Etihad Airways Marks Opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi with Spectacular A380 Fly-By

‘From Abu Dhabi to the World’ - Airline celebrates capital’s new architectural wonder

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates – Hundreds of visitors from around the world, attending yesterday’s official public opening celebrations of the Louvre Abu Dhabi, were treated to a low-level fly-by of the Jean Nouvel designed museum by one of Etihad Airways’ flagship Airbus A380 aircraft.

Sporting the airline’s ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ livery, the aircraft chosen for the display now also features Louvre Abu Dhabi’s official logo on each of its four engines, to promote the opening of the institution.

Etihad Airways also took the opportunity to capture a series of spectacular images from the fly-by, and commissioned a short video directed by up-and-coming Emirati director, Ahmed Abdulqader, shot from the flight deck of the aircraft and from within Louvre Abu Dhabi, to celebrate the historic occasion. Two specially equipped helicopters were also positioned above the capital to capture air-to-air filming of the aircraft as it flew over the museum, located in the UAE capital’s Saadiyat Cultural District.

Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways Chief Executive Officer, said: “Echoing the sentiments from the signing of our landmark partnership agreement with Louvre Abu Dhabi last month, Etihad Airways is today honoured to play its part in the inauguration of this hugely important universal institution.

“Abu Dhabi can now proudly take its place among the world’s foremost cultural destinations, and we, as the UAE’s national airline, are poised to play our part in bringing millions of guests to our home to experience this modern wonder of art and humanity first-hand.”

The Etihad Airways Airbus A380 and Boeing 787 fleets feature multi award-winning interiors influenced by Abu Dhabi’s architecture and landscape. These include ceiling designs and light projections in the boarding zones, Lobby Lounge, First Class and The Residence cabins of the A380s, and stylised sconce lighting in the Business Studios of both aircraft types - all inspired by Louvre Abu Dhabi’s spectacular dome and its ‘Rain of Light’ effect, mimicking the way sunlight streams through the fronds of palm trees in a desert oasis.

Etihad Airways is the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s official airline partner, having signed the first exclusive platinum partnership in October.

As a Platinum partner, Etihad Airways will work closely with Louvre Abu Dhabi on areas of brand partnership, marketing, social media, public and media relations, events and exhibitions, cultural exchanges, cargo support, inflight programming, and travel trade support. Etihad Airways’ destination management company, Hala, will collaborate with the museum on bespoke tour packages in Abu Dhabi.

To coincide with the opening of Louvre Abu Dhabi, Etihad Holidays, the airline’s holiday division, is launching a set of all-inclusive destination packages which showcase the many varied attractions of Abu Dhabi and which feature the museum prominently.


COVER PHOTO: An Etihad Airways Airbus A380 conducts a low-level fly-by of the new Louvre Abu Dhabi

DOTr Statement on Ma. Isabel Lopez

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) supports the move of the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) to recommend the suspension or cancellation of actress Maria Isabel Lopez’s driver’s license for deliberately removing the cones and entering into the ASEAN lane along EDSA.

The DOTr leadership, under Secretary Arthur Tugade, fervently believes that no one is above the law, and that all violators should be held accountable for their actions.

Government agencies concerned in traffic and transportation are one in implementing and enforcing rules and regulations concerning the use of roads and major thoroughfares, especially with the country hosting an international event, such as the ASEAN.

Ms. Lopez's actions, which she even posted on social media, does not only show a blatant disregard of traffic rules and regulations, but also puts at risk the Summit delegates and other persons who might replicate her actions.

Engelbert Humperdinck in Manila for 50th Anniversary Tour on Nov. 23, 28, 30

International music legend Engelbert Humperdinck will celebrate with Pinoy fans his 50th anniversary in the music industry with an array of classic love songs and romantic ballads when he returns for a live concert on November 28 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.

The pre-Christmas presentation from Ovation Productions is part of a three-city concert series that also includes shows on November 23 at the LausGroup Event Centre in San Fernando Pampanga and November 30 at the Alonte Sports Arena in Binan City, Laguna.

It is part of the Asian leg of “Engelbert Humperdinck 50th Anniversary Tour,” a global touring celebration of half century of the successful musical career of a singer considered as one of the hottest male pop idols of the ‘60s.
The milestone pays tribute to the outstanding achievements of the crooner dubbed as “King of Romance” and who has charmed millions worldwide with his rich repertoire that encompasses a broad range of genres.

It will take the audience to a memorable time of love and romance as it showcases the musical brilliance of Humperdinck, an ultra-smooth balladeer whose beautiful interpretation of lyrics and excellent vocal technique have earned him an enduring place in pop music.

Among the hit songs he has popularized in his sweet, powerful voice are “Release Me,” “Quando, Quando, Quando,” “The Way It Used To Be,” “The Last Waltz,” “After The Loving,” “Man Without Love,” “Spanish Eyes,” “Love Me With All Your Heart,” “Am I That Easy To Forget,” and many more.

Engelbert Humperdinck’s passion for music drew inspiration from a life lived with a love for music that started at an early age when, as Arnold George Dorsey in Leicester, England, he began studying music and playing the saxophone at the age of 11 and discovered his vocal talent for impersonation at 17.

With the outrageously memorable name of Engelbert Humperdinck (after the Austrian composer of the 19th century opera, “Hansel and Gretel”), and with his deep voice and thick sideburns, he burst into the music scene in the ‘60s along with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones and Tom Jones, and was catapulted almost instantly to the status of world icon.

His debut single “Release Me,” became an instant hit when it went into the Guinness Book of Records for staying 56 weeks in the charts and became No. 1 in 11 countries.

Humperdinck was subsequently hailed by The London Times as “the premier voice of the 20th century” for his inimitable three-and-a-half octave range and ultra-smooth onstage charisma that captivated fans of every generation in many parts of the world.

During the next four decades, he has generated record sales in excess of 150 million records, including 64 gold albums and 24 platinum albums, and won four Grammy Awards, a Golden Globe award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Aside from touring the world before sold-out crowds in Great Britain, United States, Australia, Germany, Belgium, Canada and Southeast Asia, Humperdinck has performed for Queen Elizabeth II, several US presidents and many other heads of states.

In 2007, he marked four decades in the music industry with his critically-acclaimed 40th Anniversary Tour, a 100-city worldwide celebration that coincided with the release of “The Winding Road,” his album which featured “contemporary British classics” by such great musicians as John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Elton John, Sting, Eric Clapton, Christine McVie and James Blunt.

Five years later, he represented the United Kingdom in the finals of the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan, where he set a record by being the oldest singer to participate in the competition at the age of 76.

His double-CD of duets, “Engelbert Calling,” was released in the United Kingdom by Conehead Records last March 17, 2017 and charted in the UK Top 40.

The album features the singer in the studio with musicians like Charles Aznavour, Elton John, Il Divo, Johnny Mathis, Lulu, Willie Nelson, Olivia Newton-John, Cliff Richard, Smokey Robinson, Kenny Rogers, Neil Sedaka, Ron Sexmith, Gene Simmons and Dionne Warwick

Together with Humperdinck’s other hit, “I Followed My Heart,” the “Engelbert Calling” album is now available to stream in Spotify and other major streaming platforms.

“Engelbert Humperdinck 50th Anniversary Tour” will bring back the 81-year-old singer to the Philippines for the fifth time in the past 12 years after completing its swing across major US cities in September following shows in the United Kingdom, other parts of Europe and Asia over the past few months

As he embarks on his sixth decade in music and show business, Humperdinck remains a formidable figure in pop music, a true icon of entertainment who radiates excellence in his honeyed, mellow voice and inspires people of the present age who exalt him as an extraordinary performer and a quintessential romantic balladeer.

(Engelbert Humperdinck 50th Anniversary Tour” is presented by Ovation Productions. Tickets for the Smart Araneta Coliseum concert available through www.ticketnet.com.ph or call 911-5555. Tickets for the Laus Group Event Centre in San Fernando Pampanga and Alonte Sports Arena in Binan Laguna tickets available through www.smtickets.com or at SM Customer Service).