Bombardier, the debt-burdened Canadian plane maker in the middle of a turnaround plan, expects to see a rise in private jet sales in the Middle East early next year as oil prices recover from three-year lows.
The company is "very optimistic" about business in 2019 in the regional market, where it has received "great" feedback about its new Global 7500 business jet, Khader Mattar, Bombardier's vice president of sales for the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, told The National. Bombardier has "a lot of orders" for the plane from the region with a delivery to be made soon.
"With oil prices going up this year, I'd imagine by the first or second quarter we'll see a turnaround and more activity in this market," Mr Mattar said.
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Read more:
Bombardier sees shift to ‘growth cycle’ on new luxury jet
Exclusive: Dassault eyes business jet opportunities in Saudi Arabia amid China slowdown
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The Global 7500, Bombardier's next big revenue generator, will enter service on December 20. Bombardier's biggest aircraft programme, CSeries commercial jets, is now controlled by Toulouse-based Airbus which renamed the jet family the A220. The Canadian company is shifting its focus to trains and private jets.
The new Global 7500's large cabin size, four living areas and range would be its biggest sales pitch to customers in the Middle East, a region that favours wide-body jets, Mr Mattar said.
As of the third quarter, Bombardier had about 100 aircraft in service, representing 26 per cent of the market share in the Middle East, excluding very light jets and large corporate airliners, the categories in which it does not compete, it said in its 2018-2027 regional outlook.
The Middle East is forecast to receive 275 deliveries valued at $11 billion (Dh40.4bn) from private jet makers over the next decade and wide-body aircraft will account for 45 per cent of those deliveries, according to Bombardier's market forecast.
The Middle East is a “very important” market for Bombardier, where Saudi Arabia leads the company’s private jet sales in the region, Mr Mattar said.
Bombardier’s most popular jets in the Middle East include the Challenger 650 and the Global 6000 and it sees growth prospects in long-range aircraft in the regional market.
If you go
Where to stay: Courtyard by Marriott Titusville Kennedy Space Centre has unparalleled views of the Indian River. Alligators can be spotted from hotel room balconies, as can several rocket launch sites. The hotel also boasts cool space-themed decor.
When to go: Florida is best experienced during the winter months, from November to May, before the humidity kicks in.
How to get there: Emirates currently flies from Dubai to Orlando five times a week.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Nayanthara: Beyond The Fairy Tale
Starring: Nayanthara, Vignesh Shivan, Radhika Sarathkumar, Nagarjuna Akkineni
Director: Amith Krishnan
Rating: 3.5/5
Name: Peter Dicce
Title: Assistant dean of students and director of athletics
Favourite sport: soccer
Favourite team: Bayern Munich
Favourite player: Franz Beckenbauer
Favourite activity in Abu Dhabi: scuba diving in the Northern Emirates
MATCH INFO
Euro 2020 qualifier
Croatia v Hungary, Thursday, 10.45pm, UAE
TV: Match on BeIN Sports
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
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Know your camel milk:
Flavour: Similar to goat’s milk, although less pungent. Vaguely sweet with a subtle, salty aftertaste.
Texture: Smooth and creamy, with a slightly thinner consistency than cow’s milk.
Use it: In your morning coffee, to add flavour to homemade ice cream and milk-heavy desserts, smoothies, spiced camel-milk hot chocolate.
Goes well with: chocolate and caramel, saffron, cardamom and cloves. Also works well with honey and dates.
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Electoral College Victory
Trump has so far secured 295 Electoral College votes, according to the Associated Press, exceeding the 270 needed to win. Only Nevada and Arizona remain to be called, and both swing states are leaning Republican. Trump swept all five remaining swing states, North Carolina, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin, sealing his path to victory and giving him a strong mandate.
Popular Vote Tally
The count is ongoing, but Trump currently leads with nearly 51 per cent of the popular vote to Harris’s 47.6 per cent. Trump has over 72.2 million votes, while Harris trails with approximately 67.4 million.
First Person
Richard Flanagan
Chatto & Windus
