DUBAI, U.A.E., 5th February 2009 – Emirates Airline has stepped up its presence in Australia with the introduction of a second daily service to Brisbane and a third daily service to Melbourne, with immediate effect.The additional services represent yet another initiative in the Emirates-Australia partnership.
Closely following the launch of Emirates’ A380 service to Sydney on 1st February, the two new services to Brisbane and Melbourne will operate non-stop and escalate the airline’s weekly capacity to 63 flights to four Australian gateways.
Operated by the ultra-modern A340-500 aircraft in a three-class configuration that includes 12 luxurious First Class Private Suites, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 204 passengers in Economy Class, the additional flights will introduce over 3600 seats per week per direction, and contribute significantly to economic and tourism growth in Australia.
Richard Vaughan, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, East Asia and Australasia said: “Emirates is delighted to commence extra services and provide much needed capacity on the Melbourne and Brisbane routes. Our flights will assist in increasing inbound tourist arrivals and support the Australian Government’s plans of developing these two cities as leading centres for tourism.”
In its last annual study, Melbourne Airport reported close to five million international passengers. The airport authorities hope to boost this figure as Emirates’ expansion will facilitate growth in arrivals from Europe - a key tourism market. Emirates has a large European network spanning 22 cities and has been actively promoting Australia in the continent through multi-channel publicity initiatives. The Dubai-based carrier, together with Tourism Australia, has implemented several promotional campaigns in the United Kingdom – an important inbound market for Australia.
Vaughan added: “The enhanced capacity will also provide Australians better connections and increased departure options to cities beyond Dubai such as Emirates’ six gateways in the UK as well as Venice, Milan and Nice which are less frequented by other operators.”
Emirates’ commitment to Melbourne and Brisbane spans a range of sponsorships, notably The Melbourne Cup, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Collingwood Football Club and the PGA in Coolum, Queensland.
The airline’s dedication to the market is also reflected in its world-leading facilities that include the recently-launched Emirates Lounge at Brisbane Airport which offers a stunning 360 degree view of the airport and is the first airline lounge in Australia capable of boarding passengers directly from the lounge to the aircraft. The airline also offers passengers access to Emirates Lounges in Melbourne, Sydney and Perth.
Emirates SkyCargo, provides efficient and cost-effective connections to every continent on the globe and is a valued partner for many Australian businesses. Primary cargo shipments include chilled meat, seasonal fruits and vegetables, computer equipment, manufactured goods, personal effects and aircraft parts. The expansion will add 200 more tonnes of cargo-carrying capacity on the Brisbane and Melbourne routes.
Passengers on the additional flights will enjoy meals prepared by gourmet chefs, award-winning service from the airline’s international cabin crew recruited from over 100 countries, as well as Emirates’ cutting-edge ice (information, communication, entertainment) system that offers over 600 channels of on-demand entertainment and the facility to send/ receive email and text messages.
EK 408 will depart Dubai daily at 02:30 hrs and arrive in Melbourne at 22:55 hrs. It will turn around as EK 409 that departs Melbourne at 02:55 hrs the following day and touches down at the airline’s new home – Emirates Terminal 3, Dubai International Airport – at 10:10 hrs.
EK 434 will depart Dubai daily at 10:20 hrs, arriving in Brisbane at 06:35 hrs the following day. Return flight EK 435 will take off from Brisbane at 20:30 hrs and touch down in Dubai at 05:30 hrs the following day.
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