He did not say how many planes the new airline will be acquiring.

The budget carrier is expected to start operating within one year and will serve destinations within four and half hours of flying distance from Dubai.

The Dubai government announced last month a new company will be formed to operate the low-cost airline with its own brand and identity. Shaikh Ahmad is the chairman of the new airline and Gaith Al Gaith, executive vice-president commercial operations at Emirates, its chief executive.

The budget carrier will be supported by Emirates during the set-up period, but it will not be part of the Emirates Group.

Shaikh Ahmad said the new airline will not affect the ongoing expansion of Emirates or take its market share.

He said Emirates has continued growing despite the entry of carriers such as Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways.

“The market is there that will sustain this growth,” Shaikh Ahmad said.

Emirates will acquire 247 new aircraft over the next few years to serve its growing route network.

Asked if Emirates would have any operations at the upcoming mega airport in Jebel Ali, Shaikh Ahmad said the current policy is to operate from existing base.

“We can operate in two airports but the policy is to stick to one airport

“We are talking to both Airbus and Boeing to decide on what type of aircraft we are going to have and what will be available in one year’s time from now,” Shaikh Ahmad told reporters.

Airbus Middle East President Habib Fekih told Gulf News the new airline could buy between 50 and 70 aircraft in the next five years.

The Visit Visa applies to tourists who wish to spend more than 14 days in Dubai, those coming for family visits as well as those on long-term business visits.

It requires the sponsorship of any U.A.E. resident or any company or hotel licensed to operate within the U.A.E. A refundable DH 2,000 guarantee from expatriates who wish to sponsor distant relatives is imposed.

This visa is valid for entry within two months from its date of issue.

The Visit Visa is valid for 60 days and is renewable for a total stay of up to 90 days. A fee of Dhs 500 is charged for this renewal.

In order to complete the application, the sponsor will require the visitor’s date of arrival and arrival details and a photocopy of the first few pages of the visitor’s passport, which must be valid for at least three months. There is a fee of Dhs 100 for obtaining a visit visa. There is also a fee of Dhs 10 for visa delivery service by DNATA.  Hotels, hotel apartments, tour operators, travel agents and airlines may not levy supplementary charges or processing fees in excess of Dhs 50/- for arranging visas for visitors.

The Visit Visa holder may enter and leave the country through any port of entry in the U.A.E.

96-hour Visa for Transit Passengers

Transit passengers stopping at Dubai International Airport for a minimum of 8 hours and meeting the certain conditions mentioned below are eligible for obtaining a 96-hour transit visa. These conditions are as follow:

• Airlines sponsored only (prior arrangements maybe required)
• Applications should have confirmed onward booking to the 3rd destination

For transit passengers or those holding special permits, or for visit or mission, the passport or the document must be valid for at least three months.

Service for transit passengers

For Emirates Airlines travelers, the airline can handle the service for their travelers. However for those flying through other Airlines, they have to contact directly the “Marhaba Services” for any transit service. A contact detail is provided herewith

US Citizens

US citizens (tourists and business people) may apply to the UAE embassies in the US for one to ten year multiple-entry visas. A sponsor is required and the visa will be granted free of charge. The maximum duration of stay should not exceed six months a visit.

Citizens of Western Europe and Pacific Rim

Citizens of UK (with the right of abode in the United Kingdom), France, Italy, Germany, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Portugal, Ireland, Greece, Finland, Spain, Monaco, Vatican City, Iceland, Andorra, San Marino, Liechtenstein, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and holders of Hong Kong SAR passports will be granted a free of charge for One Entry Visit visa on arrival in the UAE.

Currently, it has been decided to postpone the implementation of the new regulation as far as Cyprus is concerned. The visa enables them to stay for 60 days. The visa is renewable for a total stay of 90 days for a fee of Dhs 500.

AGCC Citizens

Citizens of the Arab Gulf Co-operation Council member states (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia) do not need a visa.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, launched the project on Friday.

The Mohammad Bin Rashid Gardens project, comprising four clusters and 73 per cent greenery, will be implemented by Dubai Properties, a member of Dubai Holding.

Shaikh Mohammad viewed a model of the project and watched a presentation of the project’s components during the launch on Friday. 

The presentation was attended by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai; Shaikh Maktoum Bin Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai; Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, and Lieutenant General Mussabah Rashid Al Fattan, Head of Shaikh Mohammad’s office.

Al Gergawi, who is also CEO of Dubai Holding, said the project is in line with Shaikh Mohammad’s concern over the health and welfare of future generations.

“The idea of the project was embodied in Shaikh Mohammad’s decision to establish green buildings that are environment friendly, restrict the usage of power and protect natural resources from being wasted,”

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