Emirates (EK) will soon introduce a second daily non-stop flight from Dubai to Glasgow, providing direct connections in both directions for travellers on its three daily Auckland flights.
The additional service, which will commence on June 1, 2012, comes as a result of continued demand for Emirates’ service between Dubai and Glasgow, which began in 2004. Glasgow has been a popular end-destination for Emirates customers from New Zealand and the additional service enhances the links with the airline’s Auckland and Christchurch services to and from Dubai.
The additional flight, coupled with an aircraft upgrade on the existing service, will increase Emirates’ capacity to Glasgow by 47 per cent, an extra 199 seats each way per day. It will also provide an additional 13 tonnes of daily cargo capacity.
First Class cabins will be available on both daily services, the first time this has been offered by a commercial airline operating into Scotland.
“From a starting point in 2004, Emirates’ Dubai route has proved a huge success, generating over £164 million to date for the local economy and bringing more than 687,000 inbound passengers to Glasgow,” said Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau Councillor Gordon Matheson.
“As part of our strategy to support economic growth, the Scottish Government is determined to improve our international air connections. The announcement of this new expanded service cements our growing business, education and cultural links with Dubai and provides an additional link to this key gateway through which to boost trade and tourism opportunities with key global markets such as south and south-east Asia, Africa and Australasia,” commented Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
From June, morning services to Glasgow will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, departing Dubai at 7.50am, connecting with early-morning arrivals from Auckland and Christchurch. The new, additional service from Glasgow will be operated by an Airbus A340-300, departing Scotland at 9.30pm and arriving in Dubai at 8am, in time to connect with Auckland services.