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Emirates sets new profit record
The Emirates Group has announced another record
performance with net profits of US$762 million for the financial year ended
31 March 2006 - up five per cent from the previous year’s record profits of
US$726 million.
 His
Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive,
Emirates Airline and Group announced another record performance for the
Emirates Group for the financial year ended 31 March 2006
Group revenue increased by an impressive US$1.4 billion or 27 per cent, to
US$6.6 billion compared to US$5.2 billion last year. The Group’s cash
balance was a robust US$3 billion at the end of March, an improvement of
28.6 per cent against a year earlier.
The 2005-06 Annual Report of the Emirates Group - comprising Emirates
Airline, Dnata and subsidiary companies was released in Dubai last week at a
news conference hosted by His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum,
Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.
The Group’s sharp sales growth and record returns reflect customers’
increasing preference for its products, as illustrated by the two million
more passengers who flew Emirates in the latest financial year, for a new
record total of 14.5 million.
Sheikh Ahmed said: “These results clearly show that Emirates’
customer-oriented approach and investments in providing a quality product -
the best aircraft that money can buy, top-flight service and travel
experience at a competitive price has paid off in terms of retaining and
winning new customers globally.”
He continued: “It has been another tough year with pressure from fuel costs
continuously dampening our robust net income production. Emirates has
returned its 18th consecutive annual profit, and we are pleased to have
achieved this solid performance while expanding our operations in an
increasingly competitive environment.”
In his opening review in the 2005-06 Annual Report, Sheikh Ahmed remarked on
the catalystic relationship between the transformation of Dubai into a
world-class centre for business, tourism and transport, and the explosive
growth of Emirates and Dnata to become world-beating companies.
One of the key highlights of the year was Emirates’ signing of a massive US$
9.7 billion contract for 42 Boeing 777 aircraft at the 2005 Dubai Air Show.
This is the largest ever single order for Boeing 777 aircraft, and brought
the value of Emirates’ total order book for new aircraft to US$33 billion.
Over the next eight years, the airline will receive delivery of one new
aircraft per month on average.
The airline forecasts that its fleet will comprise 156 aircraft by 2010,
serving 101 destinations and carrying some 26 million passengers.
Delays foreseen in opening
of new airport
Caretaker Deputy Transport Minister Gen. Chainant
Charoensiri has expressed his concerns that a planned opening of
Suvarnabhumi international airport this July could be delayed due to
extensive repairs to the passenger terminal and to roofing fabric on
concourse buildings.
Following recent inspections by leading civil engineers from the Air Force,
Chainant revealed that 14 sections of roofing fabric on concourse buildings
had to be replaced while another 81 sheets needed repairs and that this
remedial work could take a few months. Refurbishment of the duty free
shopping area, to be operated by King’s Power Duty Free, is also required as
many cracks were found on the floors of concourse buildings and water also
leaked from them.
Construction contractor ITO Joint Venture, however, reiterated that all the
structural work would be completed this June but tests on facilities could
be delayed. Its staff said the airport should be open this year but they
declined to specify the exact month.
The caretaker government has already set a deadline for the opening of
Suvarnabhumi international airport for this July. (TNA)
Thailand minister visits Korea
for tourism talks
Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports, Pracha
Maleenond, visited Korea last week to discuss issues hindering tourism
growth for both inbound Koreans and outbound Thais.
The ministry’s permanent secretary, Sakthip Krairik, said Korean arrivals to
Thailand were growing at around 10 per cent per year, but that there was a
lack of Korean-speaking Thai guides.
“There are presently only 800 Korean-speaking Thai guides in the kingdom,
most of whom possess only a fair command of the Korean language”, he said.
This has prompted Korean-owned tour companies to employ native Koreans as
guides. The practice violates the Thai law, which prohibits employment of
foreign guides.
Sakthip indicated that the ministry had relaxed the rules to allow Koreans
to work as interpreters alongside local Thai guides, although he conceded
the move was only a short-term measure.
He said the ministry had been working with Songkhla University in Thailand
to train Korean-speaking Thai guides as part of its long-term strategy. Last
year, the university awarded certificates to around 311 guides. It is
training another 500 student this year.
Some 600,000 and 700,000 Koreans visited Thailand in 2004 and 2005,
respectively. Between 800,000 and 900,000 Koreans are expected to visit the
kingdom this year. (TTG)
Thailand confident
of bouncing back this year
After falling short of its tourism targets last year,
Thailand hopes to bounce back and attract 13.8 million foreign tourists this
year. Against a set target of 13.8 million last year, the South East Asian
nation could only manage to attract 12 million due to the devastating
tsunami in December 2004.
Juthamas Siriwan, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said:
“This year again the target is 13.8 million visitors, and 79.3 million
domestic trips, which together should generate about $20 billion.”
The TAT official shared that Thailand’s tourism sector had already witnessed
impressive growth in the first quarter of 2006, with arrivals up 37 percent
in January, 30 percent in February and 20 percent in March, compared with
the same months last year.
“When there was the tsunami last year, I thought that was the end of the
tourism industry but we recovered very fast, in only six months,” said
Juthamas.
Meanwhile, around 1.7 million Thais are expected to travel overseas, mainly
to countries in Asia, during the first half of 2006, according to a report
issued by the Kasikorn Research Center (KRC), while Thailand will lose
foreign exchanges worth about US$1.375 billion.
About 750,000 Thai tourists are expected to have traveled abroad during the
first quarter of 2006 (January-March), an increase of eight percent from the
corresponding period of 2005. The number of outbound Thai tourists is
anticipated to further rise in the second quarter of this year due to an
ease in the domestic political tension and a stronger baht. It says that
about 950,000 Thais are projected to travel overseas during the second
quarter of 2006, up 12 percent from the same period of 2005. (ETN)
National carrier announces new air travel fuel surcharge rates
Thai Airways International has announced new fuel
surcharge rates affecting both domestic and international routes effective
from June 1. According to THAI Vice President for Commercial Affairs Vasingh
Kittikul, the new rates are in response to rising global energy prices. The
tariffs reflect the rising cost of aviation fuel, and are in line with
airline practice around the world.
From June 1, all domestic tickets will have a Bt 400 baht one-way and Bt 800
return ticket surcharge, up from the current rate of Bt300 per trip.
On routes from Bangkok to Europe, Israel, Australia, New Zealand, and the US
cities of Los Angeles and New York, the fuel surcharge will be US$65, or
about Bt 2,600 per trip, compared to the current rate of US$50.
Flights between Bangkok and the Middle East - Muscat, Dubai and Kuwait will
be subject to a US$30 fuel surcharge per trip, up from US$25.
The new fuel surcharge for THAI flights between Bangkok and Korea will be
US$35. Flights between Bangkok and Taipei, as well as to the Chinese cities
of Beijing and Shanghai will be subject to a US$30 surcharge. The rates for
flights between Bangkok and Japan will also be increased from US$25 to
US$35.
Fuel surcharges for flights from Bangkok to neighbouring Laos and Cambodia
will also be subject to the new, lower rates of US$10 per flight, compared
to the current US$25. Flights to Singapore and Malaysia will also be taxed
less at US$15 and US$14 per trip respectively.
For routes other than the above, THAI will maintain the US$25 rate. (TNA)
PATA to create new ‘summit’ to replace conference
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will design a
new-style, industry-focused annual ‘summit’ to replace the 55-year old PATA
Annual Conference. The first summit will take place in 2008. Destinations
that had been appointed to organise the 2007 and 2008 Conferences - Chinese
Taipei and Sri Lanka respectively, have been advised to cease preparations.
New bid books for the inaugural 2008 summit will be circulated to all PATA
member destinations later this year.
The decision, passed by the PATA Board of Directors on April 23 and ratified
by the PATA Annual General Meeting on April 24, included a mandate for PATA
to create a new format for Committee, Board and Annual General Meetings. The
internally-focused agendas of the Board and AGM sessions can now, if
necessary, be de-linked from the summit, which, PATA officers said, should
be outward looking, intellectually compelling and able to attract iconic
speakers.
PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong said: “The PATA Board has taken the
wise, long-term view to vote for a more tightly focused summit-style event.
The summit would demonstrate PATA’s growing role as the convener of
high-level discussions on the major global issues and opportunities that
shape the travel industry.”
He added: “Our Board of Directors understood and acknowledged the
disappointment expressed by Chinese Taipei and Sri Lanka. It was
heart-warming to note, however, that both destinations appreciated the
greater good for the Association and accepted the Board’s sovereign and
democratic decision-making process.”
While the format and scope of the summit is yet to be confirmed, Mr de Jong
said that the new event would enhance the PATA brand, be affordable for
destinations to host, be time and cost-efficient for busy executives, be
content focused, be in tune with PATA’s advocacy agenda, be a platform to
convert non-members to members, and deliver a better return on investment
for host destinations and PATA.
During 2007, PATA will hold two Board meetings and a ‘new-style’ AGM. It
will also consider convening smaller summit-like events in different parts
of Asia Pacific.(TTG)
Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya
celebrates 5th anniversary
Peter Nordhues
Rotary Club of Taksin-Pattaya recently turned five years old so President
Stephan Heynert invited members, friends of the club and a contingent of
Rotarians from other clubs to a celebratory party which was held on the top
floor of the Mark-Land Hotel. The festivities were held on April 13
coinciding with the traditional Songkran festival. It was not only an
evening of reminiscences of projects achieved, but was also one where
Rotarians were urged to strive for a brighter and clearer look into the
future of service to the community.
 Charter
President Peter Thorand relates the story of how the club was formed.
Amongst distinguished guests were District Governor of 3340 RI, Jin
Srikasikorn, PDG Premprecha Dibbayawan and DGN Pratheep Malhotra.
In his opening remarks President Stefan said “During the past five years our
club has been very successful. Many charity projects have been undertaken
and we have helped the underprivileged and needy,” he added, “I can assure
you that many more projects are in planning and being worked upon.”
 Jin
Srikasikorn, District Governor.
DGN Pratheep Malhotra who was then the district governor’s special
representative in helping to form the club congratulated the members on
their milestone and announced the imminent visit of Rotary International
President Carl-Wilhelm Stenhammar on May 26. The welcoming ceremonies will
coincide with the Inter City meeting which will be held at the Town-in-Town
Hotel. He urged all Rotarians to attend saying, “It is not everyday that the
president of Rotary International comes to Thailand let alone to Pattaya, so
it is a great honour and privilege for all of us and no Rotarian should miss
this once in a lifetime opportunity to meet and greet him.”
Charter President Peter Thorand related the events that led to the founding
of the club saying. “It had all began in November 2000, when I was a member
of the Rotary Club Jomtien-Pattaya.
 President
Stephan Heynert presented certificates of appreciation to Hans Schaad and
Trutz Hagen Fiddickow for their never-ending efforts.
“At the time the club had over 40 members and I thought it was time to
branch out and spread the Rotary ideals of Service above self even further.
District Governor Premprecha Dibbayawan permitted us to meet as a
provisional club and Past President Peter Malhotra was our mentor. On April
13, 2000 we received our charter. The logo of our club was designed by Elfi
Seitz, the executive editor of Pattaya Blatt. With 30 founding members and
120 guests from the community we celebrated our Charter night at the Dusit
Resort.”
“The rest as they say...is history.”
 DGN
Pratheep Malhotra speaks of the early days and hopes for the future.
Stephan Heynert and sergeant-in-arms John Botting presented certificates of
appreciation to Hans Schaad and Trutz Hagen Fiddickow for their incessant
efforts. Stephan announced the upcoming installation night of incoming
president Charles Evans would be held on June 3 at the Amari Orchid Hotel,
Pattaya. All Rotarians and friends of Rotary are welcome to join.
The customary raffle was held with valuable prizes which were donated by
many sponsors, including a very expensive coffee machine and a unique prize
from Ursula’s Antiques attracted much attention.
HTMS Narathiwat sails into Sattahip
from Chinese shipbuilding yard
Patcharapol Panrak
The new Royal Thai Navy ship HTMS Narathiwat sailed into Laemthian Port at
Sattahip Naval Base on May 4 direct from the shipbuilding yard in China,
with a rousing welcome from the families of the sailors who had gone to
collect the vessel and a special delegation of Moslem youngsters from
Narathiwat province, after which the ship takes her name.
The Muslim youngsters from
Narathiwat present a souvenir to Commander Chaksawat Saiwong (commander in
chief of the HTMS Narathiwat) and the sailors.
The Narathiwat is one of two Coast Guard patrol vessels
commissioned from China Ship Building Trading Co Ltd in China.
Admiral Wichai Yuwanangkul, deputy commander-in-chief of the Royal Navy, led
the reception for the Narathiwat. The youngsters from the Southern province
of Narathiwat presented a memento of the occasion to the ship’s Commander
Chaksawat Saiwong, and expressed their pride in having the ship named after
their hometown.
Normally the Royal Thai Navy uses frigates for patrolling far away from the
shore, where the diverse duties involve a large number of men. However,
there was a need for patrol vessels that are also designed for combat, which
requires a lot of equipment and extra numbers of military personnel. The
Navy had therefore arranged for a different kind of reconnaissance boat,
similar in size to a frigate, but capable of extra duties.
The HTMS Narathiwat has a displacement of 1,440 tons, is 11.6 meters wide
and 95.5 meters long, has a top speed of 25 knots, and can travel a distance
of 3,500 miles. It has a high capacity for support at sea, and has a deck
with a 300 Super Lynx helicopter landing pad. For the weapons system
installation, the Royal Thai Navy will proceed in Thailand with China
providing weapons installation and testing, and the installation of the
control system.
HTMS Narathiwat sails into
Sattahip.
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