The Gulf state of Qatar has confirmedits interest in taking a stake of upto 10 percent in European aerospacegroup EADS, which is suffering fromdelivery problems for the A380, Reutersreported. Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamadbin Jasim al-Thani said in Londonlast month that the idea of acquiring a10 percent stake was "still in the veryearly stages". "First of all we need to see the rightconditions at the right price," said theminister, who is also head of state … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Qatar eyes stake in EADS
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MIDDLE EAST: New cargo head for Qatar Airways
John Batten ¨C currently managingdirector global network and air cargosales for TNT ¨C is to become the latestair cargo professional to try his hand atrunning Qatar Airways Cargo. The airline has had a series of aircargo managers in recent years, someonly staying a few months. Batten insiststhat things will be different this time,though he was remaining tight-lippedabout why ahead of taking up his poston 1 April. The appointment is an unusual one,since Batten has been with TNT for … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: New cargo head for Qatar Airways
MIDDLE EAST: Qatar Airways gets Australian air rights
Qatar Airways has been awardedrights to operate a daily flight toAustralia's second largest city of Melbourne,Transport Minister Mark Vailesaid. Under the new air services arrangementwith Qatar, Qatar Airways will alsohave the right to operate a second dailyflight to another Australian city from2008 as Australia increases access rightsfor Middle East airlines. Australian airlines will also be giventhe same increased access to Qatar, animportant Middle East aviation hub,"Vaile said. "The … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Qatar Airways gets Australian air rights
MIDDLE EAST: Saudia, Gulf Air expand code-share
Saudi Arabian Airlines and Gulf Airhave agreed to further strengthen andexpand their code share alliance. Thismonth, the two companies will add newservices between Riyadh ¨C Kathmanduvia Bahrain International Airport,making the code share alliance thelargest between any two carriers in theMiddle East. The two airlines will have 41 flightsa week per direction operated togetherwith the addition of the new Riyadh¨C Bahrain - Kathmandu services. Saudia and Gulf Air are also in discussionto … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Saudia, Gulf Air expand code-share
MIDDLE EAST: Gulf Air returning B767s to service
Gulf Air has announced that five of itsBoeing 767 fleet are back in service. The remaining four aircraft, awaitingslot allocation for planned maintenancechecks, will gradually re-enterservice. The B767s were taken out of serviceby Gulf Air to conduct a thoroughcheck, following the detection of tracesof corrosion in one of them during aplanned maintenance inspection. … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Gulf Air returning B767s to service
MIDDLE EAST: Etihad freighter decision delayed
Etihad will not decide on purchasingwide-body freighters until plans forthe new cargo facilities at Abu Dhabiairport are finalised, according toSandra Taglieber, cargo spokespersonfor the airline. The carrier has been considering both the 777-200LRF and the A330freighter, but Taglieber says a decisionwill not be reached anytime soon. "Itis not a priority right now. It has to gohand in hand with the plans for the newairport, as we can only add cargo capacityif we have the facilities to … [Read more...] about MIDDLE EAST: Etihad freighter decision delayed