Sports
Emirates named World’s Best Airline
Dubai-based Emirates has received the World's Best Airline prize at the Skytrax 2013 World Airline Awards.The company is one of the fastest growing carriers on the planet and scooping this prestigious accolade will enhance its status even further.It also won the Best Middle East Airline gong for the ninth consecutive year, as well as the World's Best In-flight Entertainment award.This particular prize-giving is highly respected throughout the aviation industry, as the winners are voted for by more than 18 million business and leisure travellers from across 160 countries.Emirates has played a huge part in establishing Dubai International Airport as the second busiest on earth in terms of annual passenger numbers.The firm continues to add new services to far-flung destinations, ensuring the UAE is one of the most accessible countries in the world. Last year alone, 39 million people flew with Emirates and many of these passengers would have spent some time in Dubai.President of the organisation Tim Clark collected the awards at the recent Paris Airshow and he was delighted with the company's achievements.”These awards are widely regarded as the industry's benchmark for excellence. For us, the awards clearly reflect a vote of confidence from global travellers, who acknowledge and appreciate our continuous drive to deliver high-quality service,” he commented.”To be voted World's Best Airline by millions of discerning travellers really is something for our 60,000 strong workforce to be proud of.”Aviation experts predict that Emirates will go from strength to strength in the coming years and this is good news for Dubai's tourism sector, as 66 million air passengers are expected to land at the main airport throughout 2013. This figure is likely to rise annually for the foreseeable future.Not only is Dubai International expanding rapidly, but the city's second airport – Dubai World Central, otherwise known as Al Maktoum International Airport – is also set to launch passenger services for the first time in October 2013. Continue reading
Over a million to get Iftar meals from families
Over a million to get Iftar meals from families Olivia Olarte-Ulherr / 19 June 2013 Over a million people are expected to benefit from the Iftar meals prepared by families across the UAE during the holy month of Ramadan. Now in its fourth year, the initiative by the Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation (KBZF) aims to provide for the needy while fostering entrepreneurship among the Emirati population. Mohamed Hajji Al Khoori with representatives of the institutions sponsoring the Ramadan project at a Press conference in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. — KT photo by Nezar Balout According to Mohamed Hajji Al Khoori, director-general of the KBZF, the foundation signed a contract this year with 587 families to prepare 100 meals per day, which comprises chicken biryani and dates for the fasting Muslims and needy people living in labour housing clusters and industrial areas across the country. These include the industrial cities of Mussafah in Abu Dhabi, and Al Quoz and Al Ghurair in Dubai. About 1.76 million Iftar packages are expected to be distributed all throughout Ramadan. “This is the seventh year of our Ramadan project, but for the local ladies, we have the agreement with them for four years now,” said Al Khoori. The initiative started in 2010 in the Western Region with only 40 Emirati women. But this increased to 400 in the second year from across the country, and about 600 in 2012. This year, 256 are from the Abu Dhabi emirate — 121 in Abu Dhabi City, 84 in Al Ain and 51 in the Western Region — 82 from Dubai and 249 from the Northern Emirates. “We are constantly on the lookout for opportunities to help low-income families by sourcing out creative and sustainable projects that provide them with the necessary long-term financial support,” Al Khoori explained. As part of the agreement, each family is given Dh63,000 as the start-up capital which would be used to buy the ingredients for the Iftar meals, including rice and chicken. The rice is provided by the foundation at a minimum cost. “This is a very good way to create a job for them, to start business from their homes without expense. It is also good to teach their kids and for the whole family to start learning the business,” Al Khoori told Khaleej Times. The whole family usually contributes by helping with the packing of meals. “We request for 100 meals per day but we found out they prepare more than 100. In Ramadan, everybody is trying to help the people in need,” he pointed out. In order to make the programme successful and sustainable, the women have undergone basic training on food hygiene and safety according to catering standards. They have also received eligibility certificates by the Civil Defence to cater from their homes and regular spot checks are carried out in Ramadan during meal preparation. Established in 2007, the Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Foundation is committed to providing aid and assistance to people everywhere — locally and internationally — regardless of race, sex or religion. Last year, the foundation provided financial support in distributing Iftar meals in 58 countries worldwide including the US, France, Switzerland, Australia and countries in Asia and Africa in coordination with the UAE embassies in those countries. This year, 60 countries are expected to benefit from this generous initiative by the UAE leadership. olivia@khaleejtimes.com Continue reading
Check Sharjah Transport fines for offences online
Check Sharjah Transport fines for offences online Ahmed Shaaban (ahmedshaaban@khaleejtimes.com) / 19 June 2013 Motorists and car rental companies can now check the fines imposed on them for flouting public transport rules in the emirate online at the Sharjah Transport website. They include fines issued against motorists operating their vehicles as illegal taxis and they can be accessed at www.stc.gov.ae . Head of the Violations Section at Sharjah Transport Rashid Al Nuaimi said a link of the new service has been added on the corporation’s portal so that motorists implicated on charges of plying illegal taxis may know the exact fines imposed on them. “Also, those flouting licensure rules and transport conditions may do the same as some such violations may take some time to be listed in the unified traffic system.” Elaborating, Al Nuaimi said one may enquire about the violation online in three ways. “A motorist may enter the licence number, registration card number or traffic code of the vehicle owner.” He added that the service also helps car rental companies to check the type of fine and amount incurred against the lessor. “The online system shows both paid and unpaid fines to curb manipulation. In case of being fined, the errant motorist should approach the new headquarters of Sharjah Transport in Al Ezra area, close to Ajman, to settle their dues.” Speaking to Khaleej Times, Al Nuaimi said a significant drop has been noticed in the illegal taxis’ violations registered in the emirate this year so far. “Our inspectors have issued around 900 tickets from January to May 2013 as compared to the 1,081 tickets that were issued over the same period in 2012, 1,900 in the first half of 2011, and 1,294 during the same period in 2010.” Al Nuaimi warned that if an illegal taxi driver fails to stop when ordered by any of Sharjah Transport inspectors, a hefty fine of Dh10,000 is imposed even if it is the first time he committed the violation. “The driver will have to pay only Dh5,000 if he comes to the corporation and presents his licence.” While such illegal transport is not limited to certain nationalities, a fine of Dh1,000 is also slapped if the driver forgets or fails to present his driving licence in person at the corporation. “Most Sharjah Transport inspectors are deployed in certain areas known for such illegal loading. Topping the list are Al Rumaitha area opposite the new Sharjah Traffic department, Al Qabael Shopping Centre, National Paints roundabout, and Al Wihda road.” Al Nuaimi indicated that the violation is not only limited to private cars but also include all unlicenced buses and minibuses. “Our quality controllers check the bus permit, if available, and make sure that the names of the passengers therein are similar to those listed in the official permit issued by the corporation.” Al Nuaimi warned the public that illegal taxis pose a risk to their safety and security. “They may fall prey to abduction, robbery, physical and sexual abuse, fraud and harassment.” Seeking cooperation, he urged the public to keep in touch with Sharjah Transport Office round-the-clock at 600525252, to report such violations, and submit their comments, complaints and suggestions. Continue reading
