18,580 m2 of floor space at its inauguration, CIAL envisioned six phases of expansion over 20 years, the third phase of which was completed in 2009. The original airport terminal was small enough envisioned to handle just 100 passengers at a time, however, by 2001, the international passenger traffic were growing, making necessary to redevelop the terminal. Most of the expansion has occurred in the terminal, as it accounts for more than 78% of all traffic. In 2002 the original floor area had risen. As part of two of the expansion plans, an airline center complex of 7,500 m2 was constructed on the western side of the terminal to accommodate airline
26.
Calicut International Airport
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Calicut International Airport, also known as Karipur Airport, is an international airport serving the cities of Kozhikode and Malappuram in Kerala, India. It is located in Karipur, about 25 km from Malappuram and 28 km from Kozhikode, the airport serves as an operating base for Air India Express. It was the twelfth busiest airport in India in terms of passenger traffic. It is the third busiest airport in Kerala after Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram and it was given international airport status on 2 February 2006. The airport was inaugurated in April 1988, Calicut airport gained its sanction after a long period of struggle, which began in 1977, under the leadership of freedom fighter late K. P. In the 1990s, Gulf Malayalis played an important part in the development of the airport - they collected funds for the purpose and this led to the inception of, the Malabar International Airport Development Society, which helped raise funds for the airports development. Consequently, major developments of facilities, such as extension of runway from 6,000 feet to 9,000 feet to facilitate operation of big-bodied aircraft, were carried out, with loans from HUDCO. It received the status of an airport on February 2,2006. It holds the distinction of being the 12th busiest airport in India, runway Re carpeting completed and 24 hour operation started on 01/03/2017. A15,000 m2 international terminal has opened to passengers. Five conveyor belts have been installed at the arrival terminal, the approach to Calicut airport runway is surrounded with hills and valleys. The approach funnel area of the runway 28 is a 30 m to 70 m deep undulated valley up to a distance of 6,000 m, immediately following the tabletop runway of 2,860 m long. This terrain needs a special type of approach lighting system to enhance safety for aircraft operations both during night and poor visibility conditions. Airports Authority of India have provided runway lead-in lighting system for the first time in India at Calicut airport as per the recommendations of the DGCA. As a result, Emirates, Saudia and 2 Air India 747 flight operations had to move temporarily to Cochin International Airport during this time, AAI had earlier instructed all airports using widebody aircraft must have 240m of RESA on each direction vs Calicut airports 75m. The major hurdle in extending the runway is the delay in acquiring the land which require a total of 385 acres of land for extending the runway, the state government has been finding the task difficult as it requires evacuation of 1500 families living around the airport. As of June 10,2016, not much action has taken for land acquisition to help increase the runway length. On 17 January 1969, Douglas C-47A VT-DTH of Hindu Publications crashed on take-off, the aircraft was operating a cargo flight
27.
Madurai Airport
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Madurai Airport is a custom airport serving Madurai and its surrounding districts in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Madurai airfield was first used by the Royal Air Force in World War II in 1942, the first passenger flight was a Fokker Friendship aircraft on the Madras – Madurai – Trivandrum – Madurai – Madras route in 1956. It was identified as one of 35 non-metro airports for modernization, the airport was notified as customs airport. The notification, issued on 31 December 2011, came into effect from 1 January 2012, in a historic event, two chartered flights from Malaysia landed at the airport on 25 August 2012, making them the first international aircraft that landed in the temple city. The first commercial international flight started on 20 September 2012 by SpiceJet commencing its maiden service to Colombo, spicejet started its second international flight from Madurai to Dubai on 22 November 2013. The airport has two adjacent terminals, currently the integrated terminal is used for both international and domestic purposes. The Airports Authority of India is planning to convert the old terminal into a cargo complex, as the part of modernizing 35 non-metro airports, AAI constructed a state-of-art new integrated passenger terminal adjacent to the old terminal. The ₹1.29 billion new integrated terminal building was inaugurated on 12 September 2010. A total of 610 acres of land is under acquisition for the expansion of the runway to 12,500 ft to accommodate jet aircraft. This terminal with an area of 17,560 m2 can handle a capacity of 250 each on arrival. The airport parking area has the capacity to park 375 cars and 10 buses, the new terminal has two lounges, a VIP lounge managed by AAI and a Commercial Important Persons lounge managed by Tamil Nadu Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Considering the growing potential in Madurai Airport, AAI has decided to modify the old terminal into a full-fledged cargo complex. To start with, the Union finance ministry has issued customs notification dated May 28,2013 to handle cargo at the Madurai airport, works are going on a fast pace to start cargo lifting in the end of March 2014. A cold storage facility is also being established for perishable cargo which is expected to dominate the export from this region, international Cargo will start its operation from April 2017. The main runway is 2,285 m ×45 m with a PCN92 R/B/W/T,8 F/A/W/T fit for B737-800 series, ILS Cat-I is available for main runway 09/27. The master plan of the airport includes a complex along with two additional terminal buildings, expansion of runway and other facilities. The authority wants additional land for the same along with air control tower and other facilities to cater to the increasing passenger movement. AAI had asked around 610 acres of land in Madurai to take up runway extension work, the state government has promised that land will be acquired and handed over on time
28.
Mangaluru Airport
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Mangaluru Airport, also known as the Bajpe airport, is an international airport serving the coastal city of Mangalore, India. It is one of the only two International airports in Karnataka, the one being Kempegowda International Airport, Bangalore. Several daily flights connect Mangalore with most major cities in southern and western India as well as major cities in the Middle East. The airport, then the Bajpe Aerodrome, was opened on 25 December 1951 when then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru arrived on a DC-3 Dakota aircraft. As of 2014, Mangaluru Airport has one of highest year-over-year passenger growth rates in India, the airport is near Bajpe, around 13 km northeast of Mangalore city centre. It is on top of a hill, with two tabletop runways, only two other airports in India have tabletop runways – Kozhikode and Lengpui. The terminal was small and had basic facilities, it was renovated in the early 2000s. New seats were added, parking controls were introduced, and additional cafes were opened, the airport was initially used for limited domestic flights, mainly Mumbai and Bangalore. The operation of flights started in 2006 with Air India Express flying to Dubai. Mangaluru Airport was an airport for six years, from 3 October 2006 to 3 October 2012. Until 2005, the small 1,600 m runway meant the airport could only handle Boeing 737-400 size aircraft, the longer runway now handles slightly larger aircraft. On 10 January 2006 an Airbus A319 of Kingfisher Airlines was the first aircraft in that class to land on the new runway, on 28 September 2012 an Airbus A310 landed for the first time at Mangalore. It was a flight for the Hajj pilgrims to Mecca. Airport has seen double digit growth in traffic after introducing international flights. As of 2014, the airport had a growth of 21.51 per cent in passenger handling during 2013–14 and it has handled 1,255,000 passengers in 2013–14 against 1,032,000 in 2012–13. The airport is expected to handle 900,000 passengers in 2025, in 2011–12 the airport had a revenue of ₹42.64 crores and an operating profit of ₹87.6 million, up from ₹8.3 million in 2006–07. In 2012–13 the airport handled a landmark 1.02 million passengers with 11,940 aircraft movements, the revenue for the same period was Rs 506.6 million, and it recorded an operating profit of Rs 164.9 million during 2012–13. In 2013–14 it handled a 1.25 million passengers with revenues of Rs 638.9 million, the first runway,1,615 m long, was opened in 1951
29.
Trivandrum International Airport
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Trivandrum International Airport is in Thiruvananthapuram and is the first airport in the state of Kerala, India. It was the international airport of India declared by then Prime Minister of India. The airport is a base for Air India Express operations and is a focus city for Air India, Jet Airways, SpiceJet. There are flights to Middle eastern and South eastern countries from here, Trivandrum International Airport operates two terminals. Terminal 1 handles domestic operations and Terminal 2 handles all international flight operations as well as all domestic flights by Air India. In addition to operations, Trivandrum Airport caters to the Indian Air Force. IAF have an apron to handle all their operations. Trivandrum airport also caters to the Rajiv Gandhi Academy for Aviation Technology which carries out training activities. The airport was established in 1932 as part of the Royal Flying Club under the initiative of Colonel Goda Varma Raja, Consort Prince of HRH Queen Karthika Thirunal of Travancore Kingdom. Col G. V Raja, a pilot, felt the need an airport to accommodate Travancore in the aviation map of India. A detailed report was made and presented to the King by Consort Prince in this regard, in 1935, on royal patronage of H. H Maharaja Chithira Thirunal, Tata Airlines made its maiden flight to the airport using DH. The first flight took off on 1 November 1935, carrying mails of Royal Anchal to Bombay, in 1938, the Royal Government of Travancore acquired a Dakota as Maharajas private aircraft and placed the first squadron of Royal Indian Air Force for protection of state from aerial attacks. After Independence, the airstrip was used for flights with construction of a domestic terminal. International operations were initiated by Air India to cities in the Arabian Peninsula in the late 1970s using Boeing 707, by early 80s, the then Indian Airlines started service to Colombo, followed by service to Male. Later, SriLankan Airlines and Air Maldives, the cargo warehouse is on the airport premises. It has a capacity to import 21000 MT and export 27000 MT per annum, in 2010-11, the airport achieved MT of import cargo and MT of export cargo. Major cargo jets such as Emirates has begun flights to Trivandrum International Airport, the air traffic control tower is 18 m tall. There are plans to build a new 43m tall ATC tower for Trivandrum airport near the new international terminal. The airport has an instrument landing system using distance measuring equipment, the Instrument Landing System allows aircraft landings in reduced visibility
30.
Air Seychelles
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Air Seychelles is the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles, with its head office located at Seychelles International Airport on the island of Mahé. It operates inter-island services, charter services and international flights and its main base is Seychelles International Airport. As the main driver of tourism in Seychelles, it is one of the pillars of the national economy. The airline offers flights to Abu Dhabi, Antananarivo, Johannesburg, Mauritius, Mumbai, Durban, Düsseldorf. Air Seychelles also operates domestic flights and charter services throughout the archipelago. The airline is currently 40% owned by Etihad Airways, the airline of the United Arab Emirates. The airline began international routes in 1983 to Frankfurt and London, in February 2012 the United Arab Emirates national carrier, Etihad Airways, invested US$45 million in Air Seychelles for a 40% share in the airline. After running at a loss for two years in a row, Air Seychelles planned to restructure and re-position itself to return to profit. The airline entered into agreements with Etihad Airways and started flying to Abu Dhabi in March 2012 to connect to Etihad Airways extensive network of destinations. Passengers can now travel worldwide via Abu Dhabi from the Seychelles, on 16 March 2012, Air Seychelles announced a two-year business plan with the objective of improving the carriers position. The plan outlines the renewal of Air Seychelles fleet, leveraging Etihad Airways equity partnership – known as Etihad Airways Partners, on 12 March 2015, Air Seychelles released their results for 2014, declaring US$3.2 million in net profits. Etihad Airways Partners is Etihad Airways equity alliances group of which Air Seychelles is a part, participating airlines include Alitalia, Jet Airways, airberlin, NIKI, Air Serbia, Air Seychelles and Etihad Regional. Frequent flyer members also have access to standardized mileage and tier benefits across all partners, with no black-out periods, Air Seychelles was originally set up and owned by the Government of Seychelles, having purchased and grouped together several small aircraft operators under one company. Following problems of management and profitability, Etihad Airways acquired a 40 per cent stake in Air Seychelles in 2012, the colors used on the tail end are blue, green, red and white. In October 2015, Business Insider magazine had voted Air Seychelles as having one of the best liveries in the sky, the branding came in as one of the top three paint jobs in the sky. Air Seychelles began domestic operations using Trilanders, Islanders and later the Shorts 360 aircraft. The current domestic fleet consists of only DeHavilland DHC-6 Twin Otters, Air Seychelles sentiment is to reflect the best of Creole hospitality, culture and values, by treating their passengers with Creole warmth. Each seat comes with a personal,10.4 inch TV screen with a selection of movies, TV Shows, documentaries and games, PC power outlet
31.
Seychelles International Airport
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Seychelles International Airport, or Aéroport de la Pointe Larue in French, is the international airport of the Seychelles located on the island of Mahé near the capital city of Victoria. The airport serves as the base and the head office of Air Seychelles and features several regional. The airport is 11 km southeast of the capital and is accessible by the Victoria-Providence Highway and it forms part of the administrative districts of La pointe Larue, Cascade/Providence and Anse aux pins. A cargo terminal is situated south of the terminal and handles freight from all international and domestic movements. A military base of the Seychelles Public Defence Force exists at the end of runway 13 in the south on an island joined with Mahé at the construction of the airport. The opening of the Seychelles International Airport took place on 20 March 1972 by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Wilkenair of Kenya had, however, already started a service between Mombasa and Mahé via Diego Suarez in Madagascar and Astove Island using a twin engine Piper Navajo the previous year. It operated to the Seychelles once a week and it was followed by East African Airways in November 1971 and Luxair in December of the same year. A BOAC Super VC10 was the first jet aircraft to land at Seychelles International Airport on 4 July 1971, at the time of the opening it had a 2987 m runway and a control tower. Ground handling and all airport operations were carried out by the DCA. In 1972 John Faulkner Taylor founded the first local aircraft company called Air Mahé and this was later replaced by a Britten Norman BN-2AIII Islander. By 1974, over 30 airlines were flying to the Seychelles, ground handling and all airport operations were being carried out by Aviation Seychelles Company, a company formed in 1973. Construction works for the expansion of the Seychelles International Airport started in July 1980. Due to the increase in passenger traffic, a terminal building was built that could cater for 400 more arriving and 400 more departing passengers at any time. Parking bays for up to six aircraft were catered for as well as an aircraft parking area capable of handling five aircraft. After their hidden weapons were discovered on arrival a skirmish ensued, the years 2005/2006 brought further development to civil aviation in the Seychelles. The Civil Aviation Authority Act was enacted on 4 April 2006 for the corporatisation of the Directorate of Civil Aviation to Seychelles Civil Aviation Authority. Works started to upgrade and extend the building, which has been further extended to handle at least five medium to large jet aircraft as well as six smaller jet aircraft
32.
AirBaltic
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Its main hub is at Riga International Airport with further bases at Tallinn Airport and Vilnius Airport. The airline was established as Air Baltic on 28 August 1995 with the signing of a joint venture between Scandinavian Airlines and the Latvian state. Operations started on 1 October 1995 with the arrival of the first Air Baltic aircraft, a Saab 340, at Riga, and that afternoon, in 1996, the airlines first Avro RJ70 was delivered, and Air Baltic joined the SAS frequent flier club as a partner. 1997 saw the opening of a department and, in 1998. The adopted livery was white, with the name of the airline written in blue on the forward fuselage. The checker blue pattern was repeated on the aircraft tailfin, in 1999, Air Baltic became a joint stock company, it was previously a limited liability company. All of their Saab 340s were replaced by Fokker 50s, by September, the airline had begun operating under the European Aviation Operating Standards, or JAR ops. Air Baltic welcomed the new millennium by introducing new uniforms and opening a center at Rigas airport. The first Boeing 737–500 joined the fleet in 2003, and on 1 June 2004, Air Baltic launched services from the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, in October 2004, Air Baltic was rebranded as AirBaltic. Their present livery consists of a fuselage and lime tailfin. AirBaltic. com is displayed on the upper fuselage. In December 2006, the first Boeing 737–300 joined the fleet and was configured with winglets, in July 2007, AirBaltic introduced an online check-in system. It was the first online system in the Baltic states. In the spring of 2008, two long-haul Boeing 757s joined the existing AirBaltic fleet, on 10 March 2008, it was announced that in the next three years the airline would acquire new aircraft, experiencing the largest fleet expansion in the companys history. The new additions will be next generation Q400 aircraft, AirBaltic had strong links with SAS, which owned 47. Some of AirBaltics products and services are shared with SAS, including co-ordinated timetabling. AirBaltic is not a member of any alliance, but does have codeshare agreements in place with several Star Alliance member airlines. AirBaltic had secondary hubs at Vilnius International Airport and Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport, the majority of the routes commenced from Tallinn were cancelled shortly after opening, leading to complaints from the Estonian Consumer Protection Department
33.
Riga International Airport
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Riga International Airport is the international airport of Riga, the capital of Latvia, and the largest airport in the Baltic states with direct flights to over 90 destinations in 30 countries. It serves as a hub for airBaltic, SmartLynx Airlines, RAF-Avia, Vip Avia and Inversija, Latvian national carrier airBaltic is the biggest in the airport, followed by Ryanair. The airport is located in the Mārupe municipality 5.4 NM west of Riga and is a state-owned joint-stock company, the holder of the state capital share is Latvias Ministry of Transport. The airport was built in 1973 as an alternative to Spilve Airport, renovation and modernization of the airport was completed in 2001, coinciding with the 800th anniversary of the founding of the city. In 2006 and 2016, the new north terminal extensions were opened, the airport has three terminals, A & B for Schengen and C for both Schengen and non-Schengen departures. Arrivals 1, in terminal A, handles the Schengen arrivals, while Arrivals 2, in terminal C, a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility was opened in the autumn of 2006, to be run as a joint venture between two local companies, Concors and SR-Technik. The airport has ILS CAT II, the airport is owned by the Republic of Latvia via the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Latvia. Moreover, there are bus connections from the airport to cities in Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Russia. Riga Airport can be reached by car via the highway P133 which connects the airport with European route E22, the airport has 3 car parking areas, with ~1500 parking spaces, offering both short- and long-term parking. AirBaltic has its office on the property of Riga Airport. The Latvian Civil Aviation Agency also has its office at Riga Airport. On 17 September 2016 an airBaltic Bombardier Dash 8 Q400 NextGen aircraft made a landing on the runway of Riga International Airport without its nose landing gear deployed. The plane was carrying 63 passengers and 4 crewmembers and was forced to return to Riga International Airport following issues with its front chassis, the runway was closed between 10,26 and 15,55 as a safety precaution following an emergency landing. Seven inbound flights and four flights were cancelled,17 flights were diverted to Tallinn Airport and Kaunas Airport. The aircraft involved was YL-BAI and the flight BT641 was scheduled to fly from Riga to Zürich Airport, on 17 February 2017 a VIM Airlines charter flight to Ufa, Russia slid off the runway during take-off. The plane was carrying 40 passengers and 7 crew members, aircrafts engine was damaged as it hit airport equipment. The runway was checked and closed for three hours after incident, flights were diverted to Tallinn Airport and Kaunas Airport and others were delayed. The Transport Accident and Incident Investigation Bureau of Latvia started an investigation
34.
Airblue
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Airblue Limited is a private Pakistani low-cost airline with its head office on the 12th floor of the Islamabad Stock Exchange Towers in Islamabad, Pakistan. Airblue operates scheduled flights linking Pakistani domestic destinations with international destinations in Oman, Saudi Arabia, the airline was inaugurated by Zafarullah Khan Jamali. This allowed the airline to expand into cities in Pakistan including Peshawar, Quetta. On 14 August 2005 Airblue launched its first international flight from Karachi to Dubai, on June 4,2007, Airblue launched its inaugural flight to Manchester using the Airbus A321. There were plans to launch flights from Lahore to London Stansted in 2014, Airblue changed its IATA code from ED to PA in June 2012, the new code originally belonged to the defunct and once iconic carrier Pan American World Airways. In 2011 the airline launched service to Istanbul using Sabiha Gokcen Airport, with full rights to from Pakistan. In June 2012, Airblue finalised an agreement to acquire one Airbus A320 and it was also looking at various types of turboprop aircraft for new domestic routes but this plan was eventually dropped. The A340s later also flew to the Middle East, technical issues related to the aircraft eventually led to them being phased out by January 2014, they had been leased for a five-year term. UK operations also ended with Birmingham being dropped after just three months service and Manchester ending in January 2014, Airblue serves the following destinations as of August 2016, the list also includes former routes. All aircraft in the fleet have a 3-by-3 layout in an all economy cabin, Airblue formerly had a business class section, but dropped it due to exogenous economic factors. Airblue was the first airline in Pakistan to introduce e-ticketing, wireless check-in, the airline also uses Sabre, a ticket distribution system. The Airblue frequent flyer program is called Blue Miles, passengers are able to initially start on the base level where sign up is free. Once passengers earn enough miles, there are upgrades to the Blue Card followed by the Platinum Card, in May 2009, the airline formed an alliance with Faysal Bank to offer credit cards. Airblue inaugurated its own lounge at Jinnah International Airport, Karachi in November 2008. Named the Blue Lounge International, it was designed for business passengers, credit card holders. The lounge offered Internet facilities, cable television, newspapers and magazines, massage chairs and it was located in the international terminal of the airport. Airblue has launched e-Cargo service to cater to air freight markets of Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, according to a press release, e-Cargo will broaden the base of cargo and permit certified agents to book freight directly online opening the inventory through Web. Radio contact with the aircraft was lost at approx, all 152 occupants of the aircraft were killed in the crash
35.
Benazir Bhutto International Airport
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Benazir Bhutto International Airport is the third-largest airport in Pakistan, serving the capital Islamabad and its twin city Rawalpindi in the province of Punjab. Previously known as the Islamabad International Airport, it was renamed after the late Pakistani leader Benazir Bhutto by the then Prime Minister of Pakistan, the airport is actually located outside Islamabad, in the area of Chaklala, Rawalpindi. Being the main airport for the Pakistani capital it often hosts officials, the airfield is shared with the transport and liaison squadrons of the Pakistan Air Force, which refers to it as PAF Base Nur Khan. In the fiscal year 2008–2009, over 3,136,664 passengers used Benazir Bhutto International Airport and 34,025 aircraft movements were registered, the airport serves as a hub for the flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines. It is also the hub of Shaheen Air International and a city of airblue. The government recently launched a Rs.399 million project to renovate, the renovation was completed by March,2015. The airport is likely to open for commercial flights in August 2017, the airport project was conceived initially in 1984 for which the acquisition of land in Attock started the same year. Constructed approximately 20 km west of the cities, it is being built to replace the existing Benazir Bhutto International Airport which doesnt have the capacity to handle air traffic. After repeated delays, the project is expected to be operational by mid-2017. The airport is connected to Islamabad via the Kashmir Highway and Rawalpindi via the GT Road, a 26 km six lane highway is under-construction to further expand the connectivity of the airport. The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Metrobus is planned to be expanded to connect the Islamabad with the metropolitan area, once completed it will be the first greenfield airport in Pakistan and the first to support the landing of Airbus A380. The terminal includes 15 gates with ten gates, a four-star hotel, duty-free shops. Expansion Statistics, Benazir Bhutto International Airport is a civil and military airport which handles VIPs as well as scheduled operations for many airlines. Foreign diplomats, high government officials, as well as military officials are welcomed at this airport. Currently, the airport is able to handle eleven wide body aircraft at one time and it cannot accommodate large aircraft such as the Airbus A380 or the Boeing 747-8. At the moment, the airport does not have any air bridges installed, *Notes,1, Air Chinas flight from Islamabad to Beijing continues on to Karachi. However, Air China does not have eighth freedom rights to carry passengers solely from Islamabad to Karachi, on 18 May 1959, a PIA Vickers 815 Viscount skidded off the runway causing the aircraft to stop in a monsoon ditch. The aircraft suffered damage, no crew or passengers were harmed in the accident
36.
Allama Iqbal International Airport
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Allama Iqbal International Airport is the second largest civil airport in Pakistan, serving Lahore, the capital of Punjab province as well a large portion of the travellers from the Punjab province. Originally known as Lahore International Airport, it was renamed after Allama Iqbal, the airport currently has three terminals, the Allama Iqbal terminal, the Hajj terminal and a cargo terminal. The airport is located about 15 km from the centre of the city, a total of 3,192,904 passengers travelled through Allama Iqbal International Airport in 2009 making it the second busiest airport in Pakistan. At the time of the Independence of Pakistan, Walton Airport was the airport of Lahore. When Pakistan International Airlines acquired its first Boeing 720 Walton was unable to handle the load of a jet aircraft, the Government of Pakistan decided to build a brand new airport, which opened in 1962. The airport had a specifically built runway and apron to handle aircraft up to the Boeing 747 and this allowed Lahore to open its gates to the world. PIA initiated direct flights to Dubai and London via Karachi, over the course of the next twenty five years the demand for air travel rose. It meant that the government had to build a new airport to meet the needs for of the region. In March 2003, a new terminal was inaugurated by General Pervez Musharraf originally commissioned by then ex prime minister Nawaz Sharif, the airport was named Allama Iqbal International Airport and became the second largest airport in Pakistan after Jinnah International Airport in Karachi. All flights were switched to the new airport and the old airport was passed onto the military, however, the government later reclaimed the airport from the military and developed it into a Hajj terminal. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority awarded the contract to Airsys ATM, leader of a consortium with J&P Overseas Ltd. Airsys ATM is a joint project from Thomson-CSF Airsys and Siemens, dedicated to air traffic management systems, the Airports Group in the UK was also awarded a $70m contract for airport systems construction. The project was implemented by a consortium of Joannou & Paraskevaides, responsible for civil and building works, Airsys ATM and Thales ATM were responsible for the fabrication and installation of the air bridges at the new terminal. In 2008, the flag carrier of the UAE, Etihad Airways. On 3 March 2014, the Prime Minister approved the plans for the extension of the AIIA terminal. On 8 February 2015, the Hajj terminal was renovated with new check in, lounges. At the inauguration of Multan International Airport in 2015, the Prime Minister, the airport will have a separate terminal for domestic passengers. It was also announced that a new wide body aircraft hangar would be built at the airport to accommodate aircraft as large as the Boeing 777, LHE is fitted with all the essentials for domestic and international flights
37.
Bacha Khan International Airport
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Bacha Khan International Airport, previously called Peshawar International Airport, is an international airport located in the city of Peshawar in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. Located about a 10-minute drive from the centre of Peshawar, it is the fourth busiest airport in Pakistan, one unusual feature is that one end of the main runway is crossed by a railway line – the seldom-used Khyber train safari to Landi Kotal in the Khyber Pass. The airport was renamed on 27 January 2012 after Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan, since Peshawar is the capital of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, it provides world connections for the majority of the northwest region of the country and adjoining areas of Afghanistan. Since the province has a large Afghan Pashtun community residing within KPK, the airport traces its origins to 1927 when there was a small airfield that catered to much of the British Empire and aircraft that were either travelling onwards to the east or west. For this reason the city was given the nickname Gateway to the East because it linked the traditional culture to modern occidental traditions. The airport only gained importance after the independence of Pakistan from the British Raj. The Civil Aviation Authority of Pakistan and the Pakistan Air Force started to use the airfield jointly for both military and civil operations, there were countless flights operated to and from Pakistans largest city, Karachi, as well as other cities within the newly formed state. The airport achieved international status in 1965 when the first flight was operated from Kabul, the flight was operated by the national flag carrier, Pakistan International Airlines. As years went on the airport grew with more flights and aircraft and it was not until 1981 that the CAA extended the terminal to meet future needs for the next decade and to meet the estimated growth of passengers. The apron was developed fully by 1986, where the airport was able to handle four wide body aircraft, in January 2008 the provincial government meet to discuss the expansion work needed to upgrade the quality of the aircraft in terms of facilities, terminal modernisation and cargo growth. In June 2008 the Deputy Director General of the CAA, Air Vice Marshal Sajid Habib, said that five billion rupees have been allocated to expand, details of the work performed are ambiguous. Peshawar is a passenger hub with 75% flights internationally bound. The airport is currently under evaluation to be upgraded to make it compatible with future needs of the geographical location, the CAA is currently working with the provincial government to develop the airport to meet international standards. At present the technical features are available at the airport. Runway 9,000 feet long,150 feet wide with 10-foot-wide shoulders on either side corresponding to International Civil Aviation Organisation Category 4E and it is crossed by a railway line, one of the rare such runways in the world. Combination of flexible and rigid pavements, nose-in parking for 4 wide-bodied aircraft at a time or 3 Airbus and 2 narrow body aircraft at a time. Lounges Two Domestic Departure and Arrivals with an internet facility in each. Two International Departure and Arrival Halls with /Wireless internet facility in each, one Executive Lounge for Premium and CIP passengers
38.
Biman Bangladesh Airlines
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Biman Bangladesh Airlines, partly transcribed from English into Bengali and the other way around, commonly known as Biman, is the flag carrier of Bangladesh. The airline provides international passenger and cargo services to its destinations, as of April 2015, it has air service agreements with 42 countries, the airlines headquarters, Balaka Bhaban, is located in Kurmitola, Dhaka. Annual Hajj flights, transporting tourists and non-resident Bangladeshi workers and migrants, created in February 1972, Biman enjoyed an internal monopoly in the aviation industry of Bangladesh until 1996. In the decades following its founding, the airline expanded its fleet and destinations but it was affected by corruption. At its peak, Biman operated flights to 29 international destinations, since becoming a public limited company in 2007, the airline has reduced staff and begun to modernise its fleet. The airline has made a deal with Boeing for ten new aircraft along with options for ten more, Biman Bangladesh Airlines was established on 4 January 1972 as Bangladeshs national airline under the Bangladesh Biman Ordinance. The airline was initially called Air Bangladesh but was changed to its current name. On 4 February 1972, Biman started its services, initially linking Dhaka with Chittagong, Jessore and Sylhet. On 4 March 1972, Biman started its operations with a weekly flight to London using a Boeing 707 chartered from British Caledonian. The short haul fleet was supplemented by a Fokker F27 from India on 3 March 1972, three additional Fokker F27s were acquired during March and September of that year. In the first year of operation, Biman operated 1,079 flights carrying just over 380,000 passengers, four Fokker F27s joined the fleet in 1973, enabling Biman to double the frequency of the Kolkata flight to a twice daily service. A Boeing 707 was added to the fleet in September and the flight to London became twice-weekly, in 1974, operations were extended to Kathmandu, Bangkok and Dubai. In 1976, Biman sold two of its Fokker F27s and bought another Boeing 707 to extend services to Abu Dhabi, Karachi. In 1977, Biman was converted into a public corporation to be governed by a board of directors appointed by the government. The airline broke even for the first time in 1977–78, International destinations expanded to include Kuala Lumpur, Athens, Muscat and Tripoli in 1979, followed by Yangon, Tokyo and Dhahran in 1980. Biman took delivery of its first 85-seater Fokker F28-4000 in 1981, in 1983, three Douglas DC-10s joined the fleet and the airline started to phase out the Boeing 707s. The flight network expanded further to include Baghdad, Paris and Bahrain, on 5 August 1984, Biman faced its worst accident ever when a Fokker F27 flying in from Chittagong crashed near Dhaka, killing all 49 on board. The long haul fleet was supplemented by the purchase of two new Airbus A310s in 1996, followed by the addition of two more in 2000, from Singapore Airlines and Air Jamaica, and another in 2003
39.
Shahjalal International Airport
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Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, formerly Zia International Airport, is the largest airport in Bangladesh. Operated and maintained by the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh, it is used by the Bangladesh Air Force as a part of BAF Bangabandhu Base. Located in Kurmitola in northern Dhaka, it started operations in 1980 and it is the hub of all Bangladeshi airlines, including Biman Bangladesh Airlines, United Airways, Regent Airways, Novoair and US-Bangla Airlines. The airports IATA code – DAC is derived from Dacca, the previously used spelling for Dhaka, the airport has an area of 1,981 acres. The airport has a capacity of handling 15 million passengers annually, in 2014, it handled 6.1 million passengers, and 248,000 tonnes of cargo. Average aircraft movement per day is around 190 flights, national flag carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines is the ground handling provider of the airport. The airport is located in Kurmitola and was originally 11 NM north of the capital Dhaka and it can be accessed by the eight-lane Airport Road. To the north of the airport lies Uttara and Gazipur, while Dhaka city lies to its south, there is a railway station immediately opposite to the airport named Airport Railway Station. The nearest hotel near the airport is the Le Meridien Hotel, a Best Western hotel opened in late 2014. Due to the expansion of the city, the airport has been engulfed by the city, after the creation of Pakistan in 1947, Tejgaon Airport became the first civil airport in what was then East Pakistan, current day Bangladesh. For transportation of materials a rail station was built near the site. However, the new airstrip was halfway done when the Bangladesh Liberation War broke out in 1971, during war, the airstrip suffered severe damage. After independence, the government of Bangladesh restarted works abandoned by the previous contractors and it decided to make the airport the countrys principal international airport and appointed Aéroports de Paris of France as its new consultants. The airport began operations in 1980 after the runway and central portion of the present terminal building was formally opened by then-President Ziaur Rahman as Dacca International Airport. In 2010, the government changed the name once again, from Zia International Airport to Shahjalal International Airport, to honour Shah Jalal. On 6 December 2011, ZA006, a Boeing 787 stopped for fuel at Shahjalal International Airport during a distance, speed and this flight surpassed the previous distance record of 9,127 nautical miles, set in 2002 by an Airbus A330. The aircraft then continued eastbound from Dhaka to return to Boeing Field, in 1992, the airport terminal area experienced rapid expansion with addition of boarding bridges and equipment. A multistorey car park space for 500 cars was also built at this time
40.
Osmani International Airport
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Osmani International Airport is third largest international airport in Bangladesh after Dhaka and Chittagong. The airport is operated by the Civil Aviation Authority, Bangladesh and is served by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, the national airline, private airlines Novoair, United Airways and US-Bangla Airlines operate domestic flights to Dhaka. The vast majority of using the airport are expatriate Bangladeshis. Osmani International Airport was built during British rule of the Indian Subcontinent, the airport was formerly known as Sylhet Civil Airport but was renamed after General M A G Osmani, a Sylheti Bangladeshi Independence War hero. The airport was served by domestic flights from Shahjalal International Airport by the countrys national airline Biman Bangladesh Airlines. After many years of lobbying by expatriates living in the UK, limited expansion of the airport was carried out to enable medium-sized aircraft, such as the Airbus A310 used by Biman, to operate. The work was completed in October 2002 and the airport was designated an international airport by the government, nevertheless, on 3 November 2002, the airport received its first international arrival. Biman flight BG020 from Kuwait via Abu Dhabi landed at 10,05 with 215 passengers en route to Dhaka. The disembarking passengers on the flight were greeted by then Finance & Planning Minister, M Saifur Rahman and State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism. For a brief period, Biman also operated a service from London but was later re-routed via Dhaka. Additional expansion of the runway and improvements to the lighting and airport facilities were commenced in 2004 to enable wide-bodied aircraft to safely land. Work started in 2006 to upgrade the facilities to enable handling of international flights. The improvements include construction of a new building, two Jetways and a taxi-way. In May 2007, the foreign affairs adviser, informed journalists that the works were on scheduled for completion in June 2007 and he also confirmed that Biman will be operating Hajj flights directly from the airport during the Hajj season later in 2007. However, the expansion works had not been completed in June with the foreign affairs adviser indicating in August that minor dressing work still remained. The work was finished in December 2008. In 2010 the decision was made to construct a refueling station, construction work began in January 2012. In January 2014 the Project Director Aminul Haq stated that the project was 70% complete, on 1 April 2015, Flydubai resumed foreign airline service to Sylhet with its flight from Dubai–International
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British Airways
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British Airways, often shortened to BA, is the flag carrier and the largest airline in the United Kingdom based on fleet size. When measured by passengers carried, it is second-largest in the United Kingdom behind easyJet, the airline is based in Waterside near its main hub at London Heathrow Airport. On 31 March 1974, all four companies were merged to form British Airways, after almost 13 years as a state company, British Airways was privatised in February 1987 as part of a wider privatisation plan by the Conservative government. The carrier soon expanded with the acquisition of British Caledonian in 1987, followed by Dan-Air in 1992, British Airways is a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, along with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and the now defunct Canadian Airlines. The alliance has since grown to become the third-largest, after SkyTeam, IAG is listed on the London Stock Exchange and in the FTSE100 Index. A long-time Boeing customer, British Airways ordered 59 Airbus A320 family aircraft in August 1998, in 2007 it purchased 12 Airbus A380s and 24 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, marking the start of its long-haul fleet replacement. The centrepiece of the airlines fleet is the Boeing 777. British Airways is the largest operator of the Boeing 747-400, with 51 registered to the airline, on 1 September 1972 the management service functions of both BOAC and BEA were combined under the newly formed British Airways Group. British Airways was established as an airline on 31 March 1974 by the dissolution of BOAC, British Airways and Air France operated the supersonic airliner Aerospatiale-BAC Concorde, and the worlds first supersonic passenger service flew in January 1976 from London Heathrow to Bahrain. Services to the US began on 24 May 1976 with a flight to Washington Dulles airport, service to Singapore was established in co-operation with Singapore Airlines as a continuation of the flight to Bahrain. The final commercial Concorde flight was BA002 from New York JFK to London Heathrow on 24 October 2003, in 1981 the airline was instructed to prepare for privatisation by the Conservative Thatcher government. Sir John King, later Lord King, was appointed chairman, while many other large airlines struggled, King was credited with transforming British Airways into one of the most profitable air carriers in the world. The flag carrier was privatised and was floated on the London Stock Exchange in February 1987, British Airways effected the takeover of the UKs second airline, British Caledonian, in July of that same year. The formation of Richard Bransons Virgin Atlantic Airways in 1984 created a competitor for BA and this campaign included allegations of poaching Virgin Atlantic customers, tampering with private files belonging to Virgin and undermining Virgins reputation in the City. As a result of the case BA management apologised unreservedly, Lord King stepped down as chairman in 1993 and was replaced by his deputy, Colin Marshall, while Bob Ayling took over as CEO. Virgin filed an action in the US that same year regarding BAs domination of the trans-Atlantic routes. In 1992 British Airways expanded through the acquisition of the financially troubled Dan-Air, British Asia Airways, a subsidiary based in Taiwan, was formed in March 1993 to operate between London and Taipei. That same month BA purchased a 25% stake in the Australian airline Qantas and, with the acquisition of Brymon Airways in May, in September 1998, British Airways, along with American Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Qantas, and Canadian Airlines, formed the Oneworld airline alliance
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