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Discuss this article (0 Comments)The new ‘Jetrosexual’ generation
by ArabianBusiness.com staff writer on Tuesday, 27 November 2007
zoomRoyal Jet suggests using its new Learjet 45 aircraft for whirlwind day shopping trips.ound the Gulf.
The carrier recently strengthened its product offer with the acquisition of two twin-engine Learjet 45 aircraft, each capable of flying for up to four hours non-stop making intra-regional travel a cinch.
Royal Jet president and chief executive Shan O'Hare said the new aircraft would prove popular for same-day travel and would also serve demand for luxury travel to Hajj and Umrah.
"The aircraft can be booked and ready to leave within two hours of a client's request," he said.
O'Hare also suggested using the aircraft for a whirlwind shopping trip between Dubai, Bahrain, Riyadh and Kuwait - in a single day.
The popularity of private jets and all-business class carriers amongst top end travellers has enticed "integrated luxury transport provider" Avolus to enter the Dubai market next month (December).
Its aim is "to offer seamless private travel and standardised global rates through partnerships and sophisticated itinerary planning technology", according to managing director Alexis Grabar.
"Initially we focused on the UK, then Russia from where the top three destinations were London, south of France and Dubai," he said.
"After assessing the market here, we decided to open up to build our network of partnerships and develop the right solutions for travellers, working both with the travel trade and individuals."
Setting its sights even higher, Virgin Galactic and several other consortia are aiming to make space travel a reality within two years.
Savvy UAE travel company Sharaf Travel & Tourism Group, the GSA for Virgin Atlantic, seized the opportunity to become the accredited space office for Virgin Galactic earlier this year and has witnessed a strong market response according to head of space marketing Sharon Garrett.
"We have already generated sales in the region; both ex-pats and Arabs, males and females, and it is appealing on many levels. To space enthusiasts, those where money is no object and those that will mortgage everything for an adrenalin kick like this," she said.
In addition, individual charter flights are now on sale and Garrett said there had been serious interest from corporate business for the ultimate incentive - at $1.2 million, a mere snip.
IATA’s premium traffic monitor
Premium air traffic grew by 1% in July down from 1.9% in June, according to the latest IATA statistics.
A sharp fall in premium traffic within Europe dampened the overall figures, but excluding these routes, premium traffic volume growth was a much higher 5.1% in July.
Growth rates slowed on the important long-haul routes across the North Atlantic and Europe-Far East, but this was partly offset by higher growth on Trans-Pacific and intra-Far East routes.
There are signs that despite a relatively low rate of overall traffic growth, the increase in premium traffic revenues is still strong.
The decline in premium traffic on routes within Europe has less of an impact on the revenue side where it accounts for just over 10% of total premium revenues.
Premium traffic revenues grew by an estimated 3.2% in July, down from 5.4% in June, but still well above the rate of volume growth.
Premium air traffic grew by 1% in July down from 1.9% in June, according to the latest IATA statistics.
A sharp fall in premium traffic within Europe dampened the overall figures, but excluding these routes, premium traffic volume growth was a much higher 5.1% in July.
Growth rates slowed on the important long-haul routes across the North Atlantic and Europe-Far East, but this was partly offset by higher growth on Trans-Pacific and intra-Far East routes.
There are signs that despite a relatively low rate of overall traffic growth, the increase in premium traffic revenues is still strong.
The decline in premium traffic on routes within Europe has less of an impact on the revenue side where it accounts for just over 10% of total premium revenues.
Premium traffic revenues grew by an estimated 3.2% in July, down from 5.4% in June, but still well above the rate of volume growth.
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