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Emirates’ A380 network expansion gains momentum as travel demand continues to rise

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In line with the continued easing of travel restrictions around the globe, Emirates has announced that its flagship A380 aircraft will soon be deployed to an expanded list of destinations starting in October and November. By the end of November, the number of cities that the aircraft will serve will be scaled up to 27, representing a more than 65% increase from its current 16.

The Emirates A380 remains highly sought-after by travelers for its spacious and comfortable cabins featuring modern amenities to make the journey a memorable experience. The airline is gradually and responsibly deploying its popular aircraft in sync with passenger demand as the travel industry continues on its path to recovery. With the addition of 11 routes to the A380 network by November, as well as extra frequencies on the most popular ones already being served by the aircraft, Emirates is poised to offer close to 165,000 additional A380 seats to customers.

Fans of the popular double-decker aircraft will soon see more in the skies as an increasing number of A380s are returned to service, taking flight to operate routes where it is commercially viable to deploy them. Over the next six weeks Emirates will re-instate its signature A380 services to popular leisure and business destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Johannesburg, Madrid, Milan, Riyadh (subject to government approvals), Sao Paulo and Zurich.

Emirates will also introduce a new route to its A380 network that was previously not served by the world’s largest commercial aircraft. The flagship aircraft’s services to Istanbul are scheduled to launch on 1 October, set to become the first-ever A380 operation in Turkey.

As the world’s largest operator of the A380 aircraft, the airline’s total fleet of A380s will reach 118 by year-end, including six aircraft equipped with Premium Economy seats in a 4-class configuration. The airline currently flies to over 120 cities, representing 90% of its pre-pandemic network, and plans to restore 70% of its capacity by the end of the year are on track with the return to service of more than 50 A380 aircraft.

In addition to signifying the airline’s continued commitment to and confidence in the A380, Emirates is scaling up of operations across its global network to meet the surge in customer demand to Dubai as well as other destinations that allow quarantine-free entry for specific nationalities and vaccination status. Dubai safely welcomed over 4 million overnight leisure and business visitors since it reopened in July 2020 and with Expo 2020 Dubai just ten days away, the city is preparing to welcome visitors for the world’s largest gathering and highly-anticipated event which will include a rich line-up of themed weeks, entertainment, workshops, live shows as well as country pavilions and special installations to get a glimpse of the future.

The Emirates A380 experience has remained a long-time favourite amongst travel enthusiasts, loved for its extra legroom and comfort and the industry’s largest screens for customers across all cabins to enjoy the airline’s extensive selection of content on its award-winning in-flight entertainment system, ice. Customers travelling in premium cabins continue to return again and again when making travel plans, for its signature features such as the popular Onboard Lounge and fully flat seats in Business Class, as well as private suites and Shower Spas in First Class.

In December 2020, Emirates introduced its first A380 aircraft in 4-class configuration, featuring Premium Economy. By November this year, the airline will have six aircraft equipped with the seat offering and new-look cabin interiors.

Keeping the health and wellbeing of its passengers as top priority, Emirates has introduced a comprehensive set of safety measures at every step of the customer journey. The airline has also been building on its contactless technology offering and has scaled up its digital verification capabilities to provide its customers even more opportunities to utilise the IATA Travel Pass.

Emirates continues to lead the industry with innovative products and services that address traveller needs during a dynamic time. The airline has taken its customer care initiatives further with even more generous and flexible booking policies, an extension of its multi-risk insurance cover, and helping loyal customers retain their miles and tier status.



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Budget 2025: A spectrum of reactions and perspectives

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By Sanath Nanayakkare

The 2025 Government Budget has begun to attract multiple comments from the corporate sector, academics, the government ranks and the Opposition. Reproduced below are a few of them.

First Capital Research’s analysts pointed out that the budget heavily leant towards social welfare and infrastructure development significantly increasing government expenditure.

“The already announced tax revenue measures and the digitalization drive are expected to boost Government Revenue allowing the Budget Deficit to be contained at 6.7% of GDP. A significant portion of increased government spending has been directed towards social spending with increased public sector salaries and pensions, coupled with higher allocation for assistance programs such as Aswesuma and other additional social benefits. While this ensures financial relief for many households, it also influences overall economic behavior in ways that will be felt across society. Efforts have also been made to support the lagging economy via public investments with spending targeted towards road construction, water projects, housing and city developments,” First Capital said.

“Despite the extravagant spending increases, a substantial increase in revenue is also planned with bulk of the revenue increase expected from taxes on vehicles while VAT on digital services, the imposition of corporate income tax on the export of services, and an increase in the corporate tax on cigarettes/liquor, and gaming is expected support to achieve the target. Further support is anticipated via digitalization and the expansion in the economy where the Government expects to provide a boost through spending on infrastructure, with the aim to balance spending with fiscal discipline while fostering long-term economic stability,” First Capital noted.

Government

“The Opposition was helpless when the President presented a progressive budget that brings good times for the people of this country. It was the most successful budget when looking back at the budgets presented in the past few decades,” Deputy Minister of Fisheries Ratna Gamage said.

“The government has delivered the best salary increments for state employees. The basic salaries of all state employees have increased across the board in significant amounts. Deputy Minister of Labour, Mahinda Jayasinghe said.

Academics

“Sri Lanka needs new technology-driven production economy. For that the contribution of the private sector is needed. The budget has not focused on that aspect,” Economist Professor Wasantha Athukorale said.

“There is some risk emanating from the increase of state employee salaries which will cost Rs. 300 billion within the next three years. This is more than what is collected from PAYEE tax. Dhananath Fernando of Advocata said.

Opposition

“The Budget represented the voice of the IMF, the sovereign bondholders and the scam-laden super-rich,” Peratugami Activist Pubudu Jayagoda said.

“The Budget presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake was the mother of all deceptions”, SLPP General Secretary Sagara Kariyawasam said.

“When state employees get their salary in April, they will realize that they have been taken for a ride by the government, SJB MP Marikkar said.

Janasetha Peramuna leader Ven. Baththaramulle Seelarathan said the government which came to power through the massive support of Buddhist monks., has not made an allocation in the budget for enhancing the quality of education at Pirivenas although other areas of education had allocations.”

Udaya Gammanpila , Leader, Pivithuru Hela Urumaya said that they have identified 12 projects that no allocations were set apart for, through the budget.

Referring to a popular verse about wearing someone else’s pants and strutting about, Gammanpila said,” “The essence of the Budget reveals that the President is confidently adopting Ranil Wickremesinghe’s policies as if they were his own.

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‘Dependence on solar panels hindering national power grid stability’

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By Ifham Nizam

As Sri Lanka accelerates its transition to renewable energy, particularly through the widespread adoption of rooftop solar installations, it is encountering significant hurdles in maintaining the stability of its national power grid.

While the country’s commitment to sustainability aligns with global trends, the increasing reliance on intermittent sources like solar energy has introduced complex challenges, especially during periods of low industrial demand such as weekends and holidays.

A senior electrical engineer, speaking to The Island Financial Review, raised alarm over the escalating frequency fluctuations and instability in the power system, particularly on sunny Sundays when energy demand plummets. The high penetration of non-despatchable renewable energy (NCRE), such as solar power, has reduced system inertia, putting the grid at a heightened risk of failure during these low-demand periods.

He said one critical example was on September 22, 2024, when the national grid registered its lowest demand of 670 MW at 10:53 AM. To keep the grid stable, the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB) had to curtail 160 MW of solar power and other NCRE sources between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM. This action was taken to elevate the grid demand to 820 MW, thus ensuring the dispatch of higher-inertia power plants that provide more stability.

Despite these efforts, the CEB has warned that continued low demand could lead to more frequent instances of under-frequency load shedding (UFLS). In extreme cases, the instability could even result in the tripping of large thermal power plants, such as the Lakvijaya Power Plant in Norochcholai.

The CEB has identified a series of interventions aimed at mitigating these risks and ensuring the power grid remains stable:

New Tariff Structures for Industries: The CEB proposes incentivized electricity rates for industries during weekends and holidays to encourage higher electricity consumption, helping to balance demand fluctuations.

Hydropower as a Stability Solution: Large hydroelectric plants, including Victoria, Kothmale, and Samanalawewa, could be operated in synchronous condenser mode, which would allow them to provide reactive power support without generating electricity, bolstering grid stability.

Gas Turbine Generators for Inertia Support: The operation of the Kelanitissa Gas Turbine 7, with its high inertia, in synchronous condenser mode is being considered to provide further grid stability.

Fast Frequency Response and Energy Storage: Investments in energy storage technologies such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), flywheel storage, and fast-acting gas turbines are seen as critical for stabilizing frequency fluctuations quickly.

NCRE Control Desk Implementation: A dedicated monitoring and forecasting unit for renewable energy generation will help to manage the fluctuating supply of renewable energy more effectively.

Review of Spinning Reserve Requirements: The CEB is reassessing the adequacy of the current hot spinning reserve of 5%, considering the growing proportion of renewable energy on the grid.

Regulatory Framework for NCRE Curtailments: The establishment of a regulatory mechanism to control the dispatch of renewable energy, particularly from plants larger than 5 MW, will be essential in ensuring grid stability.

Optimization of Power Plant Operations: The CEB is exploring ways to optimize the operations of hydro and thermal power plants, particularly concerning their minimum operating power levels and ramp rates, to increase the overall inertia of the system.

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Sri Lanka Bank’s Association welcomes budget as “Positive,” stresses importance of implementation

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Sri Lanka’s banks have welcomed the maiden budget of the new government, describing it as “positive” and one that seeks to maintain policy consistency, especially on the fiscal path.

In a statement, the Sri Lanka Banks’ Association (SLBA), which represents all licensed banks in Sri Lanka, commended the budget proposals presented to Parliament by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

In particular, the SLBA commended the budget’s emphasis on digitization, the proposed establishment of Credit Guarantee Institute for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and the focus on export orientation, and said the key to achieving the envisaged outcomes would be effective and consistent implementation of the proposals in both “letter and spirit.”

Pointing out that the banking sector contributed about 10% of government revenues in 2024 and continues to play a significant role in the growth agenda of the country, the SLBA said the country’s banks remain committed to supporting the implementation of the proposals in the budget.

The Association noted that Point-of-Sale (POS) machines at every VAT registered business entity would lead to transparent business transactions in digitized form, reducing the use of physical cash, and that this would result in a greater percentage of cash-flows being captured in the banking channels.

“Increased digitalization of the financial economy would also increase investments from the financial institutions into digital infrastructure to drive online transactions, tighten anti-money laundering procedures, improve surveillance, and control cyber-crime,” the SLBA said.

It said the establishment of a credible Credit Guarantee Institute for the SMEs and establishing a development bank through the infrastructure of an existing state bank are positive steps that should enhance the segment’s capacity to secure credit and improve the quality of its relationship with the banking sector.

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