Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, the new joint venture between Etihad Airways and Air Arabia, secured its air operating licence, making it the UAE's fifth national airline once it begins service from the capital.
The new discount carrier, which was expected to start operations in the second quarter of 2020, is working with the UAE's civil aviation regulator to finalise its launch date once market conditions improve and skies re-open, it said in a statement on Thursday.
"While the spread of Covid-19 continues to impact the global economy including the aviation industry, we are confident that the industry shall overcome today's challenges and will emerge stronger," Adel Ali, group chief executive of Air Arabia, said. "Obtaining the AOC [air operating certificate] during this time reflects our commitment and readiness to launch Air Arabia Abu Dhabi operations as soon as skies and airports open and customers can fly again."
The announcement comes as the Covid-19 crisis brings global aviation to a near-halt. The industry is grappling with the worst crisis in its history as the pandemic wipes out air travel demand and countries shut down their borders.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi, which will operate from Abu Dhabi International Airport as its hub, will be assigned the reservation code 3L.
The two UAE airlines announced plans for the joint venture last October with the aim of tapping growing demand for low-cost travel from the capital.
Governments around the world have imposed tight travel restrictions while others suspended passenger flights in a bid to contain the spread of the deadly virus over the last few months and it is still unclear when those restrictions will lift.
Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will become the UAE's fifth airline after discount carrier Flydubai, Emirates, Etihad Airways and Sharjah-based Air Arabia.
"Despite these unprecedented times, today’s announcement is a message of positivity that reflects the strength of the UAE’s aviation industry," Tony Douglas, chief executive of the Etihad Aviation Group, said. "We are pushing ahead with our plans to resume normal flying and once we have, Air Arabia Abu Dhabi will ideally serve those who wish to explore new destinations from the capital, meeting the growing demand for low-cost travel in the region."
Middle East and African airlines stand to lose $24 billion (Dh88bn) in passenger revenue this year, risking 1.2 million jobs in aviation and related industries, according to the International Air Travel Association's latest forecast. That scenario, based on severe travel restrictions lasting for three months, is $5bn more than its previous estimates earlier this month.
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Countdown to Zero exhibition will show how disease can be beaten
Countdown to Zero: Defeating Disease, an international multimedia exhibition created by the American Museum of National History in collaboration with The Carter Center, will open in Abu Dhabi a month before Reaching the Last Mile.
Opening on October 15 and running until November 15, the free exhibition opens at The Galleria mall on Al Maryah Island, and has already been seen at the Jimmy Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta, the American Museum of Natural History in New York, and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
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- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
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Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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RESULT
Bayer Leverkusen 2 Bayern Munich 4
Leverkusen: Alario (9'), Wirtz (89')
Bayern: Coman (27'), Goretzka (42'), Gnabry (45'), Lewandowski (66')
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At a glance
Global events: Much of the UK’s economic woes were blamed on “increased global uncertainty”, which can be interpreted as the economic impact of the Ukraine war and the uncertainty over Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
Welfare: Universal credit health element cut by 50 per cent and frozen for new claimants, building on cuts to the disability and incapacity bill set out earlier this month
Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
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Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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Name: Yousef Al Bahar
Advocate at Al Bahar & Associate Advocates and Legal Consultants, established in 1994
Education: Mr Al Bahar was born in 1979 and graduated in 2008 from the Judicial Institute. He took after his father, who was one of the first Emirati lawyers
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Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
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