ENTER THE A.B.C OF EMIRATE & DUBAI CONNECTION

A Special CERUTTI MEDIA BUSINESS PRESENTATION

Not so long ago, Emirates, Regional Manager for West Africa, Mr. Manoj Nair was in an exclusive audience with select media /International aviation writers at the Lagos, JSP Communications Allen Avenue Office, where sundry Emirates and general Aviation issues were tabled and analyzed.
Over sumptuous lunch and networking, Mr Manoj spoke glowingly of Emirate Dubai link, CERUTTI Media, head of business unit, , VERA ADEFISAYO, here gives a low down of the ABC of all you must know about this twin connections
 

1=what you know ABOUT DUBAI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT,

What manoj opines:

Dubai International Airport is an international airport serving Dubai. It is a major airline hub in the Middle East, and is the main airport of Dubai. It is situated in the Al Garhoud district, 4 km (2.5 mi) northeast of Dubai. The airport is operated by the Department of Civil Aviation and is the home base of Dubai's international airlines, Emirates, FlyDubai and Emirates SkyCargo; the Emirates hub is the largest airline hub in the Middle East; Emirates handles 64% of all passenger traffic, and accounts for 50% of all aircraft movements at the airport. Dubai Airport is also the base for low-cost carrier, Flydubai which handles 10.7% of passenger traffic at DXB. The airport became a secondary hub for Qantas in April 2013 after a major partnership was formed with Emirates. Qantas will use Dubai as the main stopover point for flights travelling to Europe. As of September 2012, there are over 6,000 weekly flights operated by 130 airlines to over 220 destinations across every continent except Antarctica.

Dubai Airport is spread over an area of 8,640 acres (3,500 ha) of land. In 2012 the airport handled a record 56.5. million in passenger traffic, a 13.2% increase over 2011. This made it one of the worlds busiest in the world. In addition to being an important passenger traffic hub, the airport was the 6th busiest cargo airport in world, handling 2.27 million tonnes of cargo in 2012. The total number of commercial aircraft movements was 344,245 in 2012, MANOJ predicted that by 2020 the airport may witness a record 98 million passenger travelling via Dubai

Dubai International is an important contributor to the Dubai economy, employing approximately 58,000 people, and indirectly supports over 250,000 jobs in Dubai and contributes over US$22 billion to the GDP, which represents around 19% of total employment in Dubai, and 28% of Dubai’s GDP. It is predicted that by 2020 the economic contribution of Dubai’s aviation sector will rise to 32% of Dubai’s GDP and support over 373,000 jobs.

2=DESTINATION DUBAI: exploring the extraordinary wonder land

of Far East city

Here, Manoj did not mince word when he postulated that Dubai is no doubt one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Now, he advised luxury and business travelers to Endeavour to explore Dubai as they travel there with Emirates who have put together an amazing Dubai guide to show all concerned its attractions and secrets, where one can be able to experience the best in everything, from fine dining and nightlife to sightseeing and sport, through to world class boutiques and businesses.

‘With overflowing malls, world-class businesses and sophisticated haunts, it’s a truly international oasis that attracts entrepreneurs, adventurers and pleasure-seekers alike. Whether you travel to Dubai for business or  on holiday, there is plenty to discover, so why wait?’’ Mr. Manoj wondered.

3=EMIRATE AIRLINE:

To start with, the Regional manager took the pain to paint a photo of Emirate that many may not be aware of. Hear him: ‘Emirates is an airline based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The airline is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group, which is wholly owned by the government of Dubai's Investment Corporation of Dubai. It is the largest airline in the Middle East, operating nearly 3,400 flights per week from its hub at Dubai International Airport, to more than 150 cities in 74 countries across six continents. Cargo activities are undertaken by the Emirates Group's Emirates SkyCargo division.

‘The airline ranks among the top 10 carriers worldwide in terms of passenger kilometres, and has become the largest airline in the Middle East in terms of revenue, fleet size, and passengers carried as of 2007. In 2012 the airline was the fourth-largest airline in the world in terms of international passengers carried and the fourth-largest in the world in terms of scheduled passenger-kilometres flown. The airline was also the third-largest in terms of scheduled freight tonne-kilometres flown. The company also operates four of the world's longest non-stop commercial flights from Dubai to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Houston’’

He revealed that as of today, the airline boast of about 205 aircrafts with about 188 more to order, and currently about 135 destination through Dubai International airport and armed with a massive multi linguist crew of over 125 nationalist who speak 50 different languages, and with a business class on board lounge that si nothing but eye popping and worth the price

4=STOP OVER, DUBAI

That Dubai International Airport is among the world’s busiest is a statement that sir never in doubt. Now with more 55 million passengers a year either arriving or passing through, there’s a good chance a visitor’s next international flight may see him/her touching down in the desert.

The Dubai stop over, Manoj stated was invented to help break long and frustrating journey. Rather than embark on over 20 hours flight, why not break it down and stopover in Dubai for one or two days sightseeing?

WHAT TO ENJOY IN THE STOP OVER? If you're looking to turn your transit into a 24-hour stopover, we Can now help bring you, courtesy Emirate a  definitive list of Dubai “must do's” for your next power visit.  

Dubai Fountain 

Hang around till the end of the show and you'll see people applauding a fountain. Behold the world’s largest choreographed fountain, in the shadow of the world’s tallest building.

It’s also among the world’s most expensive, built to the tune of a staggering 800 million dirhams (US$217 million).

The daily light and water spectacle lasts about five minutes and is accompanied by an eclectic soundtrack that varies depending on the show timing.

Water blasts reach 125 meters (410 feet) skyward while pulsating light throbs in time to the music.

On windy evenings, place yourself away from the “splash zone,” unless you want to end up wet.

·         Top,  Burj Khalifa

At the Top: A name so obvious it works. The best way to orient yourself before exploring the city is with a visit to At the Top, Burj Khalifa.

Yes, at 828 meters, it’s the world’s tallest building. Yes, the panorama is jaw dropping. And, yes, if you’re afraid of heights a visit probably isn't a good idea.

That's the obvious stuff.

But did you know that if you visit during Ramadan and decide to break your fast on the observation deck, you’ll have to wait three minutes longer than everyone on the ground? 

The world's largest free standing structure is so tall that Dubai’s Grand Mufti has issued a decree that those above the 80th floor must adjust their prayer times in accordance with when they can see the sun set (not when it’s scheduled on the clock).

Skydive Dubai

Skydiving. Perfect for those who feel life on the ground isn't terrifying enough. A monolithic formation of rock and sand, the Palm Jumeirah adds an additional 64 kilometers to Dubai’s coastline.

Ostentatiously carving up the ocean in the shape of an enormous palm tree, it's one of the few man-made structures that can be seen from space.

The best place to take in views of the Palm Jumeirah is Skydive Dubai, host of three consecutive World Parachuting Championships.

A tandem skydive gives you sweeping views over the city and desert as you plummet almost 4,000 meters (13,000 feet) toward the beach next to the Palm Jumeirah.

You’ll also be able to view The World, a cluster of man-made islands resembling a world map hidden off the coast of Dubai. Best catch them now before the ocean erodes this stalled development project.

·       Gold Souq

Even if you're not in the market for precious metal, Dubai's Gold Souq is a great place to check out the locals in action. At any given moment there are around 10 tons of gold in this 50-year-old souq. It’s a dazzling and chaotic spectacle; crowds push and swirl through the busy corridors searching among more than 300 traders for a bargain.

This is one of the cheapest places in the world to buy gold. Prices constantly fluctuate according to the market, with electronic signs throughout the souq updated to display the current rate.

Expect to pay market price for the gold and a manufacturing fee on top. While there’s no disputing the market price, it’s advised (and expected) that you haggle on any additional costs.

The Dubai Government stringently regulates the quality of the gold in the souq to ensure that everything is above board, conducting random inspections of shops to guarantee the quality.

 

Looks like you're going to need a bigger spice rack. The Spice Souq is a two-minute walk from the Gold Souq, and worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Almost every spice imaginable is on display as you wander the narrow alleys.

Thick, white frankincense smoke mixes with dried lime and ginger, creating a scent you'll wish was edible. Piles of colorful dried chilies sit beside sacks of lavender petals.

An exotic buy is fine Iranian saffron, worth more per gram than gold.

·       Al Fanar Restaurant

 

In the mood for Emirate? It can only be Al Fanar. After conducting an exhaustive search, we’re happy to confirm the veracity of Al Fanar’s claim to be “the first and only Emirati restaurant” in Dubai.

While other restaurants pepper their menus with a few cursory Emirati dishes, none have a comprehensive selection dedicated to local cuisine to rival this authentic and ambient establishment.

Recreating the atmosphere of a traditional 1960s Emirati house, with walls punctuated by photos depicting pre-oil Dubai, diners can choose from private rooms, outdoor areas and traditional floor seating in private thatched huts.

Traditional dishes such as machboos (a mountain of rice and meat cooked with Arabic spices), saloona (chunky lamb and vegetable stew) and harees (a thick wheat-based porridge mixed with shredded meat) are staples and a recommended way to calibrate your palate for an Emirati immersion.