السورية للطيران تعيد افتتاح الخط الجوي المباشر بين حلب وبيروت بعد 9 سنوات من التوقف
Syrian Air re-opening of direct air route between Aleppo and Beirut after 9 years of stop
http://www.syriandays.com/?page=show_det&select_page=52&id=29330
its cache
Friday 12/16/2011
05:33:56
Announced the general agent of Arab Airlines Syrian Beirut Rashid Attar re-opening of the air route direct between Beirut and Aleppo, and after a halt since 2002, adding that "the tours will start from December 23, present, and twice a week on Monday and Friday."
The announcement comes in light of the imposition of the Arab League economic sanctions on Syria addressed either the aviation sector, which stipulates sanctions to reduce flights to and from Syria to 50%, due to acts of "violence" associated with the movement's anti-Syrian leadership, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of people.
And Attar pointed out that "after in-depth study was based on several factors related to the start of secure social networking between the two countries and peoples of Lebanon and Syria on the one hand in addition to the economic feasibility of this line, which believes in promoting economic and trade ties, tourism and investment considered management of the company's direct flights to Aleppo Airport Beirut twice a week to stimulate and support the brotherly relationship between the common interests between the two countries and peoples, hoping that the successful outcome of this communication good for everyone. and I confirm that we are the process of increasing the number of flights on this route in the future in the hope that we can also link this air route very close to city of Yerevan in Armenia. "
And about the effects of the air embargo, which could impose on Syria and its impact on the flights, "the Syrian" From Beirut Attar said, "We did not Ntbulg any signs or restrictions prevent us from conducting flights over the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, with the knowledge that we as an airline Syria going direct flights from Beirut and Damascus to Brussels twice a week. "
He Attar, in a press conference held in Beirut, that "the bookings that we receive it at our offices in Beirut are promising and demonstrate the turnout dramatically from Beirut to Aleppo and vice versa and this is what makes us confirm that we we will provide the best possible for travelers on board our aircraft services with reference to that the situation in Syria in general and in particular Aleppo is stable and safe. "noting that" at present, interest in the company's management development studies for the conduct of flights new long-term will be announced at the time until conditions are appropriate and the data for that. "
Syrian Airlines to reactivate Beirut-Aleppo flights
December 16, 2011 11:25 AM (Last updated: December 16, 2011 02:04 PM)
The Daily Star
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Local-News/2011/Dec-16/157070-syrian-airlines-to-reactivate-beirut-aleppo-flights.ashx
BEIRUT: Syrian Airlines announced Friday it would resume direct flights between Beirut and Aleppo after a nine-year suspension.
The announcement was made by Syrian Airlines' Lebanon-based manager Rashed Attar.
Syrian Airlines, which suspended Beirut-Aleppo flights in 2002, will be running two trips a week on Mondays and Fridays starting Dec. 23, Attar told a news conference at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport.
"After an in-depth study based on securing social communication between the peoples of Lebanon and Syria, in addition to the economic benefit that this venue will bring which will strengthen tourism, trade, economic and investment ties, the company decided to schedule two direct flights to Aleppo via Beirut airport," Attar said.
The decision comes following growing pressure by the international community and Arab states on Syria to end its crackdown on protesters. Syria is already under economic and diplomatic sanctions.
Asked whether a possible air travel ban on Damascus would affect Syrian flights, Attar said: "We have not been informed of any restrictions that would prevent us from conducting flights via Rafik Hariri [International] Airport in Beirut."
Christmas shopping volume sinks this season
December 16, 2011 02:03 AM
By Mohamad El Amin
The Daily Star
http://www.dailystar.com.lb/Business/Lebanon/2011/Dec-16/157028-christmas-shopping-volume-sinks-this-season.ashx
BEIRUT: The first weeks of the holiday season have been deemed slow by merchants across the capital as Christmas shoppers hunted for bargains and relatively cheaper gifts, complaining that soaring foodstuff prices have eroded their ability to buy expensive presents and luxury items.
The Daily Star spoke Thursday to a number of shoppers and merchants in three major commercial districts of Beirut: Hamra, Burj Hammoud and at ABC in Sassine.
One easily made observation as one walks through these markets is that a majority of shop browsers walk empty-handed with some looking at the window displays while others check out the prices without buying anything.
All except one of the shopkeepers interviewed said they were facing a slow holiday season with sales, significantly below what they expected for the busiest time of the year.
Mahmoud Ballout, the owner of a clothing shop, complained along with three other shopkeepers in Hamra Street that his business was not doing well this year.
"The year has been really bad for our business. We are slashing our prices to lure more customers but still we were not able to sell enough. Usually we start giving discounts during February, but this year they have already started. Tourists are also almost completely absent from the street," he said.
The same view was echoed by Freddy, a merchant in Burj Hammoud, who said his jewelry shop had not yet seen the generous holiday customers that he is accustomed to welcoming at this time of the year.
Paul Abu Elias, who was shopping for Christmas on Arax, Burj Hammoud's major commercial street, said people were nowadays generally reluctant to spend generously on nonessential items.
"Even those who are buying are limiting their purchases to necessary stuff," he said, adding that people have become much more concerned about prices than anything else these days.
But the whole picture was not gloomy: A Burj Hammoud merchant who did not want to be named said lowering prices was the key to boosting his sales.
"Whoever has the cheaper product will sell," he said, adding, "I saw a significant improvement this year after I lowered prices at the shop."
He said the success of his business depends on locally manufactured clothing, which he thought significantly improved his situation in the market compared to merchants selling imported goods.
Employees at various low-end shops, which were particularly busy, would not talk to The Daily Star, citing management restrictions.
Georges Murad, shopping for Christmas in Burj Hammoud's market, said most of his income went to providing bare necessities.
"No one monitors prices. Supermarkets are free to increase prices and no one is able to stop them," he said. Murad's comments were shared by various shoppers who said they barely make ends meet.
But Nadine, who was shopping for the holidays at ABC mall in Ashrafieh, thought there were a lot of bargains that customers could benefit from during the season.
"I have not noticed any increases in prices, at least on clothing and gift-items. In fact discounts have started somewhat earlier than usual this year," she said.
Hanna, another shopper, said he was avoiding expensive shops and looking for more reasonably priced gift items. "I believe people have become more price aware overall," he said, adding that Christmas was not about expensive gifts.
The head of Beirut Merchants Association Nicolas Chammas confirmed the reports of a slow season during an interview with The Daily Star Thursday, saying markets continue to recede under the pressure of regional and local unrest.
He said that 20-25 percent of total business volumes are generated each year by merchants during normal and quiet holiday seasons, but this year the picture was much gloomier.
"We had warned before that 2011 had been an already bad year for businesses and the continuing political wrangling continues to overshadow it," he said.
"Also strikes and protests contributed to the worsening situation," he added, referring to the demonstration staged by teachers Thursday.
Chammas reiterated that the tourism industry, imperative for energizing Lebanese markets, had suffered a blow because of the turmoil across neighboring Syria.
"Let us not forget that the Syrian situation had caused a drop in the number of tourists, especially those who come here for shopping often on a weekly basis. A lot of tourists who cross through Syria from Jordan and other countries are no longer able to cross over to Lebanon."
Chief economist at Byblos Bank Nassib Ghobril also took a dim view of the situation, saying ongoing political divisions and the Syria crisis are putting a damper on already dwindling consumer confidence.
Ghobril, who is in charge of the OSB-Byblos Bank Consumer Confidence Index, did not expect that December consumer confidence statistics, available next January, would bring any improvement.
"Consumers still have deep uncertainties, chiefly due to the country's continuing political crises. We will continue to see consumer confidence dwindling alongside political turmoil," he said, adding, "Also let us keep in mind that growth this year will not exceed 2 percent."
Last November the Byblos Bank-OSB Consumer Confidence Index had shown Lebanese consumers' confidence levels at their lowest during the first nine months of 2011 since 2007.
But the root of the problem, Chammas thought, was that residents are subject to continuous increases in their education, health care, electricity and transportation bills, leaving "discretionary income at just 50 percent of the income of a Lebanese family."
"The government should intervene to lessen these costs. That would be a more effective approach than wage increases," he suggested.
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