Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/770367
42 Events maltatoday, SUNDAY, 8 JANUARY 2017 Banif's battery banks energise the environment! As part of its Earth Month ini- tiative earlier this year, Banif Bank distributed battery banks to all its branches, through which an impressive number of batteries have been collected for recycling! Through this initiative, Banif implemented a permanent envi- ronmentally-friendly change by accepting a new type of deposit, deploying battery banks across branches for staff and customers to bring in used batteries for re- cycling, helping to reduce waste and combat the potential haz- ards of improper disposal. "We take sustainability seri- ously here at Banif," health and safety executive Keith Borg said. "What started off as a relatively small action during Earth Hour has now evolved into a more ho- listic approach to implementing greener practices throughout the Bank. Our battery banks are one such practice which actually produces physically tangible re- sults, and better still, allows our customers to contribute too. So, if you have any spare batteries lying around, make sure to do your part and bring them to your nearest Banif branch!" Another year of Casual Friday generosity from the Banif team Banif team members presenting the month's contributions to the Kilimanjaro Challenge (top left), Europa Donna (top right) and The Funny Farm (bottom) – all causes that were suggested by the employees themselves Banif 's Casual Fridays initia- tive continues to reap benefits for a growing number of benefi- ciaries, as the team's generosity shines through once again with over €3,500 raised this year! On the last Friday of every month, Banif employees go to work in casual attire and do- nate a small amount to a differ- ent cause – often chosen by the employees themselves. Over the second half of this year, causes included The Funny Farm, Eu- ropa Donna, The Karl Vella Foundation, Fondazzjoni Naza- reth and The Kilimanjaro Chal- lenge. "Casual Fridays continue to be popular amongst the team be- cause it helps us get engaged and play an active role in choosing where our donations go," said Daniela DeMicoli, Branch Man- ager of the bank 's St Paul's Bay branch, who suggested The Karl Vella Foundation in November. "And of course, it's always nice to wear our casuals in the office every now and then!" Emirates A380 returns to Narita, Tokyo Emirates provides ideal connectivity and a start-to- finish A380 experience for Japanese travellers Emirates will resume its flagship A380 service between Dubai and Tokyo (Narita) from 26 March this year. This follows the air- line's recent A380 deployment to Moscow, and will take place after the upcoming launch of A380 ser- vices to Johannesburg. It will also coincide with the launch of A380 services between Dubai and Casa- blanca. Tokyo (Narita International Air- port) will join more than 40 des- tinations on Emirates' extensive global network served by its high- ly popular A380 aircraft, includ- ing Paris, Rome, Milan, Madrid, London and Mauritius. Emirates currently operates a three-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its daily flights between Narita and Dubai. The resumption of Emir- ates' A380 service to Narita makes it possible for Japanese travellers to fly only on A380s to their final destinations, particularly when travelling to European cities, via Dubai. Emirates will deploy its three- class A380 on the Narita route, offering a total of 489 seats, with 14 private suites in First Class, 76 mini pods with lie-flat seats in Business Class and 399 spacious seats in Economy Class, increas- ing capacity per flight by more than 135 passengers compared to the current Boeing 777-300ER. Emirates was named the world's best Airline 2016 and the airline with the world's best inflight en- tertainment at the prestigious Skytrax World Airline Awards. Emirates offers travellers in all classes a comfortable journey on the 11-hour flight from Narita to Dubai with the finest food pre- pared by master chefs. First class passengers can opt for the kai- seki menu, while business class passengers have an attractive bento box option. Travellers can also look forward to Emirates' award-winning in-flight service from cosmopolitan cabin crew, of which Emirates employs around 400 Japanese nationals, and the best entertainment in the skies with Emirates' ice (information, communication, entertainment), which offers more than 2,500 channels including Japanese mov- ies and music. Passengers can ac- cess Wi-Fi to stay in touch with family and friends during most flights. With the reintroduction of the A380, EK318 and EK319 will of- fer first class customers the one- of-a-kind service with Emirates' iconic onboard shower spa and first and business class customers can comfortably socialise or relax in the renowned onboard lounge on the upper deck. Additionally, first and business class customers, as well as plati- num and gold members of Emir- ates Skywards departing from Narita can take advantage of the Emirates Lounge, the first airline- owned lounge in Japan. Providing an experience of seamless luxury and comfort for guests, the lounge offers a complimentary selection of fine beverages and a wide range of hot and cold delicacies from a gourmet buffet. It also offers a se- lection of amenities and facilities, including a fully equipped busi- ness centre, complimentary Wi- Fi, as well as shower facilities, to name a few. The double-decker A380 is the world's largest commercial air- craft in service and it is extremely popular with travellers around the globe, with its spacious and quiet cabins. Emirates is the world's largest operator of A380s, with 89 currently in its fleet and a fur- ther 53 on order. The reinstate- ment of A380 services to Tokyo (Narita), the only Emirates A380 destination in Japan, will connect Japanese travellers to Dubai and onwards to more than 150 desti- nations around the globe. Emirates operates daily sched- uled flights between Malta and Dubai on a Boeing 777-300 air- craft. Emirates currently flies twice weekly to Malta, on Mon- days and Wednesdays, via Lar- naca in Cyprus, and on Sundays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays the airline operates the Dubai - Malta route on a circu- lar routing via Tunis in Tunisia. The return flight flies direct from Malta to Dubai. Emirates is planning to re-route its daily service between Dubai and Malta via Larnaca, Cyprus, using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft from 1 February 2017. The three-class A380 will return to Narita, Japan on 26 March EY's Entrepreneur of Year award is coming to Malta – Apply today THE search for EY Malta's best en- trepreneur begins today. EY's Entre- preneur of the Year award, which is now in its third decade and spread to over 60 countries around the world, is now in Malta. The competition is open to en- trepreneurs across all sectors, with entries open until 20 February. The Malta winner will be flown to Mo- naco for the World Entrepreneur of the Year award to compete with over 120 of the world's most suc- cessful entrepreneurs. This event is also attended by some of the most successful entrepreneurs in the world. Last Monaco event featured Bill Ford, the executive chairman of the Ford Motor Company, Muhtar Kent, the chairman and chief execu- tive officer of the Coca-Cola Com- pany and Biz Stone, the co-founder of Twitter, Obvious, Medium, and Jelly amongst others. In order to be eligible nominees must either be Maltese or operat- ing a company based on the island of Malta, running for a minimum of two years. Anyone, including employees, company advisors and financiers can nominate a success- ful entrepreneur, with the latter's consent. Our judging panel is composed of some of the most prominent stake- holders in various sectors: Anton Borg, president of the Malta Cham- ber of Commerce, Enterprise and Industry; Bernice Mizzi, director of Chiswick House School and St Martin's College; Joseph Portelli, chairman of the Malta Stock Ex- change plc; Prof Juanito Camilleri, professor at the University of Malta; and Joseph A Gasan, chairman of Gasan Group Limited. When reviewing the judging re- ports, our judges are looking for evidence of eight specific entrepre- neurial traits: entrepreneurial spirit and vision, financial performance, innovation, strategic direction, sus- tainability and growth in employee numbers, industry impact, commu- nity impact and personal integrity, and risk management.