Dar es Salam to host this year’s Lohana festival in December

Dar es Salaam  Lohana Mahajan Mandal under the chairmanship of Parag Somaiya is all set to host the 32nd Lohana sports and cultural festival this Christmas holiday. 
According to Subhash Modi the festival public relations convener, the festival executive management committee headed by secretary general  Manish Rughani will see Sachin Dawda, Amit Modi, Prahlad Nathwani, Situ Ramji, Vinay Dawda, Nikitsha Karia, Poojan Kanabar, Chandulal Thakrar, Rameshbhai Karia, Nayan Chotai, Jayesh Raja, Hemal Sachdev, Tilak Rupal and Dr. Lalseta as assistants. Seven centers Mombasa, Nairobi, Nakuru, Kisumu, Kampala, Mwanza and Dar es Salaam are expected to participate in this festival which is the largest Lohana sporting gathering.  The festival was started in Kisumu during the Easter Holidays of 1974. D.P. Mandavia, Subhash Modi and Jayantbhai Badiani are the founder members of the festival. The last festival was hosted by Nairobi Lohana Youth League in Nairobi  under the chairmanship of Reshma Raikundalia, Lohana Mahajan chairman Kaushikbhai Manek and secretary general, Kamal Sanghani in 2006. The featured sports disciplines are  badminton, cricket, table tennis, darts, volleyball, golf, marathon, throwball, soccer, and swimming. Dar Salaam Mahajan are hosting the pre-festival meeting over this week end.

Fare hike shock awaits UAE travelers to New Delhi

Dubai All UAE flights to New Delhi are in for a steep fare hike following a 346 per cent increase in airport charges and a user development fee (UDF) that will be levied on passengers by the Indian capital's airport regulator, Airports Economic Regulatory Authority of India starting May 15.

The approximate increase in ticket prices, according to the country's airport operator, is estimated to be around Rs290 (Dh20) in the domestic sector and Rs580 in the international sector.

The current economy return fares flights from Dubai to Delhi range from Dh1,500 to Dh2,000 depending on the airline. An industry expert told Gulf News last night that the increase could result in fares between the UAE and Delhi rising by as much as 15 per cent. Tour operators in Dubai and Sharjah expect fares to go up as early as next month.

An Emirates spokesperson told Gulf News: "Emirates is concerned by the proposed increase in airport changes at Delhi airport. We are currently in discussions with the relevant authority and have no further comment at this time."An official of an Indian airline that operates from Dubai said: "Taxation in India is over the top. Already, 50-56 per cent of airline costs go into taxation and it can be assumed that any additional burden will be passed on to passengers."

Air Nigeria to commence flights to Johannesburg and London in May

Air Nigeria will on May 16 commence scheduled direct flights from Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos to London Gatwick with affordable fares for a return economy ticket, while, it will also on May 17, commence flights to Johannesburg (O.R. Tambo International Airport), South Africa, using a modern Airbus A330-200 aircraft to service both routes. 

The development is coming just as Air Nigeria is currently implementing a growth phase strategy initiated by Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim (OFR) who acquired the airline two years ago. The recommencement of the long-haul flights mark a historic moment for Nigerian aviation and in the West African sub-region as passengers now have a wider array of choice and more than ever before, can conveniently connect onwards to London and Johannesburg and points beyond.

Commenting on the commencement of both services, Mr. Kinfe Kahssaye, Chief Executive Officer of Air Nigeria said: “After the successful turn-around of the airline over the last two years, the airline is now well positioned to compete favourably on the international market”.

He further noted that the recommencement of the long-haul flights confirms Air Nigeria’s commitment to boost business and tourism travels through regular growth and innovation that will meet the aspirations of the travelling publics. Passengers will have distinctive onboard experience on the flights as indigenous meals and variety of movies will be offered as the airline is committed to delivering quality services at an affordable price.

Mr. Kahssaye also announced that the Board of Directors has appointed Mr. Richard Aisuebeogun as Executive Director, International Operation. Mr. Aisuebeogun, an ACI/ICAO International Airport Professional (IAP) brings a wealth of excellent leadership qualities and competence to drive the international arm of the airline in line with the overall business objectives.