Latest news with #AbuDhabi
Times
3 hours ago
- Business
- Times
This new plane feels like a private jet — without the price tag
The Airbus A320 family of aircraft — including the A318, A319, A320, and A321 — is the most successful in the world. These small short-haul workhorses, with a single aisle and two engines, fly in almost every continent. There are nearly 12,000 of them in the sky and if you've ever taken an easyJet flight, you'll have boarded one. Although the layout of these ubiquitous jets has not changed since the first plane took to 33,000ft in 1984, there has been some innovation. Since last year a handful of airlines has bought the A321LR (long range) and XLR (extra long range) types, which can fly for up to about 11 hours, a feat previously unthinkable for this narrow-bodied jet. The introduction of the LR and XLR types also means that premium airlines can offer passengers on smaller aircraft the wide-body experience, for example lie-flat beds and luxury amenities. But one carrier known for its posh planes wanted to take the opportunity a step further and 'introduce long-haul luxury to short-haul flights', and so Etihad has installed first-class suites on board — the only carrier to do so. I wanted to see if first class on board a plane beloved by budget airlines was as odd as it sounded. And last week I was granted special behind-the-scenes access to board the delivery flight of Etihad's new A321LR, from the Airbus factory in Hamburg to its base in Abu Dhabi, before it was rolled out to passengers. My first thought upon boarding the aircraft for the sevenish-hour flight (about the upper limit for the A321LR) was that it feels like a private aircraft — it's the only one configured with two first-class suites. The suites, 1A and 1F, have sliding doors and extra seating space, while flying in one of the 14 business-class seats will get you lie-flat beds, a window and direct access to the aisle. Down the back are 144 economy seats that all feel spacious, with 30in between one headrest and the next, and there's good mood lighting. I'm flying in business class which, thanks to the exclusive feel and attentive crew, feels like the closest you can get to the cosiness of your own jet without the price tag. The herringbone layout means you're never staring at your neighbour, and it's great that each seat has a window, plus large 4K screens with more than a thousand hours of films, TV and games to entertain. • The best business class, first class and premium economy cabins Passengers love the spaciousness of the double-decker Airbus A380, but I like how snug this aircraft feels – big isn't always beautiful, and a smaller plane means we can disembark quickly, with our luggage returned just as swiftly. The loo is in black marble with a shiny wood effect and comes with ESPA goodies (very Abu Dhabi). My only complaint is that the single aisle gets busy with passengers and cabin crew trying to squeeze past each other. Antonoaldo Neves, Etihad's chief executive, says that the new aircraft 'changes everything we thought possible on a single-aisle plane', adding that it will 'redefine luxury in a narrow body'. 'The crew tell me they love the plane — it's a symbol of innovation and evolution,' he says. The A321LR will transport paying passengers for the first time on Friday, from Abu Dhabi to Phuket. Etihad is planning to fly it on 15 other routes this year and next, including to Bangkok, Phnom Penh and Hanoi, all from the Emirati capital. Some routes, such as that to Calcutta in India, are as short as five hours. Previously these cities would have been served by a larger aircraft such as a Boeing 777. However, this new plane won't be much use if you're flying from London to Abu Dhabi — that route will likely continue to be an A380 jumbo. • Read our full guide to Abu Dhabi For an airline, the long-range narrow bodies allow it to expand into and experiment with new destinations that aren't popular enough to be served by a larger aircraft, and to provide more frequent flights on popular routes. For passengers, these planes are modern, efficient and ultra-comfortable, much like private jets, the use of which has increased exponentially since the pandemic. Etihad, a rival to fellow Gulf mega-connectors Emirates and Qatar, has ordered 20 of these aircraft as part of a major growth spurt; Neves calls the A321LR 'the backbone of our growth'. So far this year the carrier has announced or launched 27 new routes, and is on course to carry more than 20 million passengers to and from its high-tech Gulf hub in 2025. By doubling the fleet, it hopes to fly 38 million Brits via Abu Dhabi by 2030 — an aggressive expansion plan that will open up more destinations across Africa, Asia or even Australasia. As we touch down to cheers at the private Abu Dhabi terminal, I come to the conclusion that after 20 years flying in A320s with budget airlines, this experience of flying in luxury business class in a small plane feels as weird as it sounds, but I love the homeliness of it. Unfortunately my next flight is on a regular A320 and down the back — in Adams was a guest of Etihad Airways, which has one-way London to Phuket first-class fares, with the Abu Dhabi-Phuket leg onboard the A321LR, from £2,509pp (
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Jain Global by the numbers: A look at the hedge fund's rollercoaster first year
Jain Global, one of the buzziest hedge fund launches, recently wrapped its first year of trading. After a slow start, Jain started gathering momentum in 2025. Business Insider dug into the numbers and charts that explain Jain Global's first year. Jain Global launched last July with great fanfare and even greater expectations. It landed with a thud — at first — before gathering momentum toward the end of its first year. While Jain Global didn't end up being the largest hedge fund launch ever, as founder Bobby Jain had once envisioned, it nonetheless holds a claim to being the most complex and ambitious. Jain raised $5.3 billion in commitments from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, a sovereign wealth fund, and wealth management platforms from Goldman Sachs and Morgan Stanley, among others. Jain Global didn't start trading that full amount right away. Instead, it received and put the money to work in stages, the last $700 million arriving in July. The firm started trading with 215 employees and six overarching investment strategies, as well as a seventh Asia-specific business line that trades in each strategy — an unprecedented and expensive rollout intended to lay the foundation for future growth. In its first year, the firm traded about 50 products — everything from convertible bonds to significant risk transfers, Delta 1 options, and natural gas — across 45 countries. Fair or not, the heft of Jain's undertaking immediately thrust it into competition with the world's largest multistrategy hedge funds, drawing comparisons to Millennium, Citadel, and Exoduspoint, which holds the crown as the largest ever hedge fund launch. Business Insider dug into more of the numbers and charts that explain Jain Global's first year. Charts are based on BI conversations with people familiar with the firm as well as public media reports. A Jain Global spokesman declined to comment. Jain's headcount has kept growing Jain Global's roster has expanded significantly since launch, growing nearly 80% to more than 380, about half of which are investment professionals, a person close to the firm said. PMs are still joining as their noncompete provisions and garden leaves expire. One upshot of launching seven businesses at once, according to people familiar with the firm's strategy, is minimizing technology headaches from bolting on businesses years later. Each of the seven business lines has a dedicated CIO overseeing the operation, apart from equity arbitrage. That business, which includes strategies like index rebalance and volatility trading, is overseen by founder and firm-wide CIO Jain, who spent decades at Millennium and Credit Suisse deeply involved in such trades. How Jain Global has put money to work How exactly a fund deploys its capital fluctuates depending on market conditions and personnel, among other factors. When Jain was pitching investors in late 2023, he included details on how he expected to allocate investor capital once at full strength, BI reported at the time. Here's how those estimates compare with its capital allocation as it hit the one-year mark (The Asia business wasn't included in the strategy breakdown early on): Having received its last tranche of capital this month, the firm expects to have its $5.3 billion fully deployed by year-end, a person familiar with the matter said. Jain Global got off to an inauspicious start, losing money in its first two months but clawing into the black by the end of 2024, finishing up 0.5%. But it started to hit its stride in the second quarter of 2025, posting three straight months of gains and ending its first 12 months of trading up 2.7%. Here's a breakdown of Jain's performance in each of the first 12 months: Investors don't gush over returns that lag the Treasury yield. But they also don't sign up for a three-year commitment to a new fund — as Jain's backers did — without some inherent patience. "Setting up and effectively competing with the other Multi-Strats, which is already an extremely competitive backdrop, is an uphill battle," Brian Payne, chief private markets and alternatives strategist at BCA Research, said in an email to BI. "Getting the proper talent, infrastructure, technology, etc. on top of making sure the portfolio is properly balanced and meeting objectives is not one that can be done overnight." It's taken ExodusPoint, which launched with a record $8.5 billion, seven years, including plenty of fits and starts, to begin hitting its stride, BI previously reported. Jain envisioned a fund that could one day scale to as much as $12 billion. The initial investors get first crack at future Jain Global capital raises, and one telling sign will be who signs up for more and what external investors decide to pile in. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Khaleej Times
4 hours ago
- Business
- Khaleej Times
New Dubai schools opening in 2025–26: Your admission cheat sheet
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are not just growing — they're reimagining the school experience. From cutting-edge campuses to curriculum innovation, the race to expand capacity and offer diverse learning pathways is in full swing. Fuelled by government vision and rising parental expectations, the surge in new school openings is reshaping the educational landscape. In Dubai alone, more than 16,000 new seats were added in the 2024–25 academic year, pushing private school enrolment past 387,000 students and counting. This momentum is set to continue. As part of the Education 33 (E33) strategy, authorities plan to open at least 100 new private schools by 2033 across both emirates, aiming to add nearly 50,000 school seats. The focus isn't just on growth; it's also about improving access, affordability, and the overall student experience, with future-ready learning at the core. Already, four new schools are confirmed to open in Dubai in 2025 and two more in 2026, with over 20 applications currently under KHDA review. These schools will bring much-needed capacity, especially for primary-aged children, and will be located in key residential hubs such as Dubai Sports City, City of Arabia, Academic City, Emirates Hills, and Jumeirah Park. Whether you're a new resident or simply looking for the right fit for your child, navigating the admissions landscape can be overwhelming. This cheat sheet breaks down everything you need to know about the new schools opening in 2025–26: from curricula and location to tuition fees, helping you make informed choices during this period of rapid expansion. Summary table: New schools opening in 2025–26 Dubai British School Mira to open in August 2025, expanding Taaleem's DBS network Opening: August 2025 Grades: FS1 to Year 6 initially, expanding to Year 13 Curriculum: National Curriculum for England Fees: Dh51,477–Dh58,836 annually Location: Reem and Mira communities Operator: Taaleem Highlights: Inclusive ethos, strong academics, and part of the 'Outstanding'-rated DBS Emirates Hills network Victory Heights Primary School to open new campus in City of Arabia Opening: August 2025 Grades: FS1 to Year 6 Curriculum: British Fees: Dh40,000–Dh57,000 annually Capacity: 850 students Location: City of Arabia, Dubailand Operator: Interstar Advisory Services Highlights: Outstanding KHDA rating, play-based learning, focus on oracy Images: Supplied by Interstar Education (VHPS) Dubai English Speaking School to open new campus in Academic City in 2025 Opening: September 2025 Grades: FS1 to Year 6 Curriculum: National Curriculum for England Fees: Dh51,477–Dh77,217 annually Capacity: 1,250 students (six to seven classes per year group) Location: Academic City, opposite DESSC Operator: Not-for-profit (DESS) Highlights: Capped class sizes (20 in FS, 23 in Years 1–6), forest school, swimming pool, and adventure playground Images: From DESS website GEMS School of Research and Innovation set to become a premium educational institution in Dubai Sports City Opening: TBC (expected 2025) Grades: Initially up to Year 6 Curriculum: English National Curriculum Fees: Starting at Dh152,000; upper years exceed Dh200,000 Location: Dubai Sports City Operator: GEMS Education Highlights: Innovation labs, AI-focused curriculum, Olympic pool, 200-seat basketball arena, fencing, and martial arts dojo Class Size: Max 16 in early years, 20 by Year 6 Incentive: 20% founding discount for FS1–Year 6 Harrow International School Dubai to open in 2026 Opening: 2026 Grades: Early Years to Year 6 (initially) Curriculum: British (Harrow approach) Fees: Dh80,000–Dh100,000 for primary years Location: Along Hessa Street, near Emirates Hills Operator: Taaleem Capacity: Up to 2,000 students Highlights: STEAM labs, Centre for Performing Arts, neuroarchitectural design, values-based leadership programme Ash Mount School set to bring full IB curriculum to Dubai's Mudon in 2026
Cosmopolitan ME
4 hours ago
- Business
- Cosmopolitan ME
Shama Perfumes lands in Abu Dhabi
Scent is a portal. One inhale and you're transported back to the memory of a teenage crush, your grandmother's rose garden, or a friend who's no longer here. Smell collapses time, pulling past moments into the present. It insists that we remember, feel, and be moved. Shama Perfumes taps into the power of scent to tell a potent story. Supplied Founded in Mumbai, Shama Perfumes is a heritage fragrance house now in its third generation of family stewardship. Mr. Salim Umar Shama, the second-generation custodian of Shama Perfumes, has long been the quiet force behind the brand's thriving legacy and reputation. With over five decades steeped into traditional Indian perfumery, Shama blends timeless techniques with modern Arabian elegance to deliver handcrafted oils, perfumes, and ouds. Supplied With the opening of its newest flagship boutique in Marina Mall, Abu Dhabi, Shama Perfumes brings its heritage of Indian artistry and Arabian sophistication to the heart of the UAE. 'Opening our doors in Abu Dhabi is more than expansion,' said Salman Shama, Managing Director of Shama Perfumes. 'It's a milestone that reflects our deep respect for this region's appreciation of the craftsmanship for highest quality of handpicked and curated Oudh and perfumes.' Some of their iconic and key collections like Dehn Al Oud, the Royal Mirage Collection, Al Jild, Khashab Al Oud are available at the new store. Supplied The new Abu Dhabi boutique is an experience. With its regionally inspired architecture, guided scent styling, calligraphy, and bespoke gifting, every detail is designed to slow you down and awaken the senses. Looking for new beauty products? Head this way and discover our must-haves are.
Zawya
5 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
ADNH positions itself for growth amid UAE tourism boom
Abu Dhabi National Hotel (ADNH) was established in 1976 and has since played an instrumental role in raising the profile of Abu Dhabi and the UAE as a global tourism hub. Over the years, ADNH has grown into a full-fledged hospitality group, delivering an extensive array of services that span hotels, restaurants, destination management, catering and transportation. It began its expansion in 1991 with the signing of its first hotel management contract. Today the company oversees operations and commercial functions for more than a dozen hotels in Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Ajman. Through its hotels division, ADNH plays a multifaceted role owning, operating, managing and acting as franchise manager for a wide-ranging portfolio of properties. Owned assets include some of the UAE's most iconic and prestigious hotels, such as The Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi Grand Canal, Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi Hotel and Villas, and Sheraton Abu Dhabi Hotel & Resort. Click here to download infographic Complementing its owned and managed assets, ADNH has a strong operator division that manages a select portfolio of hotels and hotel apartments, including the Radisson Blu Hotel Ajman, in key urban locations. Outside the traditional hospitality sphere, ADNH's diversified business interests encompass several complementary sectors. These include ADNH Catering, Em Sherif Restaurants, High Spirits stores, Al Ghazal Transport, Sunshine Travel & Tours, National Facility Management Company by ADNH, M Five Services, and Abu Dhabi National General Security Guard Co. LLC. Successful IPO of catering division In October 2024, the company floated ADNH Catering Plc, a leading food and support services provider operating in the UAE. ADNH Catering raised AED864 million (U.S.$235 million) from the sale of 900 million offer shares, representing 40% of ADNH Catering's total issued share capital. The offering attracted strong demand from both international and regional investors, being oversubscribed more than 15 times and attracting more than AED13 billion (U.S.$3.5 billion) in demand. With the final offer price (AED0.96/U.S. 0.26 per share) set at the top of the announced price range, the listing reinforced ADNH Catering's position as an established market leader in food and support services, catering to critical sectors including healthcare, education, defense and business and industry across the region. The successful listing reflects the company's strong market position, built on its established operations across key sectors in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. ADNH Catering operated around 160 on-site kitchens and delivered 11 million meals per month serving 262 clients in the year ended 30 September 2023. Its presence in Saudi Arabia is set to expand further, with planned growth in Riyadh, Jeddah and the eastern region. The listing of the catering division came after ADNH bought out Compass Group International's 50% stake in their UAE joint venture. The buyout is expected to bring in an additional net profit gain of nearly AED100 million (U.S.$27 million) for ADNH. Strategic growth drivers The UAE's tourism sector is poised for its next wave of growth. The UAE Tourism Strategy 2031, launched as part of the landmark Projects of the 50, is one of the country's most ambitious national initiatives. The strategy outlines 25 key initiatives and policies aimed at transforming the UAE into one of the world's leading travel destinations, with ambitious targets, including increasing the tourism sector's GDP contribution to AED450 billion (U.S.$123 billion) with an annual growth of AED27 billion (U.S.$7.4 billion), attracting AED100 billion (U.S.$27 billion) in additional tourism investments and welcoming 40 million hotel guests. These initiatives will boost the UAE's global competitiveness and ensure long-term, sustainable growth for its tourism industry. Investment outlook ADNH is in a strong position to take advantage of the UAE's growing tourism market and the support the tourism sector receives from the governments of both Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The focus of the two flagship airlines on boosting their networks and expanding their offerings, as well as efforts to attract global commercial, economic, sporting and leisure events, and world-class infrastructure including several new landmarks such as the newly announced Disney Abu Dhabi, has made the UAE one of the world's most well-known tourism destinations. Strategic growth through targeted acquisitions The company has been eyeing strategic acquisitions. In addition to purchasing Compass Group International's 50% stakes in their JV companies, the company has expressed an interest in exploring acquisitions of strategic and opportunistic resort-based developments across high performing micro-markets. ESG leadership and community impact The company has put in place strong environmental, social and governance (ESG) measures. Seven out of 11 projects in its hotels have already begun and are on schedule, while average greenhouse gas emission intensity per economic unit decreased by 40%. The Al Ghazi Taxi fleet now includes 147 electric vehicles. The company also reported 100% compliance with all labour laws and non-discrimination policies, and 100% adherence to codes of conduct in business practices. ADNH has also expressed a commitment to adopting long-term strategies aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, in line with government policy. Hospitality market outlook As the F&B sector in the UAE and the region continues to expand due to evolving demographics and a thriving business community, ADNH Catering is well-placed to meet the rising demand and fulfil their growth strategies. This is boosted by several new landmark projects such as Yas Island tourism attractions, as well as museums and world-class retail offerings. Conclusion ADNH's diversified portfolio and strategic initiatives position it to benefit from the UAE's expanding tourism and hospitality sectors. The successful IPO of its catering division highlights investor confidence and operational strength. Against the backdrop of national tourism strategies, ADNH remains well-positioned to support and capitalise on sector-wide growth, making it a stock to watch. To find out more, visit the company's page on To invest, contact one of the ADX brokers now.
