Business

Kenya Airways to stop transporting monkeys from Mauritius to U.S. labs

Published

2 years ago

01/02/2022

MNN

Kenya Airways will stop transporting monkeys from the Indian Ocean Island of Mauritius to the United States for laboratory experiments after the contract expires next month.

Kenya Airways chairman Michael Joseph confirmed to the media on Monday that the airline will cease airlifting the primates and other wild animals used in scientific research as soon as the contract expires at the end of February.

The airline’s announcement came after a truck transporting the long-tailed macaque monkeys bred on a farm in Mauritius crashed last week in Danville, Pennsylvania attracting criticism from animal rights activists in the United States.

“We will not renew the contract that expires at the end of February,”Joseph said in an interview.

Four monkeys escaped following the collision between a truck and a pick-up prompting residents to join the local police in their search in nearby forests.

The shipment was heading to a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)-approved quarantine facility and laboratory in Florida after arriving at New York’s Kennedy Airport from Mauritius aboard a Kenya Airways plane, U.S. police said.

The location of the quarantine facility and the type of research for which the monkeys were apparently destined were not clear, but the cynomolgus monkeys also known as the long-tailed or crab-eating macaque, are often used in medical studies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has opened an investigation into the incident amid protests from animal rights activists.

U.S. animal rights lobby PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) welcomed Kenya Airways’s decision not to ship the animals from next month in a separate statement sent to the newsroom.

“PETA would like to thank Mr (Allan) Kilavuka (Kenya Airways CEO) and Mr Joseph (Kenya Airways chairman) for their decision to do away with this cruel, heinous business at Kenya Airways,” said PETA senior Vice-President Jason Baker.

“Monkeys belong in the wild, not in laboratories, where their most basic needs, including home, family, and community, are better met.”

Baker said that the decision by Kenya Airways demonstrates the carrier’s understanding of how using monkeys for research purposes poses higher risks to the possibility of emerging infectious diseases.

Business

Maldivian regional fleet grows with fourth ATR arrival

Published

15 hours ago

09/05/2024

Maldivian, the national carrier of the island nation on Wednesday, announced the arrival of its newest addition to the fleet, a fourth ATR 42-600 aircraft.

The new aircraft added to the carrier landed at Velana International Airport some time on Wednesday.

In order to commemorate the milestone, a special ceremony was held at VIA which was attended by distinguished guests, officials and key partners.

The new aircraft, Maldivian added, will enhance the airline’s capacity to serve more routes and provide increased connectivity for both locals and tourists. Moreover, this fleet expansion also reflects Maldivian’s commitment to offering exceptional service and convenience to its passengers.

At Wednesday’s event to welcome the new ATR aircraft, Maldivian’s Managing Director Ibrahim Iyas emphasized the importance of the new aircraft in the company’s growth strategy.

“We have made great strides toward achieving both operational excellence and a greater passenger experience with the addition of this brand-new ATR aircraft to our fleet,” Iyas commented.

“This aircraft offers an unprecedented level of comfort thanks to improved interior humidity control and much lower noise levels. Modern avionics and exceptional fuel economy which further support our dedication to sustainability while maximizing performance throughout our expanding network.”

Maldivian fleet currently has 25 aircraft which include an Airbus A320 commercial carrier, four ATRs, nine Dash-8 series aircraft and eleven Twin Otter seaplanes.

Source(s): sun.mv

Business

Economic growth slowed down 4.7% in 2023.: MMA

Published

1 day ago

08/05/2024

Maldives Monetary Authority (MMA) reports the economic growth slowed down 4.7% in 2023.

In its annual report, the central bank reported economic growth slowed owing to muddied performances in the tourism and construction industries.

While last year economic growth slowed 4.7%, it rose by 13.9% in 2022.

Tourism industry activity slipped last year because of the decline in the average duration of stay.

While tourism and construction industries, two of the major economic sectors, observed decline, other major sectors such as financial, fisheries, and private sector credit had gone up.

The Maldives government is taking corrective measures to rectify the economic growth, while President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s vision is to elevate the country’s national GDP to USD 12 billion, according to the Minister of Economic Development and Trade Mohamed Saeed.

Source(s): sun.mv

Business

TMA becomes first Asian operator to receive Havilland Certificate

Published

2 days ago

08/05/2024

Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), the world’s largest seaplane operator, receives De Havilland Canada’s endorsement certificate, making it the first operator in Asia to achieve the recognition.

At the official endorsement ceremony held last Sunday, De Havilland’s Chief Executive Officer Brian Chafe awarded the endorsement to TMA Chief Executive Officer A.U.M Fazy.

De Havilland owners Sherry Brideson and Robert McDonald, along with senior representatives of the Canada’s aerospace company and TMA officiated the ceremony.

TMA Chief Fauzy had thanked De Havilland’s continued support with its Twin Otters, elevating the operator’s success.

De Havilland CEO highlighted TMA’s success of completing two million flight cycles, which he added is unprecedented anywhere else.

The Canadian aerospace company affirmed continued support to TMA in future as well.

Source(s): sun.mv