AirAsia, based in Malaysia, is considering setting up a low-cost carrier to serve the Gulf region, almost two years after its long-haul division AirAsia X axed its Kuala Lumpur to Abu Dhabi service.
Tony Fernandes, the chief executive of AirAsia, said in Doha yesterday an opportunity had opened up for a budget airline in the region. The Gulf is dominated by premium, full-service carriers although budget carriers such as flydubai, Air Arabia and RAK Airways have emerged in recent years.
Mr Fernandes said: "As a low-cost carrier, we are (into) creating new markets. The key is to create really low fares, which I think the Gulf hasn't seen.
"If you want to compete, you have to create a product that's very different and extremely low priced, so that a guy can go to Dubai for a cup of coffee and come back with his airfare being about the same as his taxi fare."
He said AirAsia had already opened discussions with unnamed potential partners to set up such a budget airline, adding, "AirAsia is investigating (the prospects) quite seriously".
Mr Fernandes also raised the prospect of the group establishing a Middle East hub, which could help its long-haul division reopen services to Europe.
AirAsia X, which left Abu Dhabi in 2010 after three months, has since scrapped routes to London and Paris, blaming the EU's new carbon emissions tax, which is based on the distance from a flight's last departure airport.
A stopover hub in the Middle East before flying to European destinations could help AirAsia X manage the additional cost.
"We want to have a hub in the Middle East in our 10-year strategy, since Asia is more or less covered. Two or three parties have made known their interest. It's interesting, but the talks are very preliminary," Mr Fernandes said.
The carrier has grown into Asia's biggest discount airline in the 10 years since being taken over by Mr Fernandes.
dblack@thenational.ae
* with agencies
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
Company%20Profile
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Avatar%20(2009)
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Moving%20Out%202
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Ticket prices
- Golden circle - Dh995
- Floor Standing - Dh495
- Lower Bowl Platinum - Dh95
- Lower Bowl premium - Dh795
- Lower Bowl Plus - Dh695
- Lower Bowl Standard- Dh595
- Upper Bowl Premium - Dh395
- Upper Bowl standard - Dh295
Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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The Matrix Resurrections
Director: Lana Wachowski
Stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Jessica Henwick
Rating:****
Indika
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What is double taxation?
- Americans living abroad file taxes with the Internal Revenue Service, which can cost hundreds of dollars to complete even though about 60 per cent do not owe taxes, according to the Taxpayer Advocate Service
- Those obligations apply to millions of Americans residing overseas – estimates range from 3.9 million to 5.5 million – including so-called "accidental Americans" who are unaware they hold dual citizenship
- The double taxation policy has been a contentious issue for decades, with many overseas Americans feeling that it punishes them for pursuing opportunities abroad
- Unlike most countries, the US follows a citizenship-based taxation system, meaning that Americans must file taxes annually, even if they do not earn any income in the US.
Squid Game season two
Director: Hwang Dong-hyuk
Stars: Lee Jung-jae, Wi Ha-joon and Lee Byung-hun
Rating: 4.5/5
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Mountain%20Boy
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If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
