UAE: Emirates A380 One-off Flight Lands In Islamabad

Emirates’ special one-off A380 Dubai-Islamabad flight takes off from Dubai on Sunday morning with celebrities, officials and journalists on board.

The airline’s iconic double-decker will make its inaugural arrival in Islamabad on a special flight EK2524/EK2525. It will be the first time that an A380 lands in Pakistan.

Emirates’ special one-off A380 flight landed in Islamabad on Sunday with celebrities, officials, diplomats and journalists on board.

Arrival of the airline’s iconic double-decker special flight EK2524/EK2525 to Islamabad also made history in Pakistan’s aviation as it was the first A380 ever landed in Pakistan.

The special flight, was joined by a VIP delegation led by Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Centre and Adil Al Ghaith, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, GMEI (Gulf, Middle East and Iran).

They were joined by His Excellency Hamad Obaid Ibrahim Salem Al Zaabi, the UAE Ambassador to Pakistan and His Excellency Moazzam Ahmad Khan, Pakistan Ambassador to the UAE.

Also travelling on the flight as special guests were two Pakistani members of Emirates’ first ever team, Captain Fazle Ghani, the airline’s first Chief Pilot and Team Lead for Inaugural Operations and Captain Ejaz ul Haq, one of the pilots who operated the first ever Emirates flights from Dubai 33 years ago.

Two Emirates alumni pilots including Captain Ejazul Haq and Captain Fazle Ghani who operated the first ever Emirates flight from Dubai to Karachi on October 35, 1985 were also amongst the guests on board. Captain Ejazul Haq had operated the second Emirates flight from Dubai to Mumbai on the same day.

Though it was the one-off A380 flight between Dubai and Islamabad, the airline wants to make it a regular daily flight in future.

This is our special flight but we want to operate regular daily flight on A380 from Dubai to the new Islamabad airport which is fully equipped to receive the big aircraft, said Shaikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre, Emirates.

Speaking on board the A380, he said that negotiations with the authorities concerned in the Pakistan have already started in this regard. We are very hopeful that passengers on this sector would soon enjoy regular A380flights.

We came here to showcase our innovative products and will continue to work with authorities to realise our plans to increase capacity to all routes to Pakistan, he added.

The special A380 flight depart Dubai 8.15 am to arrive to arrive at the new plush Islamabad airport at 12.20 pm. The flight departed Islamabad at 1540hrs arriving in Dubai at 1745hrs on the same day.

Hamad Al Zaabi, UAE’s Ambassador to Pakistan who was also on board. It is a historical day for UAE and Pakistan. We operated the first flight to Pakistan and now brought the first A380 – the world’s largest aircraft – to Pakistan.

It reflects that we are building on our relations. We want to make it a daily flight and we are working on it.

Moazzam Ahmed Khan, Pakistan’s Ambassador to the UAE, who was amongst the special guests on board, said: It is a new chapter in the Pakistan-UAE relations.

Landing of the super jumbo in Pakistan would send positive message to business community and investors around the world that Pakistan is growing market.

He said that government of Pakistan is in discussion with the UAE authorities to finalise agreement to allow Emirates to operate A380 to Pakistan.

It is a win-win situation for both the countries. Emirates is very important to us as thousands of Pakistanis not only from UAE but from around the world use it to travel to and from Pakistan.

Speaking at the reception at Islamabad airport, Pakistan’s Aviation Minister General (retired) Naeem Khaled Lodhi said that it was a great day for Pakistan’s aviation history. “Now we have the airport which can receive all kind of aircraft and we will ask other countries as well to start flights to Islamabad.”

Regarding allowing Emirates’ A380 flights to Pakistan, he said that they were working on the plans keeping in interests of their national airlines. “We hope to reach the agreement soon,” he said.

Captian Fazle Ghani, 86, who operated the Emirates’ first flight to from Dubai to Karachi and Captain Ejazul Haq who operated the Emirates first flight from Dubai to Mumbai were especially honoured at the reception.

I am greatly honoured by the Emriates for remembering me, said Captain Ghani. He said he so proud to have the honour of operating Emirates’ first flight.

Captain Ejazul Haq who now lives in Islamabad said that he had served Emirates airline from 1987 to 2011. Emirates is always ahead of other airlines in future planning and adopting technology and equipment. I feel very proud to have worked for such a great airline, he said.

The Emirates A380 aircraft on this special one-off service is in a two-class configuration offering spacious seats in Economy Class and fully flat-bed seats in Business Class as well as Emirates’ popular Onboard Lounge.

Passengers in all classes enjoy free Wi-Fi to stay in touch with family and friends and Emirates’ multi-award winning ice inflight entertainment with up to 3,500 channels of movies, TV programmes, music and podcasts on the industry’s biggest personal screens in each class of travel.

Emirates and Pakistan have a shared history tracing back over 30 years when the airline’s flight landed in Karachi on 25 October 1985.

In the last three decades, Emirates has progressively expanded its operations and offering global connectivity and world-class services to Pakistan’s major cities including Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Peshawar, Sialkot and Multan.

Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme, offers its more than 400,000 Pakistani members’ exclusive privileges, including earning Skywards Miles when they fly on Emirates or partner airlines, or when they use the programme’s designated hotels, car rentals, financial, leisure and lifestyle partners.

Emirates currently has 104 A380s in service and 58 pending delivery, more than any airline globally. The airline also recently announced a US$ 16 billion (AED 58.7 billion) deal for 36 additional Airbus A380 aircraft.

There are about 400,000 Pakistani travellers who are part of the airline’s loyalty programme, the Emirates Skywards.

Shaikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre of Emirates, presented an Emirates aircraft model to Pakistan's minister and honoured the first Pakistani pilots of Emirates first flight to Pakistan in 1985: Captain Fazle Ghani and Captain Ejazul Haq.

The flight landed smoothly at 12:20pm (Pakistan time), with a round of applause and cheers from passengers. The flight gets a warm welcome at the new Islamabad International Airport as the first A380 plane to land there.

Anoushy Ashraf, a Pakistani social media influencer, said she is loving the "wonderful flight". "I hope this would turn into a regular daily flight," she said.

The A380 flight departs Dubai at 8am to arrive in Islamabad in 3 hours and 10 minutes. The flight will depart Islamabad at 3:40pm, and arrive in Dubai at 5:45pm on the same day.

Although the flight is a one-off, it is fully booked with commercial passengers, except for a small official delegation.

Captain Fazle Ghani, who operated the first Emirates flight to Pakistan in 1985, is on board as a special guest. He is now 86.

Among the guests on board is Captain Ejazul Haq, the second pilot to operate the first Emirates flight from Dubai to Mumbai on October 26, 1985.

Also on board are Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, Moazzam Ahmed Khan; Shaikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations Centre, and Raza Jafar, a prominent Pakistani businessman.

The airline said it wants to make this flight a regular daily service in the future.

“We are proud to bring our flagship A380 aircraft to Islamabad, and we look forward to showcasing our innovative products on-board this iconic aircraft with the signature Emirates service. While this is a special flight, we are very keen to launch a scheduled A380 service to Pakistan and will continue to work with authorities to realise these plans,” said Shaikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre of Emirates.

Shaikh Majid presents Emirates aircraft model to Pakistani minister

Shaikh Majid then honoured the first Pakistan pilots who operated the first Emirates flight from Dubai to Karachi, Captain Fazle Ghani abd captain Ejazul Haq.

Shaikh Majid then honours the first pakistan pilots who operated the first Emirates flight from Dubai to Karachi, Captain Fazle Ghani abd captain Ejazul Haq.

He says that he is greatly honored today. I am so happy that Emirates remembered me. I still cherish moments of Emirates first flight.

The Emirates A380 aircraft on this special one-off service is in a two-class configuration offering spacious seats in Economy Class and fully flat-bed seats in Business Class as well as Emirates' popular onboard lounge.


Tourism Observer

Worst Airports in the World 2015

Every year, SleepingInAirports conducts a survey asking travellers to rate their airport experiences based on the services and facilities available within the terminal, cleanliness, customer service, comfort and their overall airport experience. Looking worldwide, there are a lot of airports that didn't quite make the grade. Those that top our charts for worst airports in the world collected the most negative feedback from voters over the past year. These airports fall flat in terms of providing any kind of enjoyable overall airport experience. Instead, they're dirty, uncomfortable, unfriendly and lack the most basic of services and amenities. They elicit passionate critiques from those who visit them, and countless warnings for future travellers to avoid these places at all costs. That said, if you do find yourself at one of the following 10 terminals, bring a serious amount of patience because you'll most definitely need it!

Here are the Top 10 Worst Airports in the World based on overall airport experience as determined by voters in our 2015 Airport Survey:
1. Port Harcourt International Airport, Nigeria (PHC)

This has to be the most corrupt airport in the world. 'Bring money' as they say in PH. It's a standing joke. - a traveller

Ranked as the worst airport in Africa and one of the worst in the world, voters suggested Port Harcourt Airport should also win the title of most corrupt airport in the world. The terminal's unpleasant and unhelpful staff help to earn it this trifecta of atrocious awards. With virtually no seating, broken air-conditioning and a tent for an Arrivals Hall, it was a struggle for many voters to pass the minimum required amount of time here. The good news is that some areas of the terminal have been recently renovated, meaning you can expect actual walls, floors and windows. Though it is a far cry from reasonable, improvements are being made. See also Worst Airports in Africa.

2. Jeddah King Abdulaziz International Airport, Saudi Arabia (JED)

Immigration is a joke! Too few staff and when they are behind their desks they have no sense of urgency and will fiddle with their mobiles or chat to others. - a traveller

Jeddah's International Airport elicited fervent responses from voters who were annoyed by the chaotic, crowded, unclean airport, particularly within the Hajj terminal. From smoking in non-smoking areas to the bathroom odour wafting out into the lounges, few people sang praises after spending time here. Multi-hour immigration queues with distracted and absent officers further aggravated travellers. All in all, JED is decidedly un-sleepable and arguably un-visitable. A number of voters suggested booking layovers elsewhere – at all costs. Travellers can however take heart - the new Jeddah Airport is said to be 85% complete and scheduled to open mid-2016. Hardly soon enough by the sounds of it! Most travellers familiar with the current JED just hope that the new airport comes with new staff and customs/immigration officers.

3. Kathmandu Tribhuvan International Airport, Nepal (KTM)

I had purposely dehydrated myself, so I wouldn't have to use the restroom there - a traveller

Though Nepal's only international airport gathered ample criticism over the past year, it is important to remember that the country itself has been under considerable pressure. In March 2015, a Turkish Airlines flight overshot the runway and skidded off the tarmac, closing the runway for several days. More severely, in April 2015 a devastating earthquake hit the country. The airport struggled to repair their sole runway and restore a flight schedule amidst a national emergency in an already struggling nation. Given this, voters had understandably poor experiences at the airport, particularly within the domestic terminal. Said to resemble a bus station, the terminal is most remembered for the poor state of its restrooms. The good news is that KTM is currently re-building the much-loathed domestic terminal. Officially, the terminal was set to be completed by the end of 2013 but recent events have stalled the official opening. See also Worst Airports in Asia.

4. Tashkent International Airport, Uzbekistan (TAS)

This airport is one of Dante's circles of hell. The number one activity is waiting. - a traveller

Tashkent International Airport acts as the primary airport for Central Asia. In spite of a few recent upgrades to the departures area, the queues and crowds at TAS continue to be a frustrating experience. Though queues at security are to be expected, TAS boasts remarkable queues at all stages of the airport experience. Worsening the situation is that these queues are often chaotic-verging-on-aggressive, and lack any form of crowd control. Travellers should be prepared to quite literally defend their spot in the mob from pushy passengers. After security, there are chairs in climate-controlled rooms, but securing one is of course, another story.

5. Caracas Simón Bolívar International Airport, Venezuela (CCS)

I´ve been to many airports but this airport biggest chaos ever, no matter if you´re at the international or domestic airport.

According to voters in this year's survey, Caracas International Airport is chaotic, uncomfortable and dull. An absence of chairs and dirty bathrooms worsen the experience here – to say nothing of the low quality of food. Floor space is basically the only option for catching some shut eye during a layover, though the unsanitary conditions and nosey police officers will go out of their way to make this difficult. All said, the airport's main redeeming features are the free WiFi and its two private lounges. Splurging for a day pass at the Admirals or Premier Club certainly eases the pains of a visit here. See also Worst Airports in South America.

6. Port au Prince Toussaint Louverture International Airport, Haiti (PAP)

I was stranded here for 8 hours waiting in 95 degree and no air-conditioning. Locals were yelling and screaming about the wait.

What travellers remember from time spent at the Port au Prince airport is the sweltering heat, the lack of chairs and a number of untrustworthy staff. Peace of mind and comfort are decidedly absent here, as are basic bathroom supplies in the washrooms that are cleaned sporadically at best. The baggage porters also collect their fare share of complaints for being overly aggressive and demanding. If travelling through here, this year's voters strongly recommend keeping valuables and snacks with you. The good news is that renovations are said to be currently underway, giving a little bit of hope to the future of PAP.

7. Kabul Hamid Karzai International Airport, Afghanistan (KBL)

Kabul International Airport has NO Facility at all. Adding it will be an improvement.

Given the current political state of Afghanistan relative to other nations on this global list, we're reluctant to criticize Kabul's international airport too harshly. KBL's international terminal has undergone a number of renovations over the last decade, making it a little more friendly to travellers. The domestic terminal does however leave much to be desired. Voters complain about overall cleanliness, a lack of comfort and the accountability of staff – but again, given the violence that often affects the airport directly, we understand that there are more significant concerns. See also Worst Airports in Asia.

8. Ho Chi Minh City Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport, Vietnam (SGN)

The only way this airport can improve is to get rid of all the bribery, you have to pay just to get out of the airport.

Ho Chi Minh City Airport's rating has deteriorated in recent years thanks to allegations of corruption. Numerous survey respondents reported that customs officers ask for bribes in order to move through the process faster, and those that declined paying quickly faced problems or delays with their paperwork. Other complaints include poor Wi-Fi signals, dirty bathrooms and limited selection of restaurants. If visiting this airport, be sure to keep your valuables hidden and some small cash on hand – and consider filling up at the nearby Burger King before entering the terminal itself. See also Worst Airports in Asia.

9. Islamabad Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Pakistan (ISB)

Security Staff are rude mannered, will not respond to your queries like you are not there.
Ranked the world's “Worst Airport of 2014,” ISB has seen improvements in facilities and services over the past year. In December 2014 the airport's unofficial Twitter account made mention that the airport was working to improve the 'guest experience'. Since then they have upgraded the bathrooms, opened a new lounge and increased the number of check-in and immigration counters.

The airport has also been working away on a much anticipated and much needed new terminal, which is set to be open towards the end of 2016. Until then, the existing terminals are still in need of a good scrub, and crowd control continues to be a problem. Staff have a ways to go in terms of providing a welcoming experience to guests, and improvements might begin with cracking down on corruption.

10. Paris Beauvais-Tille International Airport outside Paris, France (BVA)

If the 7th Circle of Hell were a place on earth, it would be "Paris" Beauvais-Tillé.

By global standards, Paris Beauvais' airport could be considered an upgrade in comparison to other airports on this list. Located in what is plausibly a sparsely furnished converted factory with pre-fabricated “temporary” 10-year old extensions, BVA was voted this year to be the worst airport in Europe. Grievances from voters are detailed and far-reaching, but generally revolve around the absence of chairs, kind staff, sufficient toilets and hygienic standards.

Allegedly, there is Wi-Fi available at a cost to help ease your sorrows as you wait elbow-to-elbow for your flight; however, getting your hands on the password is apparently another mission in and of itself.