Emirates to fly daily to Houston
Emirates airline has announced that it will offer daily flights to Houston beginning Feb. 1, reported Gulf News. The airling had recently announced three-days-a-week service to the American city, and it popular among both business and leisure travelers, according to Gaith Al Gaith, Emirates executive vice-president for commercial operations worldwide. Shippers in the oil and gas industry account for over 70% of the service's cargo. The operation is currently handling about 16 tonnes of cargo out of Houston and about 10 tonnes into the American gateway.

RAK airport expansion underway
The airport at Ras Al Khaimah is undergoing a regeneration programme to increase the number of annual passengers and planes it can handle every year. The emirate’s airport can currently cope with one million passengers a year and this will be increased by 500,000, Michelle Soliman CEO of RAK Airport told delegates at the MEED Ras Al Khaimah conference.

Emirates executives voice concern about IPO
Emirates executives are concerned about the possible sale of shares in Emirates, reported Bloomberg. Vice Chairman Maurice Flanagan said he was 'frightened' about anything that might interfere with the 'smooth way we do business'. CEO Tim Clark said 'there aren't many good reasons' for the IPO, as the airline 'does not need the cash'.

Emirates adds massage chairs to lounges
Emirates Airline’s passengers will now be able to relax in new massage chairs being installed in its lounges across the world, reported Khaleej Times. OSIM International Ltd has confirmed a collaboration with Emirates to provide massage chairs for its airport lounges around the world.

GMG to launch daily Dubai-Dhaka flights
GMG Airlines, Bangladesh's largest private carrier, plans to launch daily flights from Dubai to Dhaka beginning February 1, reported Gulf News. Shahab Sattar, managing director of GMG, said the airline would add a second B747 to the fleet on April 1 to spearhead its Gulf operations. He said the airline is also looking to add flights to Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Doha, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, before starting services to European destinations.

Etihad to fly daily to Dublin
Etihad Airways will boost flights from Abu Dhabi to Dublin on March 30, 2008, moving from six flights a week to a daily service. Etihad launched its Dublin route in July 2007, initially with four services a week increasing to six in December. More than 44,000 passengers have flown on the Abu Dhabi-Dublin route since its launch with an average seat factor of more than 80% seat with 73% capacity in business class.