Emirates’ A380 destination list has flown past 20 today, with Singapore and Moscow joining the airline’s double-decker network.
With the world’s largest fleet of A380 aircraft, at 27 and another four to be delivered up to the end of 2012, Emirates continues to set the pace for A380 deployment. In the four years since the A380 has been in operation over 11.5 million passengers have flown on the aircraft, covering 169 million kilometres.
“Singapore and Moscow are both strategically important routes for Emirates,” said Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline. “Deploying larger capacity aircraft, such as the A380, is central to helping us meet growing passenger demand in these markets.
“The Emirates A380 continues to peak customer interest. Setting a new standard for aviation both in terms of customer comfort and environmental efficiency, the Emirates A380 continues to deliver strong load factors for us wherever it flies,” added Mr. Clark.
Emirates’ inaugural A380 service to Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow marks the first time a commercial A380 flight has touched down in the city reinforcing the airline’s long-term commitment to Russia. In addition to the launch of the A380 to Moscow, Emirates will also upgrade its daily St. Petersburg service, launching a Boeing 777-300 on the route today adding a further 688 seats per week on the route.
“In Moscow the new A380 service will further drive demand for passenger and cargo services and the current buzz in the market certainly reflects this. As Emirates’ South East Asian hub, Singapore will also benefit from the higher capacity aircraft which will further support the country’s international trade agenda,” added Mr. Clark.
With the addition of A380 services, Emirates’ total capacity across four daily services from Dubai to Singapore increases to 1,659 seats daily. In Moscow the total capacity across two daily services from Dubai to Moscow increases to 775 seats daily.
Continuing with its swift A380 utilization from December 10th Emirates will operate all five daily services from London Heathrow with an A380. New York and Paris will also benefit from the upcoming A380 deliveries, each receiving their second daily A380 service from 1st January 2013. The extensive Emirates A380 network enables many customers to now travel onboard the A380 for the full length of their journey.
Passengers in all classes can enjoy Emirates’ award-winning ‘ice’ Digital Widescreen, the industry’s most sophisticated video and audio system, offering 1,400 channels of on-demand entertainment – the largest selection of programming in the sky.
Emirates now operates to 21 A380 destinations with new cities to be announced in the coming months.
Aircraft timings;
Moscow – The new A380 service EK131, one of two daily Emirates flights to Moscow, departs Dubai at 1750hrs and arrives at Domodedovo International Airport at 2305hrs. The return flight departs Moscow at 0105hrs arriving in Dubai at 0620hrs.
Singapore – The new A380 service, one of four daily Emirates flights to Singapore, departs Dubai at 0325hrs and arrives at Changi International Airport at 1440hrs. The return flight departs Singapore at 2135hrs arriving in Dubai at 0100hrs the following day.