#pre jeddah 2023

[nothingelsematterswrites]

Because I'm feeling petty, and it is the anniversary of The Tweet That Rocked The Grid, I decided to compile the most important piece of Oscar Lore.

I present to you: the most complete timeline of how alpine fucked up their handling of oscar piastri, aka, the piasco, to the best of my knowledge

(information compiled from multiple sources)

March 2021: Oscar Piastri makes his F2 debut in Bahrain, at the first round of the season. He immediately makes a splash by finishing fifth in the first sprint race and winning the second.

May 2021: Monaco. Oscar again impresses, collecting an 8th and two 2nds (including one in the feature race). Meanwhile, in Formula One land, Laurent Rossi offers a four year deal to Esteban Ocon, which he signs.

Rossi did not consult with any of the Alpine board about this offer, which is unprecedented for a driver who had not yet even won a race and unusual even for a race-winner who was not a champion.

What this does do, however, is effectively block one of the Alpine seats until 2025.

June-July 2021: Oscar continues to collect consistent points finishes at Baku and Silverstone, including podiums, keeping him in the championship hunt.

August 2021: Esteban Ocon wins the Hungarian Grand Prix.

September 2021: Oscar and Daniel win in Monza on the same day, with Oscar taking out the F2 feature race on the same day Daniel wins the Italian Grand Prix. Oscar follows this with another feature race victory in Russia, solidifying his points lead.

It is about this time that Alpine sit Oscar and Mark Webber down and explain that no matter what Oscar does now, he will not be in F1 next year. Alpine will have him as a reserve driver only and will not make the effort to put him in a race seat, despite Williams publicly saying they no longer require the money Nicolas Latifi brings in and are open to other drivers for 2022.

November 2021: Alfa Romeo announce that Zhou Guanyu, third place in the F2 championship, will be replacing Antonio Giovinazzi for 2022. This causes quite the uproar, as many despise the idea of Zhou getting a seat before Oscar, the talented rookie champion-elect.

The Piastris (Oscar and his father Chris) and Mark sit down with Alpine and agree to terms for 2022 and beyond, outlined in a terms sheet. This terms sheet is not a contract, but an agreement to sign a contract. The terms sheet outlines that Oscar will be the Alpine reserve driver for 2022; that he will be given practice sessions, certain private tests, and two FP1 sessions; and that Alpine guarantee him a seat on the 2023 grid, presumably with Williams. The terms sheet specifies that the actual contract will follow in 10 business days.

December 2021: Oscar wins the F2 championship in Jeddah after winning the second sprint race and the feature race. He then follows this up with a podium in sprint race one and a win in the feature race at Abu Dhabi, only serving to make Alpine look even more stupid. He is announced as the reserve for Alpine for 2022 and participates in the end of season test for Alpine.

No contract has appeared.

January 2022: Mark follows up with Alpine about the reserve driver contract, and is told, "it's coming".

No contract has appeared.

February 2022: Mark begins to hassle the legal team at Alpine about the contract. At some point, he has an exchange as follows: "I can't keep telling them that the contract is coming." The lawyer replies that she is the only one in the entire legal department, and that she has to do everything before the season starts.

No contract has appeared.

March 2022: During pre-season testing, Daniel Ricciardo tests positive to COVID-19. Alpine make arrangements with McLaren that if Daniel is not fit for Bahrain, Oscar will drive for him. Oscar still does not have a contract at this point. Alpine realise that without a contract, he does not have a superlicence (thereby making him ineligible to drive even if Daniel isn't fit.)

Panicking, the lawyer in Alpine's legal department writes "legally binding" across Alpine's copy of the terms sheet and submits that to the FIA in order to grant him his superlicence.

Five days before the Bahrain Grand Prix, Oscar Piastri finally sits down and signs a contract with Alpine to be their test and reserve driver for the 2022 season. This contract very explicitly only covers 2022, and does not contain any provisions for 2023.

Daniel finishes 17th in Bahrain, ahead of Lando Norris, and is running ahead of Norris and in the points when his gearbox fails in Jeddah.

April 2022: Oscar fulfils his duties as test and reserve driver, including being paraded around in Australia. Daniel finishes 5th in Australia after a nasty team order keeps him behind Norris' ailing car. At Imola, he is sixth in the sprint, only just behind Norris, but finishes 18th in the race after an uncharacteristically clumsy T1 move.

May 2022: Oscar conducts a private test with Alpine at Paul Ricard, using the 2021 car. No times are published, but there is a whisper on social media from the spectators who were there that Oscar was faster than Esteban Ocon had been the previous year. Daniel finishes 13th at the race in Miami after mechanical issues in qualifying and strategy issues in the race, which Andreas Seidl publicly apologises for. He finishes 12th at Spain, due to a broken rear end (which McLaren do not acknowledge until several days after the race).

After the Spanish Grand Prix, Zak Brown conducts an interview where he calls Daniel "disappointing" and lays the blame for their substandard results squarely at Daniel's feet. Daniel is then harassed by the media all through the Monaco weekend, where he finishes 13th.

It is also about this time that Alpine begin to publicly state that they are courting Fernando Alonso for a contract extension for 2023, meaning no seat will be available for next year at Alpine.

June 2022: It is about this time that Zak Brown begins shopping Daniel's seat behind his back. There are several interested parties involved, including Alex Palou and Pato O'Ward of Indycar.

Alpine continue to insist to Mark and Oscar that the 2023 deal is in progress. However, at about this time, rumours start to fly that Oscar is going to replace Nicolas Latifi at Williams after Silverstone. Williams angrily deny this, stand by Latifi, and publicly state that they are done being used as a dumping ground for other teams' juniors when they have their own - a seemingly firm statement that Oscar will not be welcome while he is attached to Alpine.

Mark makes contact with McLaren, and negotiations begin.

5 July 2022: On this date Oscar Piastri signs his contract with McLaren. The contract is initially as a reserve driver with mechanisms to make him the race driver if McLaren can negotiate an exit with Daniel. Oscar informs Otmar Szafnauer and Laurent Rossi shortly afterwards, and does so a second time at some point in the next three weeks.

11 July 2022: Zak Brown states to the media that Daniel Ricciardo will be driving for McLaren in 2023. About this time, Daniel visits the factory, and makes a tearful, impassioned promise to the team members that he is working incredibly hard and will be driving for them next year.

28 July 2022: Sebastian Vettel shocks everyone by announcing his retirement from Formula One at the end of the season, throwing the grid into disarray.

30 July 2022: Lawrence Stroll contacts Fernando Alonso and offers him the drive for next year. Unlike Alpine, Lawrence does not hesitate to put a paper contract in front of Fernando, and offers him a 2+1 deal where Alpine had been pondering a 1+1. Fernando, tired of the games of Alpine, signs immediately.

1 August 2022: Aston Martin announce that Fernando Alonso will join the team from 2023.

Either 1 August 2022 or 2 August 2022: Otmar Szafnauer corners Oscar in the simulator, in front of several other Alpine staff, and informs him he has the Alpine drive in 2023. Oscar is aware that if he challenges Szafnauer he will make a scene and does not say anything.

2 August 2022: Alpine announce that their 2023 driver lineup will consist of Esteban Ocon and Oscar Piastri. Eagle-eyed fans note that there are no quotes from Oscar in the press release, which has a very strange vibe. They are right, because...

A few hours later, Oscar sends The Tweet. There is immediate uproar.

August 2022: Otmar Szafnauer and Laurent Rossi proceed to go on a smear campaign against Oscar, calling him disloyal and questioning his integrity. Even other team principals (unwisely) get involved, despite not knowing the full story. Alpine is threatening court action, and the matter is scheduled for a Contract Recognition Board hearing. Oscar and Mark do not say a word, and nor do McLaren, who everyone assumes is the team that got him.

24 August 2022: McLaren announce that they have agreed with Daniel to part ways for the 2023 season. They do not announce his replacement and Daniel does not have a drive for 2023 arranged.

2 September 2022: The Contracts Recognition Board hearing takes place. Alpine are savagely humiliated as the full extent of their incompetence is laid bare. The mediators express their clear disdain for Alpine's actions, including their incredulousness that a lawyer possibly thought it acceptable to write "legally binding" on a terms sheet, the fact that the lawyer had pleaded with Laurent Rossi for more help several times and Alpine's "shilly-shallying" over even getting Oscar his reserve contract, let alone a race one. They find that the only valid contract Oscar had for 2023 was the one with McLaren, and Alpine are ordered to pay Oscar's, Mark's, and McLaren's costs.

After all of their bluster and slander, it turns out that Otmar Szafnauer and Laurent Rossi genuinely believed the terms sheet was a contract that entitled them to Oscar's services for 2023.

Alpine fire the lawyer. (So I guess nobody is in their legal department, now?)

[thissying]

An overview of my F1 videos from Dutch media: documentaries, race weekend interviews etc., subtitled/translated to English when needed. Mostly Max, but other drivers as well.

MAX VERSTAPPEN

Anatomy of a Champion clips: Sophie Kumpen 📽 subtitled Family Dinner at Sophie's 📽 subtitled Max & Kelly, back from vacation 📽 subtitled nl.motorsport.com review ep 1 + 2

F1 Talks with Max Verstappen 2022 📽 (english spoken) Amber chose violence for the opening of F1 Talks 2022

episode 1, p1/5 episode 1, p2/5 episode 1, p3/5 episode 1, p4/5 episode 1, p5/5

episode 2, p1/4 episode 2, p2/4 episode 2, p3/4 episode 2, p4/4

Red Bull Racing Home Run, 10 December 2022 Max arrives 📽 text translation Max after his first run 📽 text translation 2023: Red Ginger Bull 📽

Picture Perfect 2022, 26 November 2022 📽 subtitled p1/5 p2/5 p3/5 p4/5 p5/5

Race weekend interviews with Viaplay 2023 Max on Father's Day and Penelope, GP Canada, 2023 📽 subtitled

Max, pole sitter and comedian, GP Canada, 2023 📽 subtitled

Max about Helmut's phone, GP Spain, 2023 📽 subtitled

Max telling the story about Sassy being locked inside the closet, GP Monaco, 2023 📽 subtitled

Max (of course) post-race, GP Miami, 2023 📽 text translation

Max post-race, GP Miami, 2023 📽 text translation

Max reacting to George saying his actions crimes were okay, GP Azerbaijan, 29 April 2023 📽 subtitled

Max's race win preference and who he fears the most for the upcoming race, GP Azerbaijan, 29 April 2023 📽 subtitled

Max about changes in F1 and his plans for the future, GP Azerbaijan, 29 April 2023 📽 subtitled Max on being ill before and during Jeddah, GP Australia, 31 March 2023 📽 subtitled

Max on the new fences rule and a Melbourne race win, GP Australia, 31 March 2023 📽 subtitled

Max and Nyck about The Lap of Jeddah '21, GP Jeddah, 18 March 2023 📽 text translation

If Max doesn't get pole and win this weekend, this could be why: GP Bahrein, 3 March 2023 📽 text translation

Race weekend interviews with Viaplay 2022 Max post-race interview, with a Daniel hug and touchy Lando, GP Abu Dhabi, 20 november 2022 📽 no subtitles/translation

Pre-race routine: reaction time tests with Max, GP Baku, 2022 📽 subtitled

Mike Hezemans congratulating Max on his pole lap, GP Mexico, 2022 📽 text translation

Pre-race interview with Max , Sophie's birthday, GP Mexico, 2022 📽 text translation

Post-WDC win interview with Max, GP Japan, 2022 📽 subtitled

Max on training for Singapore, GP Singapore, 2022 📽 subtitled

Miscellaneous 2023 Ayrton Senna and Max Verstappen, GP Canada, 2023 📽

Lewis, Max and George scheming in the cooldown room, GP Spain, 2023 📽

Foreign press about Max, GP Spain, 2023 📽

At age 25 Max Verstappen is already quickly on his way to becoming one of the greatest in Formula 1 history, GP Monaco, 2023 📰

Max & GP and the team pre-race, GP Monaco, 2023 📽🔇

Max and Ole post-qualifying, GP Monaco, 2023 📽

Max with GP darting in and out with super secret info, pre-sprint race, GP Azerbaijan, 29 April 2023 📽🔇

Max getting strapped into the maxi-cosi, pre-sprint race, GP Azerbaijan, 29 April 2023 📽🔇

Max pre-sprint race, GP Azerbaijan, 29 April 2023 📽🔇

Maxplaining to Charles, GP Azerbaijan, 29 April 2023 📽🔇

Max & Christian Horner, pre-qualifying, GP Australia, 01 April 2023 📽 🔇

Max & Christian Horner, Helmut Marko, pre-qualifying, GP Australia, 01 April 2023 📽 🔇

Maxplaining, Bahrein test day 1, 23 February 2023 📽

Pre-season testing interview with Max for Viaplay, Bahrein, 25 February 2023 📽 subtitled

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen about Ford, RBR Launch 2023 📽 subtitled

Christian about Daniel, RBR Launch 2023 📽

Max Verstappen about sim testing and improving, RBR Launch 2023 📽 subtitled

Max Verstappen about the new year + car, RBR Launch 2023 📽 subtitled

Miscellaneous 2022 Max's Machine trailer, with David Coulthard, 11 November 2022 📽

Max and Martin Garrix meeting at the garage, GP Mexico, 2022 📽

Post-championship win interview with Sophie Kumpen, 9 October 2022 📽 subtitled

Daniel x Max in Max Verstappen: The Next Generation 📽 subtitled

Daniel x Max background crumbs 1, GP Brazil, 13 november 2022 📽

Daniel x Max background crumbs 2, GP Brazil, 13 november 2022 📽

Daniel x Max background crumbs and Maxplaining, GP Singapore, 2022 📽

Daniel and George watching Max's last qualifying lap at Singapore, GP Singapore, 2022 📽

Sophie Kumpen and Victoria Verstappen, on RTL Late Night, post-GP Barcelona, 17 May 2016 📽 subtitled

Sophie Kumpen and Giedo van der Garde, on RTL Late Night, post-GP Barcelona, 17 May 2016 📽 subtitled

Jan Lammers on RTL Late Night, post-GP Barcelona, 17 May 2016 📽 subtitled

Max on the difference between working with Renault and Honda, 2019 📽 subtitled

Max about his onboards, Peptalk 2017 📽

Max, guest on Peptalk in 2017, playing Guess Who Said (I) 📽 text translation

Max, guest on Peptalk in 2017, playing Guess Who Said (II) 📽 text translation

OTHER

Race weekend interviews with Viaplay/Dutch media 2023 Lewis and Fernando banter, post race, GP Canada, 2023 📽

A tour of the Red Bull garage with Daniel, GP Canada, 2023 📽

George interview, about racing Max and that spatial awareness comment, and getting a gift. GP Canada, 2023 📽

Carlos about Le Mans and participating in the future (with Charles), Canada GP, 2023 📽 (link won't save. tag: le mans carlos)

Fernando post-race, GP Miami, 7 May 2023 📽

Lance Stroll interview, GP Azerbaijan, 2023 📽

Fernando Alonso checking if the lighting is flattering, GP Australia, post-qualifying, 1 April 2023 📽

NOS interview with Daniel Ricciardo, Australian GP, 1 April 2023 📽 + 📰

Daniel Ricciardo on when/if he's driving the car this year, GP Australia, 31 March 2023 📽

Nyck and Max about The Lap of Jeddah '21, GP Jeddah, 18 March 2023 📽 text translation

Viaplay visited orphanage Wat Sakraeo and talked to Alex Albon about it, Studio Formule 1: Bahrein Shakedown, 3 March 2023 📽 subtitled

Yuki only has knowledge about the cars, Bahrein, 25 February 2023 📽

Race weekend interviews with Viaplay/Dutch media 2022 Lando Norris, post sprint-race, GP Brazil, 13 November 2022 📽

Kevin Magnussen on his F1 comeback, living in Denmark, and Mick Schumacher, GP COTA, 2022 📽

Christian Horner interview with David Coulthard, post-race, GP COTA, 2022 📽

Daniel "I 🧡 Austin" Ricciardo, pre-race, GP COTA, 2022 📽

Williams vs. Alfa Romeo playing Dutch Trivia, GP Zandvoort, 2022 📽

George Russell and Daniel Ricciardo chatting mid-interview, GP Monza, 2022 📽

Sjoelen with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr., GP Zandvoort, 2022 📽

Mick Schumacher onboard after scoring his first points, GP Silverstone, 3 July 2022

[umgeorge]

Russell calls for "total transparency" in FIA's Ben Sulayem F1 case

Mercedes driver George Russell says Formula 1 needs to see "all of the facts" and "have total transparency" into the ethics investigation currently concerning FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

In two separate reports published by the BBC this week, it is claimed a whistleblower has accused Ben Sulayem of attempting to interfere in the result of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and that later in last season he allegedly pushed for officials to find a way not to certify the new Las Vegas circuit. The FIA has since confirmed that its compliance officer "has received a report detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing bodies." Its compliance department is now "assessing these concerns, as is common practice in these matters, to ensure that due process is meticulously followed," per an FIA statement. Russell, who was briefly promoted to third in the 2023 Jeddah event by a post-race penalty initially handed to Aston Martin racer Fernando Alonso for his team having touched his car during a penalty pit stop before that sanction was overturned in a right of review re-examination of the incident, was asked about the situation during the pre-event press conference for this weekend's 2024 Saudi race. When asked if he had any concerns given his position as a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, Russell replied: "We want to see all of the facts and just have total transparency, really. We’re all racing here. We all want a fair and level playing field for us to showcase what we can do. I can’t really comment further." But Russell went on to add that his team was "surprised a year ago when the result got overturned, as the legal team at Mercedes thought they did a great job of presenting our case and initially winning the case, and then losing it thereafter. We just want to see transparency and have that opportunity to race on a fair playing field."

[petit-papillion]

Death, taxes, and Pierre & Charles chatting pre-race.

Jeddah | 19 March 2023

📸 Mark Sutton

[f1-obsessed333]

The 2023 calendar with Daniel’s confirmed races highlighted🦡

February 23-25 : Pre-season testing (?)

March 5: Bahrain, Sakhir

March 19: Saudi Arabia, Jeddah

April 2 Australia, Melbourne

April 30: Azerbaijan, Baku

May 7: Miami, Miami

May 21: Emilia Romagna, Imola

May 28 : Monaco, Monaco

June 4 Spain, Barcelona

June 18: Canada, Montreal

July 2: Austria, Spielberg

July 9: United Kingdom, Silverstone

July 23: Hungary, Budapest

July 30: Belgium, Spa

August 27: Netherlands, Zandvoort

September 3: Italy, Monza

September 17: Singapore, Singapore

September 24: Japan, Suzuka

October 8: Qatar,Lusail

October 22: USA, Austin

October 29:Mexico, Mexico City

November 5: Brazil, São Paulo

November 18: Las Vegas, Las Vegas

November 26: Abu Dhabi, Yas Marina

[russellius]

🖤 MERCEDES YEARS 🖤

2024

winter break

pre-season // testing

bahrain 🎖️ // jeddah // australia // japan // china // ...

every f1 press pen interview of the season

2023

testing

bahrain // jeddah // australia 🎖️ // baku // miami // monaco // spain🥉 // canada // austria // silverstone // hungary // spa // zandvoort 🎖️// monza // singapore 🎖️ // suzuka // qatar 🎖️ // cota // mexico // brazil // vegas // abu dhabi🥉

summer break // winter break

every f1 press pen interview from the season

2022

testing

bahrain // jeddah // australia 🥉 // imola // miami // spain 🥉 // monaco // baku🥉 // canada // britain // austria // france 🥉 // hungary 🎗️+🥉// spa // zandvoort 🥈// monza 🥉 // singapore // suzuka // cota // mexico 🎖️ // brazil 🎖️+🥇+🏆 // abu dhabi

every f1 press pen interview from the season

🎖️ = top 3 in qualifying // 🎗️ = pole // 🥇 = sprint //🥉+🥈 = GP podium // 🏆 = GP victory

[f1]

Alonso says Aston Martin arrive in Australia extremely happy as Stroll gives update on wrist fractures

Fernando Alonso picked up his 100th Formula 1 podium finish last time out and as a result, he says he and Aston Martin are brimming with confidence heading into this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix. Saudi Arabia saw the two-time champion finish third for a consecutive race, after being briefly demoted to P4. Aston Martin asked stewards to review their decision to penalise the driver and Alonso’s 100th F1 podium was reinstated. In Australia, Alonso said the team were thrilled with the performance of their car – but considered their podium run to be a “nice surprise”. NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Australian Grand Prix “At the moment, we are extremely happy with the performance of the car obviously. We were better than expected, especially in Jeddah – I think it was a nice surprise, so we arrive here with a good level of confidence,” he said. “But… after a few events, from now on, I think the cars will change a lot in a few areas, and a few developments, so let’s see if we can keep this pace.” Fernando Alonso celebrated his 100th podium last time out in Saudi Arabia As one of just six drivers to have notched up 100 podiums in Formula 1, Alonso said his focus was on keeping that run going. “It feels good, it feels nice to reach that number, but yeah, obviously when you are in the championship you are not really concentrating on that, you are just thinking of the next weekend, as we did after Jeddah and here we are at Melbourne and hopefully we have a strong weekend again.” READ MORE: Verstappen admits he’s been ‘struggling’ to recover from illness as he seeks first win in Australia Asked whether Aston Martin were now assured that they can continue their podium-finishing pace throughout the season, Alonso replied: “Not yet. I think we have to wait and see. Also I think very soon, from Baku or Imola, we will see the teams changing a few parts on the cars and maybe that changes also how competitive you feel, so let’s wait and see.” Team mate Lance Stroll, who broke his wrists in a pre-season training accident and missed pre-season testing – but returned to race in the season opener – gave an update on his condition in Australia. This feature is currently not available because you need to provide consent to functional cookies. Please update your cookie preferences 'Different atmosphere, for sure!' – Stroll looks forward to Australian GP “Yeah I still have those fractures, they’re not done yet – bones don’t heal in a few weeks – but I’m definitely feeling much better,” he said. Stroll added that Aston Martin were in a much happier place than last year – the team on their aforementioned run of two consecutive podiums, as opposed to 2022 when they’d failed to score a point after three races. READ MORE: ‘We have to push people to go home!’ – Krack describes ‘huge energy’ at Aston Martin after impressive start to season “Yeah, different atmosphere for sure than a year ago. We were in a tough place 12 months ago and everyone I think was frustrated and disappointed. But this time, we are already looking forward to the weekend and excited after looking at the performance from the last weeks,” he said. via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

[thxnews]

Sudan Peace Talks Have Started in Jeddah

Official Joint Statement by the US and Saudi Governments

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States welcome the start of pre-negotiation talks between representatives of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in Jeddah on May 6th 2023. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States urge both parties to take in consideration the interests of the Sudanese nation and its people and actively engage in the talks towards a cease fire and end to the conflict, which will spare the Sudanese people’s suffering and ensure the availability of humanitarian aid to affected areas. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States also would like to stress the efforts of the countries and organizations which supported these talks, including Quad countries (The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, The United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States), the League of Arab States, and partners from the Trilateral Mechanism (UNITAMS, the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development). Finally, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States urge continued, coordinated international support for an expanded negotiation process that should include engagement with all Sudanese parties.   Sources: THX News & U.S. Department of State. Read the full article

[takeoffphilippines]

AirAsia’s Biggest Ever FREE Seats* Sale Up for Grab!

Kuala Lumpur, 20 September 2022 - AirAsia is celebrating its rapid comeback as all airlines are flying sky high once again. Five million FREE* seats go on sale today to mark the milestone proving as always, AirAsia is Asia’s low fare leader, enabling everyone to fly.   

For a limited time, from today until 25 September, value seekers can snap up unbeatable flight deals across Asean and beyond for travel between 1 January 2023 and 28 October 2023 by clicking on the ‘Flights’ icon on the airasia Super App or website.

The FREE* seats are available now on many popular domestic and international destinations across Asean including Langkawi, Penang, Johor Bahru, Krabi, Phu Quoc and Singapore.  

For those who’d like to spread their wings further, fares are also on sale on the longer haul AirAsia sister airlines AirAsia X and Thai AirAsia X where flights to South Korea, (Seoul), Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Auckland), and India (New Delhi)  are also on sale from just RM499 (PHP6,286.97) for economy seats and from RM1,499 (PHP18,886.12) for premium flatbed seats for travel between 3 October 2022 and 28 October 2023 (all inclusive of taxes and charges). 

As all airlines continue to resume operations in key markets, AirAsia X also today announced new direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah in the Middle East and to Tokyo (Haneda), and Sapporo in Japan, launching in November and December this year which are on sale now. Back by popular demand, the Kuala Lumpur to Jeddah route will operate six times weekly starting from 14 November with all-in-fares starting from only RM1,799 (PHP22,665.86) for economy and MYR2,999 (PHP37,784.84) for premium flatbed for a travel period between 14 November 2022 to 25 March 2023. Direct flights to Tokyo (Haneda) and Sapporo are also back! One-way flights  are on sale today from just RM599 (PHP7,546.89) (inclusive of taxes and fees) for economy and RM2,599 (PHP32,745.18) for premium flatbed for a travel period between 21 November 2022 to 24 March 2023 for Tokyo and 1 December 2022 to 1 February 2023 for Sapporo.

Karen Chan, Group Chief Commercial Officer of AirAsia, said,“It is great to be back, better, stronger and more united than ever before, a unity we hope to share with the masses who’ve greatly supported us all these years. While COVID changed the world forever, some things never change. As the people’s airline that prides itself on connecting people to places, AirAsia continues to put our guests  at the core of everything we do, and this is what drives us to create more value deals and opportunities for everyone to  fly. 

“In the last 21 years, AirAsia has carried more than 700 million passengers, and nearly 100 million guests annually pre-pandemic, revolutionising the industry and giving everyone access to affordable air travel. We were here for you then when we started, and we are here for you now. With the progressive re-opening of borders and in preparation of our 21st anniversary, we wish to thank our loyal passengers who have stood by us and flew with us with the biggest ever FREE Seats* campaign. Not only have we resumed many of our much-loved routes, we’re also introducing new and exciting ones for greater value and choice. 

“Watch this space and spot us around Kuala Lumpur as we continue to paint the skies and the ground red, for more exciting announcements in the upcoming months as part of our 21st anniversary celebrations.”

The FREE* seats promotion is available exclusively on the airasia Super App and website, until 25 September 2022.

Stay up to date on the latest in flights, travel, lifestyle and more following @flyairasia on Instagram/Facebook or @airasia on WeChat/Weibo for the latest updates.  For a seamless and enhanced experience, download your airasia Super App from the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or Huawei AppGallery. 

–

📧 If you wish to send an invite and feature your province/company brand/event; Just ask the author of this vlog, email us at team.takeoffph@gmail.com

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[sandlerresearch]

Project Insight - Port Construction Projects: Middle East and Africa published on

http://www.sandlerresearch.org/project-insight-port-construction-projects-middle-east-and-africa.html

Project Insight - Port Construction Projects: Middle East and Africa

Project Insight – Port Construction Projects: Middle East and Africa

Summary

The Middle East and Africa region’s economies are largely dependent on the export of oil-based products and commodities. The Middle East – particularly the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries – is a major exporter of petroleum products, and a major exporter and importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG). The improvement in demand for commodities should provide relief for economies in Africa, where dependence on commodities exports is high; this in turn will increase the need for higher capacity ports in the region. Africa, with its population of 1.2 billion, only handles about 6% of the global water-borne traffic and approximately 3% of the world container traffic, so it is overdue for port expansion. Africa has 38 countries with a coastline, and numerous ports located strategically along their coastlines. The largest and busiest port in the Middle East is the Port of Jebel Ali in the UAE, which covers an area of over 132km2 and has 67 berths. The expansion underway at the port will increase its capacity from 18 million TEU to 22.1 million TEU. This is followed by the Port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia with 58 berths, which is also the largest sea port on the Red Sea.

GlobalData’s Construction Intelligence Center (CIC) is currently tracking port related construction projects in the Middle East and Africa with a total value of US$166.8 billion. Of this, US$98.6 billion is in the execution stage and US$41.7 billion is in the planning stage. Iran, leads with projects valued at US$34.4 billion, followed by Tanzania with a project value of US$15.5 billion. In order of the projects’ values, the top ten countries are Iran, Tanzania, Mozambique, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Guinea, Qatar, Nigeria and the UAE. The highest value project tracked by the CIC in the region is the US$30.0 billion Chabahar Port Development in Iran followed by the US$11.0 billion Bagamoyo Port Development in Tanzania.

key Highlights

– The total pipeline of projects is valued at US$166.8 billion with US$21.1 billion being spent in 2019 and US$22.8 billion in 2020. – The highest value of projects are at the execution stage with a total value of US$98.6 billion, followed by projects in planning with US$41.7 billion. – Projects that are in the pre-execution stage total US$23.4 billion, while those in the pre-planning stage have a value of US$3.2 billion. – Assuming all projects in the current pipeline proceed as planned, spending will reach US$22.8 billion in 2020 and fall to US$11.7 billion in 2023. The highest value of project completions will be in 2021, with a value of US$17.0 billion. – The top contractors in the region are China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), based in China, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co Ltd, based in South Korea. The top consulting engineers are Technital SpA, based in Italy, and Hyundai Engineering & Construction Co Ltd, based in South Korea.

Scope

– The report provides analysis based on CIC projects showing total project values for the Middle East and Africa and analysis by stage and funding for the top ten countries. – The top 50 projects are listed for the region giving country, stage, value of port construction. Ranked listings of the key operators for the sector are also provided showing the leading contractors, consulting engineers and project owners. Country profiles are provided for the top 10 countries including Iran, Tanzania and Mozambique.

Reasons to buy

– Gain insight into the development of the port construction sector. – Assess all major projects by value, start date, scope and stage of development for the region and top 10 countries to support business development activities. – Plan campaigns by country based on specific project opportunities and align resources to the most attractive markets