FILE: An Airbus SAS A380 super jumbo performs a flying display on day two of the 51st International Paris Air Show in Paris, France, on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. Airbus SE, the France-based aerospace giant, which employs 14,000 people in Britain, where it manufacturers wings, said late Thursday that if Prime Minister Theresa May fails to broker an exit deal, it would lead to “severe disruption and interruption of U.K. production.” Airbus would be forced to “reconsider its investments in the U.K., and its long-term footprint in the country” if the country tumbled out of the bloc next year without a deal, the manufacturer said. Our editors select the best archive images on Airbus SE. Photographer: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg
FILE: An Airbus SAS A380 super jumbo performs a flying display on day two of the 51st International Paris Air Show in Paris, France, on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. Airbus SE, the France-based aerospace giant, which employs 14,000 people in Britain, where it manufacturers wings, said late Thursday that if Prime Minister Theresa May fails to broker an exit deal, it would lead to “severe disruption and interruption of U.K. production.” Airbus would be forced to “reconsider its investments in the U.K., and its long-term footprint in the country” if the country tumbled out of the bloc next year without a deal, the manufacturer said. Our editors select the best archive images on Airbus SE. Photographer: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg
FILE: An Airbus SAS A380 super jumbo performs a flying display on day two of the 51st International Paris Air Show in Paris, France, on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. Airbus SE, the France-based aerospace giant, which employs 14,000 people in Britain, where it manufacturers wings, said late Thursday that if Prime Minister Theresa May fails to broker an exit deal, it would lead to “severe disruption and interruption of U.K. production.” Airbus would be forced to “reconsider its investments in the U.K., and its long-term footprint in the country” if the country tumbled out of the bloc next year without a deal, the manufacturer said. Our editors select the best archive images on Airbus SE. Photographer: Jasper Juinen/Bloomberg
FILE: An Airbus SAS A380 super jumbo performs a flying display on day two of the 51st International Paris Air Show in Paris, France, on Tuesday, June 16, 2015. Airbus SE, the France-based aerospace gi

Aviation

Airline flies empty A380s to nowhere to keep its pilots flight-ready

Ensuring crew stay certified is one of the challenges carriers face as they grapple with the pandemic

Bloomberg

July 23, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

Airlines are taking extreme measures to survive the pandemic, with Asiana Airlines flying the world’s biggest commercial plane more than 20 times, going nowhere and carrying no passengers, just to keep trainee pilots certified.

Keeping crew flight-ready is one of the challenges carriers face as they grapple with the unprecedented crisis that keeps more than a third of the world’s fleet grounded.

The empty Airbus A380 flew over South Korea for a few hours a day for three days in May to enable pilots of the 495-seat superjumbo to practice taking off and landing. The alternative – a trip to Thailand to use a simulator owned by Thai Airways International – was blocked because of travel bans, an Asiana spokesman said.

“Take-offs and landings of this plane cost a lot of money, and it’s money that needs to be used wisely, especially these days,” said Um Kyung-a, an analyst at Shinyoung Securities in Seoul. “Asiana is in a bind because it also can’t afford for its pilots to lose their licenses.”

Asiana had another 135 pilots who didn’t have enough flying time on its six A380s, but it couldn’t afford to keep flying the empty jet. In the end, the country’s transport ministry extended the pilots’ flying credentials as a special exemption. Japan’s All Nippon Airways, which operates two A380s, received a similar extension from Japan’s aviation authority.

Most of the big A380 operators, such as Asiana’s rival Korean Air Lines, have their own simulators.

An Asiana Airlines Airbus A380. The airline had another 135 pilots who didn’t have enough flying time on its six A380s, but it couldn’t afford to keep flying the empty jets. AFP
An Asiana Airlines Airbus A380. The airline had another 135 pilots who didn’t have enough flying time on its six A380s, but it couldn’t afford to keep flying the empty jets. AFP

The International Civil Aviation Organisation has provided guidelines to state members on how to help pilots keep up their skills. Normally, pilots must have taken off and landed an aircraft at least three times within the previous 90 days to keep their licence.

The problem is acute for the biggest jets, which were designed for an age of mass travel. But Boeing’s 747 has more simulators and is used by many airlines, including Korean Air, for cargo flights, allowing carriers to rotate crews to keep them certified.

______________

Emirates A380 through the years

Airbus will stop production of its A380 superjet by 2021 Reuters
Airbus will stop production of its A380 superjet by 2021 Reuters
People look at a Emirates A380 airbus landing in Nice, south of France. AFP
People look at a Emirates A380 airbus landing in Nice, south of France. AFP
Sheikh Mohammed takes a tour of an Emirates A380 during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Airshow in 2013. AFP
Sheikh Mohammed takes a tour of an Emirates A380 during the opening ceremony of the Dubai Airshow in 2013. AFP
A visitor poses for a photo in front of an Emirates A380 Airbus passenger aircraft decorated with a giant portrait of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan. AFP
A visitor poses for a photo in front of an Emirates A380 Airbus passenger aircraft decorated with a giant portrait of UAE founding father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan. AFP
Airbus and Emirates celebrate the 100th A380 in 2018. Courtesy Emirates
Airbus and Emirates celebrate the 100th A380 in 2018. Courtesy Emirates
The A380 is the World biggest passenger jet . AP
The A380 is the World biggest passenger jet . AP
Emirates will receive 14 more A380s from Airbus before the plane maker ends production. Courtesy Emirates
Emirates will receive 14 more A380s from Airbus before the plane maker ends production. Courtesy Emirates
Airbus said Thursday it will stop making A380 superjumbo jets in 2021 after struggling to win clients. AP Photo
Airbus said Thursday it will stop making A380 superjumbo jets in 2021 after struggling to win clients. AP Photo
Interior of Business Class on an Emirates A380. Courtesy: Emirates
Interior of Business Class on an Emirates A380. Courtesy: Emirates
Interior of Business Class on Emirates A380. Courtsey: Emirates
Interior of Business Class on Emirates A380. Courtsey: Emirates
An air stewardess arranges bedsheets of a double bed in a suite of Singapore Airlines' new Airbus A380 during a tour of the plane at Changi Airport in Singapore. AFP
An air stewardess arranges bedsheets of a double bed in a suite of Singapore Airlines' new Airbus A380 during a tour of the plane at Changi Airport in Singapore. AFP
An Airbus A380, the largest passenger jet in the world, in Dubai. The airline topped a list of attractive employers in a recent survey of Gen Y and Gen Z. EPA
An Airbus A380, the largest passenger jet in the world, in Dubai. The airline topped a list of attractive employers in a recent survey of Gen Y and Gen Z. EPA
The special Emirates A380 will be in service with the Real Madrid decal for six months. Courtesy Emirates
The special Emirates A380 will be in service with the Real Madrid decal for six months. Courtesy Emirates
United for Wildlife Emirates A380 before its first flight to London. Courtesy Emirates Airline
United for Wildlife Emirates A380 before its first flight to London. Courtesy Emirates Airline
An Etihad Airways A380 at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Christopher Pike / The National
An Etihad Airways A380 at the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Christopher Pike / The National
A Singapore Airlines Airbus in the snow at JFK, 2018. Reuters
A Singapore Airlines Airbus in the snow at JFK, 2018. Reuters
Etihad Airways economy on an A380. Courtesy Etihad
Etihad Airways economy on an A380. Courtesy Etihad
The Lobby of an Etihad Airways A380. AFP
The Lobby of an Etihad Airways A380. AFP
Aermacchi MB-339 jets from UAE's Al-Fursan display team perform with an Airbus A380 from Etihad Airways before the start of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. AFP
Aermacchi MB-339 jets from UAE's Al-Fursan display team perform with an Airbus A380 from Etihad Airways before the start of the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina circuit. AFP
An Emirates Airbus A380 plane in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo
An Emirates Airbus A380 plane in Beirut, Lebanon. AP Photo
An Emirates Airline A-380 leads UAE's "Al Fursan" aerobatic display team, during the opening day of the Dubai Air Show. AP Photo
An Emirates Airline A-380 leads UAE's "Al Fursan" aerobatic display team, during the opening day of the Dubai Air Show. AP Photo
The tail of the Airbus A-380 at the 46th Paris Air Show. Getty Images
The tail of the Airbus A-380 at the 46th Paris Air Show. Getty Images
An Emirates Airbus A380 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France. REUTERS
An Emirates Airbus A380 plane is seen at Nice International airport in Nice, France. REUTERS
An Airbus SAS A380 super jumbo performs a flying display on day two of the 51st International Paris Air Show in Paris, France. Bloomberg
An Airbus SAS A380 super jumbo performs a flying display on day two of the 51st International Paris Air Show in Paris, France. Bloomberg
Line Emirates is one of the airlines included in the TSA's emergency order. Courtesy Emirates
Line Emirates is one of the airlines included in the TSA's emergency order. Courtesy Emirates
Tthe A380 has been Airbus’s flagship project for the past two decades. Bloomberg
Tthe A380 has been Airbus’s flagship project for the past two decades. Bloomberg
A British Airways A380. Courtesy British Airways
A British Airways A380. Courtesy British Airways
A Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 at Beijing airport. AFP
A Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 at Beijing airport. AFP
New wheels on the Emirates A380. Courtesy Emirates
New wheels on the Emirates A380. Courtesy Emirates
At Dubai's Miracle Garden, more than five million flowers were grown to produce a full-size Emirates Airbus A380. Courtesy Guinness World Records
At Dubai's Miracle Garden, more than five million flowers were grown to produce a full-size Emirates Airbus A380. Courtesy Guinness World Records

______________

The International Air Transport Association said international air traffic may not return to pre-Covid levels until 2024.

One of the few that’s still flying the A380 is Emirates Airlines, which has the world’s biggest fleet of the superjumbos. The airline restarted A380 flights on July 15 to London Heathrow and Paris as Dubai eased travel restrictions.

Deutsche Lufthansa said last month its A380 jets will be mothballed for at least two years and may never return to service. Even before the virus, weak demand for the giant plane caused Airbus to announce it would stop making the A380 next year.

“It’s like you’re basically stuck with a 1990 car that’s running on diesel,” said Shukor Yusof, founder of aviation consulting firm Endau Analytics in Malaysia. “We’re going to see more heading to the scrapyard.”

Indoor cricket in a nutshell

Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sep 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

16 Indoor cricket matches are 16 overs per side

8 There are eight players per team

9 There have been nine Indoor Cricket World Cups for men. Australia have won every one.

5 Five runs are deducted from the score when a wickets falls

4 Batsmen bat in pairs, facing four overs per partnership

Scoring In indoor cricket, runs are scored by way of both physical and bonus runs. Physical runs are scored by both batsmen completing a run from one crease to the other. Bonus runs are scored when the ball hits a net in different zones, but only when at least one physical run is score.

Zones

A Front net, behind the striker and wicketkeeper: 0 runs

B Side nets, between the striker and halfway down the pitch: 1 run

C Side nets between halfway and the bowlers end: 2 runs

D Back net: 4 runs on the bounce, 6 runs on the full

The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

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The biog

Name: Sarah Al Senaani

Age: 35

Martial status: Married with three children - aged 8, 6 and 2

Education: Masters of arts in cultural communication and tourism

Favourite movie: Captain Corelli’s Mandolin

Favourite hobbies: Art and horseback ridding

Occupation: Communication specialist at a government agency and the owner of Atelier

Favourite cuisine: Definitely Emirati - harees is my favourite dish

COMPANY%20PROFILE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EQureos%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EUAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2021%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E33%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESoftware%20and%20technology%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%243%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
German plea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told the German parliament that. Russia had erected a new wall across Europe. 

"It's not a Berlin Wall -- it is a Wall in central Europe between freedom and bondage and this Wall is growing bigger with every bomb" dropped on Ukraine, Zelenskyy told MPs.

Mr Zelenskyy was applauded by MPs in the Bundestag as he addressed Chancellor Olaf Scholz directly.

"Dear Mr Scholz, tear down this Wall," he said, evoking US President Ronald Reagan's 1987 appeal to Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate.

SPECS
%3Cp%3EEngine%3A%20Supercharged%203.5-litre%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3EPower%3A%20400hp%0D%3Cbr%3ETorque%3A%20430Nm%0D%3Cbr%3EOn%20sale%3A%20Now%0D%3Cbr%3EPrice%3A%20From%20Dh450%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Ruwais timeline

1971 Abu Dhabi National Oil Company established

1980 Ruwais Housing Complex built, located 10 kilometres away from industrial plants

1982 120,000 bpd capacity Ruwais refinery complex officially inaugurated by the founder of the UAE Sheikh Zayed

1984 Second phase of Ruwais Housing Complex built. Today the 7,000-unit complex houses some 24,000 people.  

1985 The refinery is expanded with the commissioning of a 27,000 b/d hydro cracker complex

2009 Plans announced to build $1.2 billion fertilizer plant in Ruwais, producing urea

2010 Adnoc awards $10bn contracts for expansion of Ruwais refinery, to double capacity from 415,000 bpd

2014 Ruwais 261-outlet shopping mall opens

2014 Production starts at newly expanded Ruwais refinery, providing jet fuel and diesel and allowing the UAE to be self-sufficient for petrol supplies

2014 Etihad Rail begins transportation of sulphur from Shah and Habshan to Ruwais for export

2017 Aldar Academies to operate Adnoc’s schools including in Ruwais from September. Eight schools operate in total within the housing complex.

2018 Adnoc announces plans to invest $3.1 billion on upgrading its Ruwais refinery 

2018 NMC Healthcare selected to manage operations of Ruwais Hospital

2018 Adnoc announces new downstream strategy at event in Abu Dhabi on May 13

Source: The National

Ferrari 12Cilindri specs

Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12

Power: 819hp

Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm

Price: From Dh1,700,000

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Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

On Women's Day
The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

Hotel Data Cloud profile

Date started: June 2016
Founders: Gregor Amon and Kevin Czok
Based: Dubai
Sector: Travel Tech
Size: 10 employees
Funding: $350,000 (Dh1.3 million)
Investors: five angel investors (undisclosed except for Amar Shubar)

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

EPL's youngest
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SPECS
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