November 14, 2023News

Emirates To Invest Big Into New Engineering Facility

Dubai-based carrier Emirates has announced an investment of USD 950 million into building a new engineering facility located at Dubai World Central (DWC). The engineering complex will cover a 1 million sq.m real estate and, as per the airline, “will be the largest and most advanced of its kind”. While the primary purpose of this upcoming facility will be to support Emirates’ operations into the 2040s, its services will also be open to other airlines.

The kind of services that the new engineering hub will offer include routine aircraft checks, bespoke paint jobs, light to heavy maintenance programmes, engine repair and testing, full cabin interior fit-outs and aircraft conversions. A phase-wise build-and-deliver approach makes the most sense for such a massive project. So, post the completion of phase one, the engineering complex will have eight maintenance hangers and one paint hanger (supporting all commercial aircraft up to an Airbus A380), an engine run-up facility, about 20 support workshops, storage facilities and administration offices.

Also Read: Dubai Airshow 2023: Emirates Orders 95 Boeing Jets

Emirates confirms that its existing engineering centre at Dubai International Airport (DXB) will continue to support the airline operations as is, while the upcoming facility at DWC will initially handle spillover work and heavy maintenance jobs, which require longer aircraft ground time.

Rachit Shad Trehan

Warning! Can talk cars for hours.

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September 16, 2024

Air India Is Now Flying To Kuala Lumpur From Delhi

Further strengthening its network in Southeast Asia, Air India has begun direct services to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from Delhi. The first outbound flight took off from the Indira Gandhi International Airport on September 15, 2024, and the return leg completed its journey earlier today.

Air India’s service between Delhi and Kuala Lumpur is a daily affair. Flight AI384 will depart from Delhi and arrive in Malaysia’s capital at 13:00 and 21:00, respectively. Those travelling the other way will board flight AI385, which will take off from Kuala Lumpur at 08:30 and land in Delhi at 11:25. An Airbus A320neo will ferry passengers on both sectors.

Kuala Lumpur is Air India’s sixth destination in Southeast Asia. The airline already has active services from India to Singapore, Bangkok, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon.

Also Read: Air India Confirms More Flights To Kolkata From Four Cities

September 16, 2024

Brussels Airlines Plans To Focus More On Traffic From Africa

The Belgian national airline, Brussels Airlines, has announced its plans to expand its long-haul fleet, invest in cabin refurbishment, and utilise the services of another carrier based on the recently extended wet lease agreement with Lufthansa Group.

Brussels Airlines claims to be the “Africa expert” within the Lufthansa Group. To further strengthen that position, the carrier will induct three Airbus A330 aircraft, bringing its widebody fleet to 13. This move will help the airline focus primarily on the increasing traffic from the sub-Saharan Africa network. The idea is to make Brussels a European hub for flights to and from Africa.

Of course, with the new aeroplanes coming in, more manpower will be required. Hence, Brussels Airlines will hire over 250 new employees, including pilots, cabin crew, maintenance & engineering experts, and airport and office personnel. This also paves the way for present airline staff to move to a different or higher role.

In addition to inducting new aircraft, the Belgian carrier plans to gradually introduce all-new cabin interiors. While specific details are still under wraps, a complete overhaul of all three classes – Business, Premium Economy and Economy – is part of the plan. The airline says this project will attract an investment of more than 100 million euros.

Lastly, Brussels Airlines will operate four Airbus A220-300 aircraft with Latvian carrier airBaltic between March and October 2025. Each aircraft has 148 seats, and they will be deployed on routes with lower demand.