Author: Jochebed Menon

Al Fahim Group in collaboration with Emirates Global Motor Electric and Yinlong Energy, have announced the launch of environment-friendly Lithium Titanate Oxide (LTO) electric buses in the Middle East. LTO electric buses can be charged in under 20 minutes as compared to a few hours for other lithium-ion electric buses. Launching first in Abu Dhabi, the electric buses will be powered by the fastest charging lithium battery in the world – the LTO battery which can be charged in less than 20 minutes. The bus with T3 rated air-conditioner which can perform at temperatures more than 50°C, was successfully tested…

dnata has added four high-tech ‘cool dollies’ to its Australian cargo fleet, becoming the first air services provider to offer a fully integrated, temperature-controlled cool chain for pharma and perishable shipments in this market. Offering a closed, temperature-controlled system, the specialised containers will ensure safe and seamless delivery of temperature-sensitive goods, including pharmaceuticals and vaccines, between aircraft and dnata’s state-of-the-art cargo facilities. dnata will operate two cool dollies each at Sydney Airport (SYD) and Melbourne Airport (MEL), providing maximum safety to airline partners and their customers at every stage of the handling process. Dirk Goovaerts, dnata’s Regional CEO for Asia…

Work has commenced on the Elan neighbourhood at Tilal Al Ghaf, the lifestyle neighbourhood by Majid Al Futtaim Communities. United Engineering Construction Company (UNEC) has been awarded the main contract along with Arif & Bintoak Consulting Architects and Engineers. The contract award for Phases 1, 2 and 3 of Elan comprises a total of 916 premium three- and four-bedroom townhouses with a total contract value of almost Dhs583 million. The first homes in Elan will be delivered in phases starting December 2022. Hawazen Esber, Chief Executive Officer of Majid Al Futtaim Communities commented: “Today, we celebrate a pivotal moment for…

epbox.ae by Emirates Post is a new digital platform allowing subscribers to view and manage their shipments and digital communication online. The new service gives customers access to several features: a dedicated epbox.ae ID number; setting preferences for delivery; notification; shipment analytics; and sending digitally registered letters. The biggest benefit for every subscriber is that Emirates Post will deliver every shipment according to their preferences and with full track and track visibility. The service is free for existing PO Box owners, who will link their virtual epbox.ae to their existing physical PO box registration and have access to managing their…

Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), the Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise, has had a record-breaking performance in 2020, despite the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the free zone, 2,025 new companies joined DMCC in 2020, the highest number of registrations in five years. Retention rate remained at an all-time high. This was primarily due to the business support package launched in March 2020 that saw interest from companies in 149 countries. This was the business hub’s largest ever commercial offer, offering a wide range of incentives and value-added services to both existing and new companies in the…

Dubai-based eCommerce firm Namshi.com has been introduced to the Qatar market. With this milestone, Namshi will be the first eCommerce player to launch in the country following the historic regional agreement to normalise relations among the GCC countries. Namshi is already accepting pre-orders from Qatari customers via both the website and app. Additionally, Namshi will offer rapid delivery to Qatar, just like it does to other GCC countries – Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the shift towards a more digital world and triggered changes in online shopping behaviors that are likely to have…

Leading air charter broker Delta World Charter (DWC) has signed an exclusive agreement with Fly2Sky Airlines to be the General Sales Agent (GSA) for its Airbus A320 fleet. Delta World Charter (DWC) will be managing two A320 aircraft. Dmitriy Korshunov, CEO of Delta World Charter said: “We are thrilled to lease our first Airbus A320 aircraft, especially in current challenging times. With this strategic partnership with Fly2Sky, DWC is now ready to operate aircraft, crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI) projects, repatriation flights, as well as flights for tour operators, crew change and other groups that require up to 180-seat capacity.…

The Saudi Logistics Company (SAL) has signed a memorandum of cooperation with King Abdullah Economic City to provide further support to both the logistics sector in the Kingdom and King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). The signed memorandum by Omar Hariri, CEO of SAL, and Ahmed Linjawi, CEO of KAEC, focuses on enhancing logistics services and contributes to creating promising logistic and economic opportunities in conjunction with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious 2030 vision to transform the Kingdom into a global logistic hub. Commenting on the event, Omar Hariri emphasised on the importance of this strategic partnership and its role to enhance the…

Despite shrinking to its lowest point of under 400 aircraft during the pandemic, the in-service fleet size in the Middle East is forecast to reach more than 2,300 by 2031, according to Oliver Wyman’s latest fleet and MRO forecast. Titled, ‘Global Fleet & Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) Forecast 2021-2031’, the report highlights that the regional aviation fleet will be smaller than once projected because of the impact of COVID-19, and a decade of smaller fleets will mean constrained growth and consolidation. Commenting on the insights, Michael Wette, Transportation and Services Partner at Oliver Wyman, said: “The Middle East sits…

Independent spend management company Jaggaer has highlighted the need for supply chain risk mitigation procedures within businesses following the difficulties surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine distribution experienced in Europe and America. Countries worldwide, including many in Europe, have been put under considerable strain as demand for the vaccine has considerably outpaced supply. According to data tracked by Bloomberg, some 4.25 million doses are being given daily, with Israel, the UAE, Seychelles, and the UK leading the way in terms of doses per 100 people. Thomas Dieringer, President for Europe Middle East and Africa, Jaggaer said: “With any supply chain, it is…