Route watch BMI, Heathrow-Cairo HEATHROW'S second largest airline, BMI, will launch a new daily non-stop service from Cairo to London Heathrow beginning 4 November 2007. In line with the company's commitment to provide the best possible service, BMI has entered a code share agreement with EgyptAir. Under the terms of the agreement, passengers flying EgyptAir will soon be able to accumulate frequent-flyer points when flying with BMI and vice versa. Departs Cairo 16:40, arrives Heathrow 19:50 (daily) Departs Heathrow 09:05, arrives Cairo 15:50 (daily) Express, Alexandria-Hurghada THE NEWLY established EgyptAir Express will launch a new route between Alexandria and Hurghada with its Embrair fleet. The new route will start operation on 13 October with three weekly flights on Saturday, Sunday and Monday. Eid offers Egyptian package EGYPTAIR'S Karnak Tours launched three attractive promotions to attract both incoming and tourism abroad for Eid holiday. "We created two promotions for Egyptians and other Arabs, one to spend a quick holiday in Istanbul for three nights," said Samir Imbabi, Karnak Tours chairman. "A longer holiday is given for a week's stay in the Far East, such as Bangkok and Beijing." Packages for incoming tourists include three nights in Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada. Imbabi said the offer includes accommodation at hotels of various star levels, airport transports and flight tickets. All taxes are included. Low cost deal AIR Arabia Holidays has some exciting holiday promotions with mini-breaks from the UAE to regions in the Middle East, North Africa and the sub-continent. The airline created new offers for the Eid holiday with over 15 destinations offering quoted package prices, including return flights with Air Arabia from a Sharjah three night-stay on sharing accommodation, (Muscat two nights stay and Istanbul four nights), airport transfers, daily breakfast and all hotel taxes and surcharges. Competitive packages with four and five-star hotels are available and a wide range of excursion options can also be pre booked. Airport facilities Five new Saudi airports THE SAUDI Civil Aviation Authority will build five new airports in the Kingdom. The plan includes investing SR20 billion on new airports across the country. Saudi Arabia has 27 airports including three internationals in Riyadh, Jeddah and Dammam. $7 billion on Abu Dhabi airport facilities The UAE government is investing Dh25.71 billion ($7 billion) on Abu Dhabi airport facilities that will increase growth for the next 50 years and help diversify the country's economy from the energy sector. Traffic figures Arab world traffic up 14.5 per cent AIR passenger traffic in the Arab world rose by 14.5 per cent in August compared to August 2006, according to the Arab Air Carriers Organisation (AACO). This follows growth of 10.5 per cent in July compared to July 2006. In August, passenger traffic inside the Arab world increased by 8.7 per cent compared to August the previous year. Passenger traffic between the Arab world and other world regions increased by 17.8 per cent in August compared to August 2006. Arab airlines also increased the number of seats offered from and to the Arab world by nine per cent while other airlines decreased their seat capacity to this region by 0.5 per cent. Events No-frill airlines LEADERS of no-frill airlines in the Middle East will gather in Dubai next month to discuss the present and future challenges of the industry. To be held from 11-12 November, the annual Low Cost Airline Conference will look at the commercial, technical and operational aspects and will provide a fresher business perspective on what the future holds for them. The two-day aviation event will be attended by senior executives, top officials and decision-makers from the ministries of transport, civil aviation and international air transport organisations. AeroExpo Morocco postponed MOROCCO'S first air show and exhibition, scheduled for 24-27 October, has been postponed for three months. Moroccan Civil Aviation officials said they needed more time to better organise and prepare. The event has been rescheduled for 23-26 January 2008. Concorde parts gone HUNDREDS of components of the Concorde supersonic jetliner, from headsets to toilet seats, generated intense bidding in a French auction which relived the era of luxury travel at twice the speed of sound. Most of the 60 pieces sold on the auction's first day attracted around five times the asking price. The auction ended on Monday in the French aviation capital of Toulouse where the sleek, droop-nosed aircraft was assembled in cooperation with Britain. Items sold to raise money for a museum included a pilot's headset and a pair of toilet seats weighing 5.8 kilos (12.79 lb). A laminated cockpit window panel went for 3,100 euros, 10 times the asking price, at the start of the auction.
