16 Monday, November 18, 2019 The Last Word

Attiyah meets Somalia Prime Minister, USA’s General Lyons and Airbus official

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs HE Dr Khalid bin Mohammed al Attiyah held separate meetings with the Commander of the US Transportation Command Gen Stephen R Lyons; Head of Space Systems within Airbus Defence and Space, and President of Airbus Defence and Space SAS Jean-Marc Nasr; and Prime Minister of Somalia Hassan Ali Khaire, in Doha on Sunday. During the meetings, topics of mutual interest and concern were discussed. A line-up of senior officers from Qatari Armed Forces attended Attiyah’s meetings with Gen Lyons and the Somali prime minister.(QNA) HIA bags FTE Asia Awards Qatar Airways hosts runway walk to for Smart Airport Program Tribune News Network promote mental health among staff Doha HAMAD International Airport (HIA) Over 400 employees walked together for almost five kilometres in the first event of its kind has received silver award in the ‘Best Passenger Experience Initiative’ cat- egory at the Future Travel Experience (FTE) Asia Awards 2019 in Singapore. The award was given in recognition of HIA’s second phase of Smart Airport Program. The FTE awards celebrate air- ports and airlines that have displayed true industry leadership and delivered significant improvements in the travel experience at multiple touchpoints. The 5th FTE Asia Awards ceremony took place at FTE – APEX Asia EXPO 2019, at the Marina Bay Sands in Sin- munication and Marketing at HIA, gapore, and recognised HIA’s continued stated: “With passengers at the heart of Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive Akbar al Baker attended the walk alongside Chief Operating Officer of Hamad International Airport Eng Badr Mohammed commitment to unlocking the power of our strategy, HIA stays at the forefront al Meer and Qatar Airways Group Medical Director Dr John Roberts. technology to deliver the airport-of-the- of technology to deploy sophisticated future. Winners were selected by a pan- and innovative solutions that offer an Tribune News Network el of industry executives from around unparalleled travel experience. Fuelling DOHA the world. the passenger experience with choice In line with the five-star airport’s and flexibility through smart technol- Hundreds of Qatar Airways digital transformation strategy, the ogy, automation and self-service, we (QA) employees completed a walk Smart Airport Programme deploys pas- solidify our position as the airport-of- of 4.8 km down Hamad Interna- senger-centric innovative technologies choice for global travellers.” tional Airport’s (HIA) east runway to provide fast, seamless and enjoyable The successful completion of the on Sunday, at an event organised by travel experience for global travellers. first phase of HIA’s Smart Airport Pro- the airline to promote good mental The second phase of the programme gram has proven to be extremely popu- health among its staff and their takes a holistic approach to identity lar, with up to 40 percent of the home families. management and lays the foundations carrier Qatar Airways’ passengers pre- QA Group Chief Executive of a wide-scale deployment of biomet- ferring to self-check-in; and a further 20 Akbar al Baker attended the walk ric capability across both mandated and percent opting for self-bag-drop. alongside HIA Chief Operating Of- good mental health, such as regular this walk has contributed to raising Airways mascots Orry and Orah. voluntary passenger touchpoints while FTE Founder Daniel Coleman stat- ficer Eng Badr Mohammed al Meer exercise and participation in social awareness of mental health among After the walk, employees received addressing customer data privacy con- ed: “In the past 12 months it has be- and QA Group Medical Director Dr and community-based activities. It our employees and encouraged a medal for their participation. cerns in line with relevant local and in- come clear that biometrics will be a key John Roberts. They were joined by was the first event of its kind host- meaningful conversations between The event at HIA is just one of ternational regulations. technology in transforming the airport Susan Clelland, acting executive ed by the airline and represented a colleagues. I would like to thank the many ways that QA works to The award-winning initiative, cur- experience of the future for passengers, director, National Mental Health unique opportunity for employees to everyone who attended today – it is promote positive mental health rently under trial, combines passengers’ and once more Hamad International Program at the Ministry of Public explore HIA’s runway at first hand. only through our individual actions and wellbeing. It is one of the few flight, passport, and facial biometric in- Airport has been a first mover in work- Health; Iain Tully, chief executive Baker said, “Walking down that we can create change.” airlines in the world to provide in- formation in a single electronic record ing to apply a new technology that will officer for Mental Health at Ham- HIA’s runway alongside hundreds The walk started at 10am and house mental health support to em- at the self-check-in kiosk or mobile app. empower passengers, and help advance ad Medical Corporation; and Dr of colleagues to promote this wor- concluded at 11am. Before the walk ployees through a dedicated team Subsequently, only the passenger’s face the industry. HIA’s Smart Airport pro- Samya Ahmad al Abdulla, executive thy cause was a wonderful experi- began, employees and their fami- of psychologists led by Dr Roberts. is required for verification at the self- gramme is an outstanding reference director of operations at Primary ence for our staff. At Qatar Airways, lies enjoyed a range of activities at It is also the only organisation out- service bag-drop, automated security project for digital transformation, and Health Care Corporation. we understand that mental health HIA’s boarding gates, including side the health sector in Qatar that gate, and the automated boarding gate. fully deserves the recognition it has re- The walk was designed by QA is as important as physical health children’s games, food and bev- has an in-house team of mental Commenting on the award, Ab- ceived at the FTE Asia Awards ceremo- to highlight the habits that support to overall wellbeing. I hope that erage stalls, and a visit from atar health professionals. dulaziz al Mass, vice president, Com- ny in Singapore this week.” Cruise ship Marella Discovery visits Qatar Ezdan Palace Hotel celebrates feat of 100th wedding event in Jawaher Hall

Tribune News Network disposal of the couples. pany, praised the outstanding modern five-star halls in Doha. Doha Ezdan Palace Hotel will achievement of Ezdan Palace It can accommodate more than celebrate with the brides dur- Hotel after nearly one year of its 2,000 people and is served by Ezdan Palace Hotel, a five- ing their dinner by offering all soft opening and taking a dis- an expert hospitality team with star hotel, celebrated the spa services free of charge, with tinguished position in national experience and efficiency. It has 100th wedding in Jawaher free privileges at the health club hospitality. “Within this record a private entrance for guests and Hall, unveiling its intention and will offer them a romantic time, it succeeded in becom- spacious parking spaces. It’s to announce a range of special dinner. ing a favourite destination for also equipped to operate with Doha Port on Sunday welcomed luxury cruise offers for weddings, includ- The first anniversary for those who seek sophistication the latest lighting equipment liner Marella Discovery on her maiden call to ing very special prices and the wedding ceremony can be and luxury in their weddings and sound technologies. In ad- Qatar. The ship brought 1,860 passengers and discounts on bouquets and marked at the ‘Tolaitola’ res- and special events, as well as for dition to its elegant and spacious crew members to the country. (TNN) bookings. taurant -- famous for its dishes important conferences and cel- architecture, the interior design The suites connected to the selected finest-relish of interna- ebrations,” he said during a tour allows it to be divided into three hall will be dedicated to the wed- tional cuisines. of the hotel with journalists. halls, with different spaces and dings to be held at Jawaher Hall Wael Talbani, general man- The Jawaher Hall at Ezdan can be tailored for all needs and and will be free of charge, at the ager of Ezdan Hotels Com- Palace Hotel is one of the largest preferences.