Qatar Airways' five 787 Dreamliners have been grounded for more than three months following problems with the lithium battery pack. Steve Parsons / PA
Qatar Airways' five 787 Dreamliners have been grounded for more than three months following problems with the lithium battery pack. Steve Parsons / PA

Dreamliner episode much ado about little



Qatar Airways plans to restart flying its Boeing 787 Dreamliners on May 15, with Flight QR 075 from Doha to London Heathrow.

The airlines' five 787s have, like all 50 delivered so far, been grounded for more than three months following problems with the aircraft's lithium battery pack that led the US federal aviation administration (FAA) to withdraw its certificate of airworthiness on January 16.

Deliveries of the 787 ceased, and schedules of airlines at the front of the queue to receive the new aircraft were thrown into disarray. Qatar, the only Gulf carrier with 787s in its fleet, was forced to use a mix of Boeing 777s and Airbus A340s and A330s to carry Gulf travellers on its Heathrow service. The airline, which has 30 Dreamliners on firm order and options for 30 more, had to shelve plans to fly it on some other high-traffic routes.

Then, last week, the FAA finally approved Boeing's design fix for the suspect battery system. On Saturday, Ethiopian Airlines became the world's first carrier to resume flying the Dreamliner, carrying passengers to neighbouring Kenya, and the following day All Nippon Airways (ANA), the Japanese launch customer for the 787, flew its first Dreamliner.

Boeing devoted more than 200,000 man hours working on a solution to win that FAA approval and deployed 10 teams of Boeing mechanics to customers' engineering centres to immediately begin installing the new battery kits. The plane maker already has 890 orders for this revolutionary new aircraft, designed to be the world's most fuel-efficient airliner, up to 20 per cent cheaper to fly, and the world's first major airliner to be constructed using mainly composite materials. The emphasis now is on getting production rolling again, and start selling again, too.

The whole episode looks like it might have been just a storm in a teacup, and the airlines might be more concerned that the safety authorities overreacted.

As a result of their investigations, Boeing and the FAA have concluded that the two battery incidents posed no risk of a catastrophic failure to the 787.

The ANA 787, whose crew executed an emergency landing after the battery overheated, was in no danger, according to the FAA air transport certification manager, Ali Bahrami, and the Boeing vice president and 787 chief project engineer, Michael Sinnett. Both told a fact-finding hearing by the National Transportation Safety Board last week that the flight was never at risk of greater damage following the battery malfunction. No flames or smoke were reported and thermal damage was limited to the immediate area around the battery box.

The FAA and Boeing also downplayed the incident involving a parked Japan Airlines 787 in Boston. It was the only incident in which flames were detected, but the flames did not cause any damage to surrounding systems or the aircraft's structure. They were not the result of an exploding battery, but were generated by a short-circuit that formed in wires attached to the overheating battery box.

Both agencies were, however, concerned that two such incidents occurred within 50,000 flight hours of the 787 fleet, when the FAA special conditions to certify the aircraft's lithium-ion batteries required no more than one incident in 10 million flight hours.

Also, reputation-wise, far from breaking Boeing, all the signs are the market is right behind the US plane maker, and the airlines also seem content. Last week, Boeing posted quarterly earnings. Its earnings per share price hit US$1.73, a 24 per cent jump from the $1.40 for the same quarter last year. Although revenue had decreased to $18.89 billion, from $19.38bn a year ago, that was down to fewer deliveries of the 787 Dreamliner.

"Our first priority in the days ahead is to fully restore our customers' 787 fleets to service and resume production deliveries," said an upbeat Jim McNerney, Boeing's chairman and chief executive.

"We have worked around the clock to resolve the 787 battery issue. Our outlook for the year is positive, and our financial and delivery guidance is reaffirmed as we remain focused on the profitable ramp-up in commercial airplane production rates, disciplined execution of our development programme."

After the earnings announcement, Boeing's shares jumped by a further 3 per cent, and the International Airlines Group went even further in expressing its confidence by confirming options for 18 Dreamliners for one of its airlines, British Airways, in a deal worth $4bn at list prices, and promising to consider further orders for its other carrier, Iberia.

Etihad Airways, which has ordered 41 Dreamliners to be delivered between next year and 2019, also expressed confidence in the aircraft, describing it as "a world-class product".

Deliveries of the 787 should resume early next month.Boeing increased production of the 787 during the grounding to seven per month. It is now aiming for 10 per month by the end of the year, and says it could grow beyond that.

Boeing appears to have survived the battery episode apparently without losing a single 787 order or customer. So far only Qatar Airways has hinted at legal action but made no further move, and although not contractually obliged to compensate airlines for schedule disruptions and delivery delays caused by the groundings, Mr McNerney says Boeing will use a "variety of ways" to keep the airlines sweet.

However, not all is sweet for the project, according to the UBS analyst David Strauss, who has been following the 787. He is predicting the grounding could cost Boeing an estimated $6bn this year, and that is on top of Boeing already losing money on every plane it sells.

In a research note last month, he predicted that the Dreamliner programme will cost Boeing a further $4bn to $5bn a year through next year, and that the manufacturer will not turn a profit on the aircraft until 2021. Mr Strauss estimated the 787, which has a list price of $207 million, cost Boeing $232m each to make.

The Dreamliner has been costing Boeing money since the first planes were delivered in 2011, according to the Seattle Times. Boeing's hometown newspaper estimated the company had spent $32bn on the Dreamliner. "Profitability for the plane won't come before well into the 2020s, if ever," the paper said.

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

Thank You for Banking with Us

Director: Laila Abbas

Starring: Yasmine Al Massri, Clara Khoury, Kamel El Basha, Ashraf Barhoum

Rating: 4/5

Credit Score explained

What is a credit score?

In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.

Why is it important?

Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.

How is it calculated?

The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.

How can I improve my score?

By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.

How do I know if my score is low or high?

By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.

How much does it cost?

A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.

COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Jigra
Director: Vasan Bala
Starring: Alia Bhatt, Vedang Raina, Manoj Pahwa, Harsh Singh
Rated: 3.5/5
RACE CARD

5pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Purebred Arabian Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (Turf) 1,600m
5.30pm: Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak Cup Conditions (PA); Dh 200,000 (T) 1,600m
6pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Cup Listed (TB); Dh 380,000 (T) 1,600m
6.30pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Group 3 (PA); Dh 500,000 (T) 1,600m
7pm: Sheikh Sultan bin Zayed Al Nahyan National Day Jewel Crown Group 1 (PA); Dh 5,000,000 (T) 2,200m
7.30pm: Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan Racing Festival Handicap (PA); Dh 150,000 (T) 1,400m
8pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 (T); 1,400m

BORDERLANDS

Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis

Director: Eli Roth

Rating: 0/5

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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match info

Union Berlin 0

Bayern Munich 1 (Lewandowski 40' pen, Pavard 80')

Man of the Match: Benjamin Pavard (Bayern Munich)

The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting 

2. Prayer 

3. Hajj 

4. Shahada 

5. Zakat 

Day 1, Dubai Test: At a glance

Moment of the day Sadeera Samarawickrama set pulses racing with his strokeplay on his introduction to Test cricket. It reached a feverish peak when he stepped down the wicket and launched Yasir Shah, who many regard as the world’s leading spinner, back over his head for six. No matter that he was out soon after: it felt as though the future had arrived.

Stat of the day - 5 The last time Sri Lanka played a Test in Dubai – they won here in 2013 – they had four players in their XI who were known as wicketkeepers. This time they have gone one better. Each of Dinesh Chandimal, Kaushal Silva, Samarawickrama, Kusal Mendis, and Niroshan Dickwella – the nominated gloveman here – can keep wicket.

The verdict Sri Lanka want to make history by becoming the first team to beat Pakistan in a full Test series in the UAE. They could not have made a better start, first by winning the toss, then by scoring freely on an easy-paced pitch. The fact Yasir Shah found some turn on Day 1, too, will have interested their own spin bowlers.

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The Library: A Catalogue of Wonders
Stuart Kells, Counterpoint Press

Sreesanth's India bowling career

Tests 27, Wickets 87, Average 37.59, Best 5-40

ODIs 53, Wickets 75, Average 33.44, Best 6-55

T20Is 10, Wickets 7, Average 41.14, Best 2-12

Racecard

5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m

6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m

6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m

7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m

8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m

9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m

ACC 2019: The winners in full

Best Actress Maha Alemi, Sofia

Best Actor Mohamed Dhrif, Weldi  

Best Screenplay Meryem Benm’Barek, Sofia  

Best Documentary Of Fathers and Sons by Talal Derki

Best Film Yomeddine by Abu Bakr Shawky

Best Director Nadine Labaki, Capernaum
 

Four-day collections of TOH

Day             Indian Rs (Dh)        

Thursday    500.75 million (25.23m)

Friday         280.25m (14.12m)

Saturday     220.75m (11.21m)

Sunday       170.25m (8.58m)

Total            1.19bn (59.15m)

(Figures in millions, approximate)

Pari

Produced by: Clean Slate Films (Anushka Sharma, Karnesh Sharma) & KriArj Entertainment

Director: Prosit Roy

Starring: Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chattopadhyay, Ritabhari Chakraborty, Rajat Kapoor, Mansi Multani

Three stars

Sustainable Development Goals

1. End poverty in all its forms everywhere

2. End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture

3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

5. Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

6. Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

7. Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

8. Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

9. Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and foster innovation

10. Reduce inequality  within and among countries

11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

12. Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its effects

14. Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

15. Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

17. Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the global partnership for sustainable development

If you go…

Emirates launched a new daily service to Mexico City this week, flying via Barcelona from Dh3,995.

Emirati citizens are among 67 nationalities who do not require a visa to Mexico. Entry is granted on arrival for stays of up to 180 days. 

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.

Financial considerations before buying a property

Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.

“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says. 

Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.

Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier. 

Sri Lanka squad

Dinesh Chandimal, Dimuth Karunaratne, Kaushal Silva, Kusal Mendis, Angelo Mathews, Lahiru Thirimanne, Niroshan Dickwella, Sadeera Samarawickrama, Rangana Herath, Suranga Lakmal, Nuwan Pradeep, Lakshan Sandakan, Vishwa Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Jeffrey Vandersay, Milinda Siriwardana, Roshen Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Charith Asalanka, Shaminda Eranga and Dhammika Prasad.

Nepotism is the name of the game

Salman Khan’s father, Salim Khan, is one of Bollywood’s most legendary screenwriters. Through his partnership with co-writer Javed Akhtar, Salim is credited with having paved the path for the Indian film industry’s blockbuster format in the 1970s. Something his son now rules the roost of. More importantly, the Salim-Javed duo also created the persona of the “angry young man” for Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan in the 1970s, reflecting the angst of the average Indian. In choosing to be the ordinary man’s “hero” as opposed to a thespian in new Bollywood, Salman Khan remains tightly linked to his father’s oeuvre. Thanks dad. 

Indoor Cricket World Cup - Sept 16-20, Insportz, Dubai

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Pakistan Super League

Previous winners

2016 Islamabad United

2017 Peshawar Zalmi

2018 Islamabad United

2019 Quetta Gladiators

 

Most runs Kamran Akmal – 1,286

Most wickets Wahab Riaz –65

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Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5