Annual Report 2008-2009 - Emirates.com

Public, International, Industry and
Environment Affairs
The continuous pursuit of the liberalisation
of traffic rights resulted in the department
conducting public affairs and government
engagements involving the Chairman, President
and senior management in Australia, United
States of America, United Kingdom, Germany,
Canada, Japan, Korea, India and other key
markets. Major successes were achieved in
South America, southern Africa and India.
Public Affairs managed a campaign to help
mitigate Emirates’ serious concerns over the
UK government’s Air Passenger Duty. It also
launched a new publication to share the airline’s
view on industry and policy news internationally,
and a new feature on the website.
New Air Services Agreements were concluded
with Japan (enabling Emirates to operate to
Tokyo’s Narita Airport in 2010) and with the
Comoros, Lithuania, Romania and Luxemburg.
New codeshare deals were signed with Jet
Airways and Oman Air.
Industry Affairs continues to represent Emirates
at the IATA Agency and Services Conferences
for both passenger and cargo activities. Emirates
also joined Billing and Settlement Plans (BSP)
implemented in Argentina, Benin, Bosnia and
Herzegovina, Chile, Nigeria and Spain and
now participates in BSP with 99 countries. The
airline also joined the IATA Cargo Accounts &
Settlement System (CASS) in Bangladesh and is
now participating in CASS with 43 countries. At
the recent IATA/CASS Policy meeting, Emirates
was appointed to chair this group.
Industry Affairs pursued the inclusion of
airline web sales, within the industry bank
guarantees, provided by travel agents. IATA
Resolution changes have thus been adopted for
implementation.
Environment Affairs launched a major new
environment policy in 2008 which aims to
make Emirates the world’s most eco-efficient
airline. As part of this project, the airline began
its largest-ever single recycling programme
through the collection of thousands of tonnes
of paper, cardboard, plastic and aluminium
at Emirates Group headquarters and other
buildings.
The highlights of the year were two “green
flights”. In collaboration with other departments,
Environmental Affairs organised the world’s first
and longest trans-polar green demonstration
flight from Dubai to San Francisco, while the
A380 inaugural flight to Sydney launched the
new aviation environmental programme. The
department was responsible for introducing a
further 10 measures from these flights across
the global network.
Facilities/Projects Management
From a twin-tower five-star hotel to more
modest staff accommodation, the department
had a busy year amidst the property world of
Dubai. Now under construction, the glass and
aluminium Park Towers Hotel & Residence will
be 70 storeys tall with 806 rooms per tower.
The design is based on the shape of the trunk
of a palm tree.
Equally important for the group is the housing
development at Al Majan for staff. Four of the
five blocks have been started with a total of 829
units consisting of one, two and three-bedroom
apartments built in the New York Art Deco
style. Each block will have a gymnasium and
swimming pool on the first floor.
Procurement & Logistics
Procurement and Logistics (P&L) is committed
to sourcing goods and services globally to
provide the best value, highest quality and
lowest total cost of ownership. Whilst the
23
Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Executive
Vice President, Chairman’s Office,
Facilities/Projects Management
and Procurement & Logistics
“Green flights” include special
washing of aircraft