Airlines & airports EU security airport rules IN AN ATTEMPT to protect passengers against the threat of liquid explosives, the European Union has adopted new security rules that restrict the amount of liquids that passengers can take on board through security checkpoints. Passengers are only allowed to take small quantities of liquids in their hand luggage. These liquids must be in individual containers with a maximum capacity of 100 millilitres each. Passengers must pack these containers in one transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of not more than one litre capacity per passenger. Liquids include water, soups, syrups, creams, lotions, perfumes, sprays, gels, shaving foam, other foams and deodorants, pastes including toothpaste, mascara and any other item of similar consistency. The new rules apply to all passengers departing from airports in the EU, whatever their destination. However, you can still pack liquids in bags that you check in; the new rules only affect hand luggage. You can also still carry your medicine and dietary requirements in your hand luggage, including baby foods for use during the trip. Departure fees increased STARTING January departure fees for foreigners and Egyptians are $15 per foreign traveller and $4 per Egyptian. Airport officials say the increase is the result of financial commitments by the Ministry of Aviation especially with the World Bank to build a third tower in Cairo Airport, and the development of airports in other cities. Officials added that the increase came following comparative studies with neighbouring regional airports which impose departure fees such as Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Cyprus and Saudi Arabia. Egypt's fees are the lowest of these countries. Emirates revenues EMIRATES Airline has announced its net profit for the first six months of the current financial year 2006-2007 at Dhs 1.2 billion ($323 million), up 29 per cent compared to Dhs 922 million ($251 million) recorded in the same period last year. The results reflect a strong revenue performance driven by robust passenger and cargo demand, and better yields, which softened the impact of high fuel prices on operating costs. Emirates' operating revenue of Dhs 13.5 billion ($3.67 billion) for the half-year represented a strong growth of 30 per cent compared to revenue of Dhs 10.4 billion ($2.84 billion) during the same period last year. Passenger revenue recorded 31 per cent growth, with passengers increasing by 1.41 million or 20 per cent to 8.39 million, compared to 6.98 million for the first half-year of 2005- 2006. "Emirates has been in a strong position to tap into the robust demand for air travel globally by expanding its route network with new high-capacity aircraft, and investing in passenger services such as dedicated airport lounges across Europe, the Far East and Australia. In the coming months, we intend to continue with our growth plans while keeping a close watch on costs," Emirates' Chairman and Chief Executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum said. Since January 2006 Emirates has launched services to 10 new cities -- Abidjan, Addis Ababa, Bangalore, Beijing, Hamburg, Lilongwe (cargo-only), Nagoya, Thiruvananthapuram and Tunis -- bringing the network total to 87 cities including four cargo-only destinations. In addition, it increased the frequency of passenger services and also added capacity with larger aircraft to many of the existing destinations, including a second daily service to Zurich and a third daily to New York via Hamburg. Fifty years in the Middle East FOR FIFTY years, the German carrier Lufthansa has been connecting the Arab world with Europe and beyond. The airline has flown to nearly all Arab countries in North Africa, the Levant and the Gulf. September 1958 saw the so-called Orient flight. Only one year after the new Lufthansa started its operations, Istanbul, Beirut and Tehran became the first destinations in the Near/ Middle East. Other destinations in the Middle East followed quickly. In 1958, Lufthansa started operations to Cairo. The oil-destinations Dammam and Kuwait followed. In 2006, Lufthansa goes to 19 destinations in 15 Arab countries from Morocco to Oman and Lebanon to Yemen. Except Syria and Iraq, every country on the Arab Peninsula is connected to the world by Lufthansa's and StarAlliance network. In 1956 business started from scratch, with few passengers boarding small airplanes. There was little demand tickets were written manually and seats distributed on wooden boards. Fifty years later the airline has successfully managed to position itself as an innovation leader in the industry and a loyal and committed flight operation provider to its Arab market, serving nearly all destinations non-stop and in comfort. New state of the art aircraft started with the Lockheed Super Constellation of the 1950s, the Boeing 747 Jumbo jet in the 1970s, and the latest Airbus A330/340 generation. All have been introduced to the Arab market. Electronic ticketing, the frequent-flyer programme "Miles and more" and "Arab welcome service", Lufthansa sets the pace for new technology and services. The First Class terminal in Frankfurt, the only all-Business class jet transatlantic operation, and the combination of long haul-flights with Lufthansa private jets, are other examples. Hotels & resorts Incentives in Sharm El-Sheikh IN A PROACTIVE approach to the growing conference and incentive tourism in Sharm El-Sheikh, the Grand Rotana Resort & Spa boasts some of the most hi- tech modern facilities combined with the resort's exclusive services, making it the perfect place to host meetings providing both business acumen with rest and relaxation. The resort offers innovative solutions for delegates that take full advantage of the destination and the resort. It features indoor and outdoor conference space and seafront outdoor function space, which makes it a favourite with discerning MICE organisers. With 480 luxurious room and suites, a 450m private beach, a lagoon styled pool, in the midst of a lush green landscape, a state-of-the-art Bodylines Fitness Centre & Spa, in addition to seven Food and Beverage outlets. The Cleopatra ballroom can take 500 guests with an outdoor terrace overlooking the swimming pool with views across the Red Sea as well as the interconnecting Nefertiti, Sethi and Tutankhamon conference rooms that can be utilised as separate rooms for smaller groups. The resort also boasts magnificent recreational facilities and can organise creative team challenges and outdoor adventures. There are facilities for outdoor conferencing and an award winning banqueting service for gala dinners, cocktail parties and wedding receptions. "Grand Rotana Resort & Spa is a suited resort to cater to the MICE segment. We are approaching this segment with a diverse product range, catering to all the requirements of meetings and conferences. As incentives are relatively new, our initiative in that regard aims at exploring opportunities following several encouraging indicators and the steady growth of the MICE segment in the region", says Karim El-Ghazzawi, Grand Rotana Resort & Spa general manager. Cairo culinary club CAIRO Marriott Palace recently hosted the "Club Chefs des Chefs". one of the most exclusive culinary clubs in the world, with only 40 members worldwide. Club members were impressed with the quality of food and services provided by the Palace team, plus the Palace antiquities and the royal atmosphere surrounding the event. Tourism conference THE ARAB Institution of Marine Environment has selected the newly renovated Tabia Ballroom of Sheraton Montazah Hotel in Alexandria to hold an international conference on Arab tourism and its effect on local economies. The three-day conference will cover sustainable development, the monitoring of the coastal Mediterranean area, diversity of tourism and its impact on the Arab World, tourism development, and development and their impact on national economies. X-mas in Sharm El-Sheikh IF YOU want to spend Christmas and New Year's Eve in style, Four Seasons Resort Sharm El-Sheikh is the place. The resort has prepared a fantastic festive programme for the occasion. On arrival at the luxury resort, guests will be welcomed with a traditional apple cider and Christmas cookies. On Christmas Eve everyone will receive Christmas stockings full of Christmas treats. In the evening, Chef Rolf Schmitz will ensure an unforgettable culinary experience with the choice of either a special five-course dinner at Il Frantoio or a sumptuous festive buffet at Arabesque. New Year's Eve will be a night of celebration dining. At Il Frantoio, an exquisite six-course dinner will be served and a spectacular gala dinner will be served in the Tiran Ballroom. For more information log on to www.fourseasons.com. Best on the Nile THE NEW Mövenpick M/S Royal Lotus has been awarded "the Best Nile Cruise Ship" by the Ministry of Tourism. The award was based on a number of criteria including safety and comfort on board, design, outstanding gastronomy, and first class service combined with Swiss hospitality. The management and staff celebrated the occasion by holding a party attended by all employees headed by Nile Ghanem, the boat manager. The Mövenpick M/S Royal Lotus has four decks, 62 spacious cabins located on upper decks besides two royal suites. The main restaurant serves a variety of Mövenpick buffets and menus with Egyptian and international specialties. The sun deck includes a swimming pool, whirlpool, pool bar and a canopied area. Jaz second time JAZ Hotels & Resorts opens its second property in Egypt, JAZ Makadi Star, an exotic natural heaven in Makadi Bay, around 30km south of Hurghada. JAZ Makadi Star features 167 private guest rooms, seven gourmet eateries and cocktail bars, a wonderland of Red Sea exploration and adventures and a Far Eastern Serena Spa for ultimate rejuvenation. "From Sharm El-Sheikh to Hurghada, JAZ Hotels is going global as the influential and innovative lifestyle authority," said Alaa Akel, regional manager of Madinat Makadi and Madinat Coraya Regions. In JAZ Makadi Star, guests can fulfil their palate desires with eight gourmet restaurants and bars. With an outdoor restaurant offering a serene, romantic and casual mood for beachfront dining, guests can watch the sun go down with a cocktail before heading to freshly caught seafood prepared with an Asian flair. The pool bar offers guests the opportunity to swim up to the bar and order from a menu of creatively delicious concoctions. For adventurous guests wishing to dive deep into the crystal clear waters or explore the reefs, the hotel's water sports centre is the ultimate water sports facility fully equipped with state- of-the-art equipment including Nitrox compressors, top- quality Scubapro diving gear, underwater scooters, and high- end underwater photo and video equipment. Guests can explore the endless crystal clear waters with activities such as water skiing, windsurfing, snorkeling and sailing. The Water Sports Centre offers a variety of dive courses and access to the Red Sea's breathtaking reefs. JAZ Hotels & Resorts is a global lifestyle brand. JAZ's first property, JAZ Mirabel Resort in Sharm El-Sheikh, opened in October 2006. JAZ has announced plans for hotels in Marsa Matruh and other destinations. For more information, visit www.jazresorts.com Maharaja restaurant opens RAMSES Hilton Hotel recently witnessed the grand opening of the Maharaja Indian Signature Restaurant. The ambassador of India, A Gopinathan, presided over the opening ceremony. Invitees were received by Tarek Moharam, general manger of the Arab International Company for Hotels and Tourism, Simon Hasdell, vice-president of Hilton International, and Mounir Sami, general manager of the Ramses Hilton. Guests enjoyed authentic Indian delicacies, the contemporary décor and friendly service.
