IN a move to boost its US operations, Emirates unveiled major new expansion plans for the United States with the launch of daily services to Seattle and Dallas. Dallas-Fort Worth and Seattle-Tacoma International Airports will both be served by non-stop flights from February 2 and March 1, 2012 respectively.
“These new services emphasise Emirates’ confidence in, and long-term commitment to, the United States,” said HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive, Emirates Airline & Group. “With six gateways offering convenient connectivity from points across the country, customers travelling to and from the US will find it easier than ever to access our vast global network.”
“Our latest expansion also serves as a powerful indicator of how Emirates continues to invest in products and services even during difficult economic climates,” continued Sheikh Ahmed. “This is because we have always been ahead of the curve in anticipating what is now becoming an accepted truth – that demand for air travel will continue to grow over the long term in spite of the many challenges the industry faces. In making this investment now, Emirates is providing a timely economic boost to the United States whilst ensuring that we are soundly placed to serve our customers’ future air travel needs.”
The Emirates’ Seattle route will help to further strengthen the airline’s links with Boeing. Both services will be operated by Boeing 777 aircraft offering the highest standards of passenger comfort, with luxurious private suites in First Class, lie-flat beds in Business Class and generously-sized Economy Class seats.
Already the largest operator of Boeing 777 aircraft in the world, Emirates last year ordered an additional 30 777-300ERs, bringing its total 777 passenger fleet commitments to 132 aircraft.
Services to Basra, Geneva and Copenhagen have already started this year. Flights to St Petersburg begin on November 1, with Baghdad following suit on November 13. Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires become new links into South America from January 3, 2012 and on February 1, 2012, Emirates will launch its 20th and 21st destinations in Africa, with a five times weekly linked service to Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The fastest-growing airline in the world also brought forward its first daily A380 service to Germany by serving Munich from November 25, nearly five weeks earlier than expected. The double-decker was originally set to replace EK 49, one of two daily services to Munich, from January 1, 2012.
In Frankfurt, the current double daily service will be enhanced with an extra four flights per week as of October 30, becoming a triple daily operation from December 1, 2011.
Further Emirates has boosted its connections to Pakistan with the launch of additional flights to Islamabad, Lahore and Peshawar. Lahore and Islamabad will both be served by non-stop flights seven times a week from October 31 and November 2, 2011 respectively while Peshawar will be served by three weekly flights from November 5, 2011.