Middle East airlines managed double-digit growth in passenger demand last month, despite a 3.1 per cent global decline, according to data from the International Air Traffic Association (IATA).
The Middle East saw an 11.2 per cent rise in passenger demand compared with the same month last year, and airline capacity in the region increased by 12.3 per cent.
Latin America was the only other region to experience growth in passenger demand, with a rise of 7.5 per cent outstripping a capacity rise of 6 per cent, the IATA said.
European carriers saw a 2.7 per cent decrease in passenger numbers and a 2.6 per cent decline in capacity adjustment, while the Asia Pacific had an 8.6 per cent fall in demand and a capacity adjustment of minus 7.4 per cent.
Africa's carriers experienced a 7.1 per cent fall in demand and a 5 per cent capacity cut.
In March, the IATA dramatically lowered its forecast for Middle-Eastern airlines and predicted they could lose US$900 million (Dh3.3 billion) this year, partly because of growing capacity and fuel contracts based on high oil prices. The expected loss was more than four times IATA's forecast three months ago of $200m.
rbundhun@thenational.ae
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
The rules on fostering in the UAE
A foster couple or family must:
- be Muslim, Emirati and be residing in the UAE
- not be younger than 25 years old
- not have been convicted of offences or crimes involving moral turpitude
- be free of infectious diseases or psychological and mental disorders
- have the ability to support its members and the foster child financially
- undertake to treat and raise the child in a proper manner and take care of his or her health and well-being
- A single, divorced or widowed Muslim Emirati female, residing in the UAE may apply to foster a child if she is at least 30 years old and able to support the child financially