The recent visit by Emirates Airline's Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, to Moscow generated a vote of confidence in the airline and in Dubai among top Russian official circles.
The Russian Transport Minister, Sergei Frank, declared Emirates' aircraft order worth $19 billion, the largest in civil aviation history, had brought back confidence to the air travel industry, shattered as it had been by the conflict in Iraq and the SARS crisis.
The Minister made his remarks when he met Sheikh Ahmed, who was in Moscow on the inaugural trip to celebrate Emirates' launch of five weekly flights between Dubai and the capital city. Frank revealed plans to send an official delegation to encourage UAE businessmen and government officials to use Russian transport lines from Dubai, through Iran, the Caspian Sea and Russia, to European countries as a viable alternative that offers highly competitive fares. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
