Saudia carries 13.3% more passengers with 58 new planes

Saudi Arabian Airlines, the national carrier of the world's largest oil producer, carried 13.3 percent more passengers last year as the airline's fleet increased.

Saudia carried 24m passengers in 2012, 2.85m more than the previous year, with more passengers travelling domestically within the kingdom than on the operator's international routes, Arab News reported, citing the airline's director general Khaled Al-Molhem.

The airline added extra capacity after receiving 58 new Airbus SAS aircraft (A320, A321, and A330) and Boeing's wide body 777-300ER during the year, helping increase its number of seats and flight frequencies, the newspaper reported, citing Molhem.

The carrier operated a record 171,341 flights in 2012, or 8 percent more than 158,449 flights in 2011.

The state-owned carrier competes with budget airline nasair, which has been operating since 2007 and is 37 percent owned by Prince Alwaleed bin Talal's Kingdom Holding. In 2010, Sama Airlines, another budget carrier that also operated in Saudi Arabia, suspended operations after amassing over US$300m in losses.

Saudi Arabia, which has the Arab's world's largest economy and seeks to open up its aviation market, announced in December that Qatar Airways and Bahrain's national carrier Gulf Air had secured licenses to operate foreign and local flights within the kingdom. 

A key criticism in Saudi Arabia has been that the fuel subsidy for national carrier Saudi Arabian and a cap on domestic fares has disadvantaged competitors. The kingdom, which has a population of about 27m people, operates four international and six domestic airports.

Emaar to redeem $237m convertible bond on Feb 6

(AFP/Getty Images)

Dubai's Emaar Properties will redeem the outstanding amount of its $500 million convertible bond issue on February 6, the developer said in a bourse filing on Monday.

Paper worth $237.5 million was still outstanding following an earlier conversion of the bonds into stock late last year. Board members of Emaar had approved conversion of the instrument in December.

The conversion price for the bond would be 4.38 dirhams per share, significantly below its closing share price of 7.98 dirhams on January 5, it said in a statement to the Luxembourg stock exchange, where the bond is listed.

Shares of Emaar climbed 103.7 percent last year, helped by returning confidence in Dubai's real estate sector and the wider economy following a local property market crash and huge debt problems at state-linked firms at the end of the last decade.

Emaar, Dubai's largest property firm, announced a series of new projects in 2013 as property prices rose by around 22 percent. They had slumped by more than 50 percent from their 2008 peak in the wake of the crash.

The convertible bond was originally sold in 2010 in a rare example of the instrument being issued by a Gulf Arab company.

The last date for bondholders to exercise the conversion of the notes was set at January 22, the statement added.

29 passengers hurt after Saudia plane crash lands

(Photo for illustrative purposes only)

Twenty nine people were injured when a Saudi Arabian Airlines (Saudia) Boeing aircraft made an emergency landing at Madinah airport in the west of the country early on Sunday, the General Authority of Civil Aviation said.

It said 18 of the injured were treated at the airport while 11 were taken to hospital. A spokesman for Saudi Arabian Airlines, who did not give his name, said three people were seriously injured.

The flight, arriving from Mashhad in Iran before dawn, was carrying 315 passengers and suffered a technical malfunction, the authority said. It said the pilot had reported a problem with a rear wheel.

A witness at Madinah airport, speaking anonymously because he was not authorised to talk to media, said the plane landed after making two unsuccessful attempts.

The Saudia spokesman said the plane was leased from another company.

"Boeing is aware of reports of the accident and is gathering more information," the company said.

Photographs and video footage posted online showed the plane on the runway with damage to its right wing. The Saudia spokesman verified the authenticity of the images.

State-owned Saudia is the national carrier of Saudi Arabia. It is in the process of splitting into different units that will eventually be partly privatised.

Emaar set to launch sales at new Dubai development

Emaar Properties on Monday launched the newest addition to its Arabian Ranches extension in Dubai.

Lila will feature 219 villas in five different types, ranging from three to five-bedrooms, each with private plots for gardens and outdoor decks.

Emaar said in a statement that the launch of Lila, a family-centred community marked by green neighbourhoods, walkways and cycling paths, followed the successful response to other recent additions to Arabian Ranches including CASA, Palma and Rosa.

Emaar will launch simultaneous sales for Lila in Dubai and Abu Dhabi on January 11, with registration for potential investors to start on January 8, at 10am, on www.emaar.ae.

It added that the new development will offer residents a range of leisure, retail and lifestyle offerings including the Residents’ Club which will feature a gymnasium for men and women, geometric pool, an indoor running track, beauty salon and spa.

Promoting outdoor sports, Lila will also include several parks with children’s play areas, squash and tennis courts, and a football pitch. Landscaped gardens, barbecue pits and a standalone gourmet restaurant add to the quality of life, the statement added.

Ahmad Al Matrooshi, managing director, Emaar Properties, said: “The Arabian Ranches community has become the benchmark in family lifestyle, by promoting aesthetics inspired from some of the most renowned architectural styles in the world.

"The addition of Lila to the Arabian Ranches extension underlines a robust demand for villas in gated communities, especially with Dubai serving as a safe haven for regional and international investors.

"Having set a distinct benchmark in family-oriented community developments, Emaar offers customers a truly serene ambience at Lila, where the focus is on the wellness of the residents by providing access to an array of outdoor and indoor activities.”

He said Lila residents will also have access to specialty dining options, a medical clinic, daycare centre, schools and a grocery store. 

Emaar’s portfolio in Dubai includes Downtown Dubai, the flagship 500-acre development.

Other fully-established residential communities of Emaar include Dubai Marina and Emirates Living – a cluster of residential projects including The Views, The Springs, The Lakes, Emirates Hills, Hattan Villas, The Meadows, and The Greens. Several other developments are being planned by Emaar in Dubai including the premier The Opera District in Downtown Dubai.

Top 8: Major transfers - should they happen?

Top 8: Major transfers - should they happen?

Juan Mata to PSG :

The future of the Spanish ace is certainly in serious doubt and he needs to rescue his hopes of starring in the World Cup this summer.

A move for Mata is a must.


Marco Reus to Manchester United :

A move to Manchester United has been rumoured, but with Dortmund still competing in the Champions League and Reus continuing to shine, he shouldn't move to the Theatre of Dreams.


Mario Balotelli to Chelsea :

with Chelsea in desperate need of a new striker and Milan struggling in Serie A, Balotelli should opt to join his former manager at Stamford Bridge.

At 23-years-old, perhaps Balotelli can finally settle down and shine for the Blues.


Javier Hernandez to Tottenham :

the Mexican ace is never going to become the No.1 or even No.2 striker at the Theatre of Dreams.

Meanwhile if he should move to Tottenham, he can become a fans' favourite and score goals for fun.


Xabi Alonso to Chelsea :

Alonso would certainly do a job at Stamford Bridge, but with the likes of Frank Lampard, Ramires, John Obi Mikel and Co. competing for places, he should look elsewhere or stay at the Bernabeu.


Koke to Manchester United :

Manchester United are desperate for a midfielder and despite being a youngster, Koke could further improve at the Theatre of Dreams.


Erik Lamela to Inter Milan :

The winger has struggled since arriving in north London and things really haven't taken off for him.

However, he should stick with it at White Hart Lane and could soon turn things around under Tim Sherwood.


Dimitar Berbatov to Arsenal :

The Gunners are crying out for another centre-forward, but they shouldn't be targeting Berbatov. The forward should stay away from sitting on the bench at north London and instead focus on keeping Fulham in the Premier League.

Wenger fears impact of Walcott absence

Theo Walcott was carried off on a stretcher after catching his studs in the turf while attempting a challenge. PHOTO: AFP

LONDON: Arsene Wenger admits the potential loss of Theo Walcott to a knee injury or through suspension would be a big problem for Arsenal.

Lone front man Walcott was carried off on a stretcher in the closing stages of the Gunners’ 2-0 FA Cup victory over Tottenham after catching his studs in the turf while attempting a challenge on Danny Rose.

Walcott also waits to see if he will face any Football Association (FA) action after making a ‘2-0’ gesture which so incensed the travelling Spurs support that they threw coins and bottles at the player as he departed the Emirates pitch.

“We don’t know yet if it is a stretched ligament or just a kick. He (Theo) got two kicks on his knee,” said Arsenal boss Wenger.

“We still had (Lukas) Podolski and (Mesut) Ozil on the bench. (Olivier) Giroud was sick – he was not injured. He was available if he wasn’t sick so he should be available for the next game.

“Of course, if we lose Theo Walcott for a longer period then it is a bigger problem. I am waiting to see now who walks out there and knocks at the door, waiting to come in.”

Of more immediate concern for Wenger’s Arsenal will be if Walcott receives any form of suspension for making a ‘2-0’ salute which Tottenham manager Tim Sherwood described as ‘banter’.

Wenger defended his player and added: “It was a reaction which did not offend anybody. I have seen the pictures of it after the game. It does not even look aggressive, it’s just smiley

Zach Johnson grabs lead in Hawaii

Zach, a 10-time winner on the US PGA Tour, has a 13-under 133 total at the Kapalua Resort course. PHOTO: AFP/FILE

HONOLULU: Former Masters champion Zach Johnson seized a three-shot lead after firing a seven-under 66 in the second round of the PGA Tour’s Tournament of Champions on Saturday.

“I don’t know how many years I’ve been here,” he said. “This is seven or eight probably and I’ve had maybe one or two decent finishes.

“The more I get my feet here walking these grounds, I think the more comfortable I become.”

Zach, a 10-time winner on the US PGA Tour, has a 13-under 133 total at the Kapalua Resort course.

Defending champion Dustin Johnson also shot 66 to reach 10-under and grab a share of second place with Jordan Spieth (70) and Matt Kuchar (68).

Dustin drove his tee shot on the par-three eighth to within six feet and then made birdie to move into the lead at eight-under.

Zach drained a putt from 23 feet for his third straight birdie at the eighth to claim the outright lead at 10-under.