Etihad seeks EU payout for volcano ash cloud losses



Etihad Airways plans to seek compensation from EU authorities after the volcanic ash-induced flight ban over Europe cost the carrier more than US$30 million (Dh110.1m), says James Hogan, its chief executive. The Abu Dhabi carrier will join a list of airlines based outside the EU that will claim redress after the six-day flight ban, which caused airlines to lose more than $1.7bn, says the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

"If there is an opportunity for non-European airlines to claim we'll be doing so," Mr Hogan said. The crisis disrupted flights of more than 22,000 Etihad passengers and put the airline under huge pressure, he said. Etihad is aiming to reach break-even next year after investing heavily in new aircraft and luxury cabins over its first six years in operation. At issue is whether European authorities mishandled the crisis, which began on April 14 when a volcano in Iceland erupted, resulting in an ash cloud that drifted east and covered European skies for almost a week. Ash has been known to cause engine failure in aircraft.

To date, the EU has issued proposals to allow state help for European airlines, such as emergency loans and postponement of charges. Richard Hill, the chief operating officer for Etihad, said the IATA was compiling a list of airlines based outside the continent that should be included in any compensation scheme. "We are on the list so we we'll see what happens next," Mr Hill said. IATA, which represents more than 230 airlines and 93 per cent of all scheduled airline traffic, has campaigned for its members to receive financial assistance.

Mr Hogan stopped short of criticising the way European authorities handled the crisis, but urged them to learn from the US Federal Aviation Administration, which created fly-through corridors in previous ash events. * with Dow Jones @Email:igale@thenational.ae

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The specs: 2018 BMW R nineT Scrambler

Price, base / as tested Dh57,000

Engine 1,170cc air/oil-cooled flat twin four-stroke engine

Transmission Six-speed gearbox

Power 110hp) @ 7,750rpm

Torque 116Nm @ 6,000rpm

Fuel economy, combined 5.3L / 100km

The%20Color%20Purple
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Abu Dhabi GP Saturday schedule

12.30pm GP3 race (18 laps)

2pm Formula One final practice 

5pm Formula One qualifying

6.40pm Formula 2 race (31 laps)

Company%20profile
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COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
 
Started: 2020
 
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
 
Based: Dubai, UAE
 
Sector: Entertainment 
 
Number of staff: 210 
 
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Family reunited

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe was born and raised in Tehran and studied English literature before working as a translator in the relief effort for the Japanese International Co-operation Agency in 2003.

She moved to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies before moving to the World Health Organisation as a communications officer.

She came to the UK in 2007 after securing a scholarship at London Metropolitan University to study a master's in communication management and met her future husband through mutual friends a month later.

The couple were married in August 2009 in Winchester and their daughter was born in June 2014.

She was held in her native country a year later.

TRAP

Starring: Josh Hartnett, Saleka Shyamalan, Ariel Donaghue

Director: M Night Shyamalan

Rating: 3/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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The specs: 2017 Lotus Evora Sport 410

Price, base / as tested Dh395,000 / Dh420,000

Engine 3.5L V6

Transmission Six-speed manual

Power 410hp @ 7,000rpm

Torque 420Nm @ 3,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined 9.7L / 100km

Company%20Profile
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Brief scores:

Toss: Nepal, chose to field

UAE 153-6: Shaiman (59), Usman (30); Regmi 2-23

Nepal 132-7: Jora 53 not out; Zahoor 2-17

Result: UAE won by 21 runs

Series: UAE lead 1-0

Meydan racecard:

6.30pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 2 (PA) Group 1 | US$75,000 (Dirt) | 2,200 metres

7.05pm: UAE 1000 Guineas (TB) Listed | $250,000 (D) 1,600m

7.40pm: Meydan Classic Trial (TB) Conditions $100,000 (Turf) 1,400m

8.15pm: Al Shindagha Sprint (TB) Group 3 $200,000 (D) 1,200m

8.50pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) $175,000 (T) | 2,000m

10pm: Handicap (TB) $135,000 (T) 1,600m