UPFRONT
EMIRATES RANKED FOURTH MOST VALUABLE AIRLINE BRAND IN THE WORLD INDEPENDENT CONSULTANCY, Brand Finance, has published its annual Brand Finance
Airlines 50 2022 ranking. Within it, Dubai-based carrier Emirates is ranked as the fourth most valuable airline brand in the world. It estimated Emirates’ brand value at nearly US$5 billion. The consultancy added that the value is gauged as the net economic benefit an owner would achieve by licensing the brand in the open market. Emirates is the only Middle East carrier to be featured in the top 10 most valuable airline brands in the world – a list that is led by Delta. Delta’s brand value was estimated to be up 27 per cent to US$7.3 billion. Saudi Arabia’s flag carrier Saudia (brand value up 13 per cent to US$0.5 billion) meanwhile was ranked as the fastest-growing airline in the Middle East.
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New freezone opens aboard QE2 Hotel in Dubai DUQE FREE ZONE has opened its headquarters in the Queen Elizabeth 2 Floating Hotel which is anchored permanently in Dubai’s Port Rashid. In June, DUQE announced its partnership with the Ports, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC), an umbrella organisation operating under the Dubai Government. The new freezone entity will assist businesses beyond the launch stage by additionally delivering a range of value-added services including bank account opening assistance, accounting, medical fitness checks, Emirates ID, health insurance, VAT registration aid as well as business centre solutions. Hotel group Accor recently confirmed that it will rebrand the QE2 under its M Gallery portfolio. J U LY-A U G U S T 2 0 2 2
NEW HOME CHECK-IN SERVICE FOR SELECT EMIRATES PASSENGERS IN DUBAI AND SHARJAH Emirates has launched a new home check-in service for first class customers based in Dubai and Sharjah. Slots must be booked at least 24 hours before the flight, and are available up to six hours before departure. Formalities including document verification, checking-in of baggage, and issuing boarding passes will be undertaken by the visiting agents. They will transport the passenger’s luggage directly to the airport. The customers can arrive at the airport to catch their flight a minimum of 90 minutes before their scheduled departure time.
Le Meridien enters Qatar with 377-room hotel in Doha LE MÉRIDIEN HOTELS AND RESORTS,
part of Marriott Bonvoy’s portfolio, has entered the Qatar market with its new Le Royal Méridien Doha property. Located in the country’s future city, Lusail, the 377room hotel features striking neo-classical architecture and connects to the Place Vendôme Qatar luxury complex that is home to 580 retail outlets, fine-dining outlets, theatres, office and residential spaces. The hotel’s dining options include Adrift Anda by David Myers, alfresco restaurant Yedi, Loleya Patisserie by Chef Aziz, and The G.O.A.T Sports Lounge. The property has 240 guest rooms, including 53 suites, offering sea or city views. It also boasts of 137 residences including studios, as well as one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. For meetings and events, the hotel’s in-house events team, Le Caractère Events, can curate large events including lavish weddings or business gatherings in its 11,000 sqm events space. The Pétale Royal Ballroom can host large events of up to 750 guests.
