Wednesday, Dec 30, 2009
Gulf News
Dubai An Emirates A380 left Dubai yesterday morning, bound for France and the home of its manufacturer, Airbus, as superjumbo flights got under way to Paris.
The French capital is the latest destination to be served by the superjumbo after Toronto, London Heathrow, Seoul, Bangkok, Sydney, Auckland and Jeddah from February 1.
Salem Obaidalla, Emirates senior vice president of Commercial Operations, Europe and the Russian Federation, said: "The superjumbo will gradually replace the morning B777 service out of Dubai, becoming daily from January 17.
High demand
"The demand for Emirates services on this route has always been extremely high and it is fitting that one of our Airbus A380s is being deployed to serve France, the headquarters of Airbus, and from where the A380 story unfolded. For us, the A380 has come full circle and what a wonderful way this is to end 2009."
Obaidalla added: "Our sales remain very strong in and out of Paris ... and our seventh A380 will bring some of the much needed capacity to the route. We also expect the larger aircraft to further stimulate trade between the UAE and France."
France became part of the airline's European network in 1992.
Nineteen weekly passenger flights comprise a double daily service to Paris and five flights to Nice, becoming daily this Friday. The 489-seat superjumbo will initially replace EK 073 on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. The flight leaves Dubai at 8am and arrives in Paris at 12.25pm. The return flight, EK 074, leaves Charles De Gaulle at 2.30pm and lands at Dubai at 11.59pm.
As before, the second flight of the day, EK 075, departs Dubai at 3pm and arrives in Paris at 7.30pm. Heading back, EK 076 takes off from CDG at 9.05pm and lands in Dubai at 6.35am the following day.
air arabia
more flights to dammam
In response to the growing demand for its services to Dammam, Sharjah-based budget carrier Air Arabia yesterday announced that it will offer an additional seven flights per week to the bustling Saudi city during the early part of 2010.
Air Arabia currently provides round-trip flights seven times a week between King Fahd International Airport in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia and its hub in Sharjah, as well as to Riyadh, Jeddah and Madinah.
Air Arabia will increase its flights to Dammam starting January 17, 2010. These flights will depart Sharjah daily at 8am and arrive in Dammam at 8.20am. The return flights will depart Dammam at 9am and arrive in Sharjah at 11.10am.
"Meeting the needs of our customers is Air Arabia's highest priority," said A.K. Nizar, head of the commercial department. "We launched our services to Madinah in September 2009 and we are proud to expand Air Arabia's existing services to Dammam. This step is focused on catering to our passengers' needs by doubling flights to the vibrant coastal city."
— Staff Report
Staff Report
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
