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Yemenia embarks on 
major expansion drive

DUBAI - Yemenia has embarked on a major growth drive that will see the national carrier of Yemen strengthening its presence in various markets, adding new sectors and modernising fleet.

Muneer Mohamed Jahwash, Deputy Managing director for Commercial Affairs at Yemenia, said the expansion drive was aimed at positioning the airline as one of the leading carriers in the Middle East region.

Following its recent foray into China with an inaugural flight to Guanzhou on June 7, the airline now plans new routes in Africa, he said.

Currently, the carrier flies to 32 destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, the Gulf countries, the Indian Sub Continent, the Far East and now China.

As huge demand is foreseen between points in Africa and China, Yemenia plans to launch new routes from its Sana’a hub, said Jahwash. Also on the cards is increasing frequencies on existing routes.

The airline has been flying to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta via Dubai since 2002. It currently flies thrice a week to Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta.

Yemenia now operates twice weekly flights to Guanzhou via Dubai with its latest Airbus A330-200s, he said. On Mondays and Wednesdays flights depart Sana’a at 0800hrs and arriving Guangzhou at 2359hrs. Flights from Guangzhou depart at 0145hrs on Tuesdays and Thursdays and arrive Sana’a at 0810hrs. Both outbound and inbound flights transits Dubai, offering non-stop flight experience for passengers travelling between Dubai and Guangzhou, said Jahwash.

“With convenient connections from Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the new route is expected to be popular among expatriates returning to Guangzhou and the international business community having strong commercial links with the city,” he said. The frequency to China will be increased the frequency in future as demand grows over a period of time, he said.

“We are truly excited to see this route materialising as it offers our passengers non-stop flying experience between Dubai and Guangzhou at a very competitive price,” said Lyndon Peyoli, Sales Manager of Yemenia in Dubai. “We are receiving a tremendous support from our trade partners and customers whom we have been serving for many years. Guangzhou is the third destination we fly non-stop apart Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta in the Far East.”

On Yemenia’s fleet expansion programme, Jahwash said10 Airbus A320s would be added to its fleet across in two years. The first aircraft will be taken delivery in April 2011, and afterwards one aircraft each quarter.

“These narrow bodied aircraft would be mainly used to strengthen our operation in the Indian Subcontinent and Middle East North Africa region.”

The airline has also placed orders for 10 Airbus A350 XWB wide-body series aircraft. Those are scheduled to be delivered starting from 2015. “We are progressively modernizing our fleet by phasing out old aircraft and replacing them with new ones,” added Jahwash.

Yemenia currently has a fleet of Airbus A330-200s, Airbus A310-100s and Boeing 737-800s.

Yemenia Holidays, a subsidiary of Yemenia offers various holiday packages, from short city stays to all inclusive tour packages catering to individuals as well as groups, in all cities, across the network.

“We have ‘value for money’ packages especially to Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Guangzhou and Jakarta,” said Jahwash.

We recently introduced packages to Socotra Island, Yemen. Socotra has become a favorite destination for people interested in wildlife, nature, fauna and flora. Activities like scuba diving and snorkeling attract tourists all around the world. Special discounts are offered for group packages. Yemenia Holidays also has also created holiday packages for Cairo, Beirut, Damascus and Europe, he said.


issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com