Most of Emirates Airline's passengers to Erbil originate from the Middle East, North America and Europe, from where they transit via Dubai to connect to Iraq. Krisztian Bocsi / Bloomberg News
Most of Emirates Airline's passengers to Erbil originate from the Middle East, North America and Europe, from where they transit via Dubai to connect to Iraq. Krisztian Bocsi / Bloomberg News

Emirates to double its flights to Kurdish capital Erbil



Emirates Airline, which this month resumed services to Erbil, plans to double its weekly flights on the route from December 4 and carry 2,000 passengers a week.

In August Emirates suspended operations to the capital of the Kurdish region because of ISIL’s rapid advance in Iraq.

“We suspended our flights to Erbil in August due to increased security concerns,” said Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president commercial operations centre at Emirates. “We have been closely monitoring the situation in Iraq, and after a detailed review of all operational factors ... we decided to resume our services on November 16.”

Like other UAE airlines, Emirates suspended its operations to Erbil after the ISIL fighters got within kilometres of the Kurdish city, causing thousands of people to flee in panic. Later, as the US-led forces stopped the progress of ISIL in Iraq, the Kurdish army, better known as the Peshmerga, regained power over key areas near Erbil. However, ISIL still controls Mosul, which is only about 90 kilometres away.

Despite the situation nearby, Emirates is bullish on Erbil.

Asked if demand is there given the security concerns, Mr Al Mualla said: “We can tell you that the response so far has been positive since we resumed flights [to Erbil]. The inbound and outbound booking levels look healthy at the moment, and the rest of the year is promising.”

The airline said that its passengers on the flights are mainly corporate customers.

Emirates added that most of its passengers to Erbil originate from the Middle East, North America and Europe, from where they transit via Dubai to connect to Iraq.

Meanwhile, Emirates Skycargo, the freight arm, has also resumed its three weekly flights between the two cities.

selgazzar@thenational.ae

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.

Joker: Folie a Deux

Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson

Director: Todd Phillips 

Rating: 2/5

The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
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Why your domicile status is important

Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.

Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born. 

UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.

A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.

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Name: ARDH Collective
Based: Dubai
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Sector: Sustainability
Total funding: Self funded
Number of employees: 4
The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

The Greatest Royal Rumble card as it stands

50-man Royal Rumble - names entered so far include Braun Strowman, Daniel Bryan, Kurt Angle, Big Show, Kane, Chris Jericho, The New Day and Elias

Universal Championship Brock Lesnar (champion) v Roman Reigns in a steel cage match

WWE World Heavyweight ChampionshipAJ Styles (champion) v Shinsuke Nakamura

Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (champion) v The Miz v Finn Balor v Samoa Joe

United States Championship Jeff Hardy (champion) v Jinder Mahal

SmackDown Tag Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers (champions) v The Usos

Raw Tag Team Championship (currently vacant) Cesaro and Sheamus v Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt

Casket match The Undertaker v Chris Jericho

Singles match John Cena v Triple H

Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander v tba

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ADCC AFC Women’s Champions League Group A fixtures

October 3: v Wuhan Jiangda Women’s FC
October 6: v Hyundai Steel Red Angels Women’s FC
October 9: v Sabah FA

Moon Music

Artist: Coldplay

Label: Parlophone/Atlantic

Number of tracks: 10

Rating: 3/5

Electric scooters: some rules to remember
  • Riders must be 14-years-old or over
  • Wear a protective helmet
  • Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
  • Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
  • Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
  • Do not drive outside designated lanes
Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

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Scorebox

Dubai Hurricanes 31 Dubai Sports City Eagles 22

Hurricanes

Tries: Finck, Powell, Jordan, Roderick, Heathcote

Cons: Tredray 2, Powell

Eagles

Tries: O’Driscoll 2, Ives

Cons: Carey 2

Pens: Carey

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