Regaining altitude

Regaining altitude

The region’s aviation sector is showing signs that it just might be getting its second wind...or it could all just be hot air.

March 21, 2011 3:35 by Precious de Leon

Kipp, yesterday, talked about Sharjah potentially overtaking Dubai in tourism, where we also pointed out that tourism, trade and services are leading industry growth.

Aviation, conversely, seems to be showing gradual signs of life after some recent lags to its progress, including the closure of Wataniya Airways in the last week “due to financial difficulties.”

Qatar Airways, for example, is suping up its upcoming fleet of Airbus A380s with yet undisclosed features in their first class cabins, as reported across several publications in the region. It will have to best some features already installed in their competitors’ double-decker versions, including showers, spas and flatbeds.

The carrier joins the ranks of A380 owners Qantas, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Air France and Lufthansa.

Hard to believe that this is the same airline that said it will be focusing only on its business and economy cabins across its other fleet due to the economic downturn. According to a report on The National, the A380 will be the only model in Qatar Airways that will have a first class cabin—staking a claim to the uber-rich that are just too wealthy to get affected by the downturn? Maybe.

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Tags: airlines, aviation, carriers, emirates, etihad, Qatar airways