Emirates’ second daily A380 for Sydney

Sydney welcomed its second daily Emirates A380 service when EK414 touched down last night and took off this morning as EK415, with a load factor in Business Class of 93 per cent demonstrating the demand for the superior aircraft and the popularity of the route.

Upgrading Emirates’ flights EK 414 and 415 to the Airbus A380-800 has increased capacity by 1,890 seats per week or 38 per cent; demonstrating Emirates’ commitment to New South Wales and delivering considerable economic benefits through inbound seats and travel connections.

According to a 2013 Deloitte report titled ‘The Economic Value of Sydney Airport,’ the benefits of an additional A380 between Dubai and Sydney would contribute an estimated AUS$342 million to Australia’s GDP, AUS$206 million to Australia’s household income and AUS$213 million to New South Wales’ GDP.

The report also notes that 4,400 jobs would be created as a result of the additional A380 service, including 2,800 in NSW, where currently as a group Emirates directly employs 1,420 people.

“As part of our commitment to Australians, our newest A380 service between Sydney and Dubai is also a key element of the growth of our Global Aviation Partnership with Qantas,” said Barry Brown, Emirates Vice President Australasia.

“Since April 2013, Australian travellers have begun to enjoy seamless connectivity across the Emirates and Qantas networks, exclusive frequent flyer benefits and now, the choice of five daily A380 departures to Dubai,” he continued.

Qantas and Emirates are the only airlines operating to Dubai International’s thoroughly modern Concourse A, built exclusively for the A380. Concourse A has the capacity to handle 15 million passengers a year, offering customers a seamless and unrivalled experience in terms of comfort and convenience, as well as the ability to connect to Emirates’ expansive network of more than 20 A380 destinations around the world.

“Adding larger capacity aircraft is central to our strategy of meeting growing passenger demand, while supporting trade and tourism between our two countries,” Mr Brown said.

“Australia in particular represents a strong market for us, sitting in the top three regions in terms of revenue and passenger traffic, and we’re now looking ahead to the impending Brisbane A380 launch later this year,” he concluded.

Since flights to Melbourne commenced in 1996, Emirates footprint in Australia has created more than 3,500 jobs, carried over 16 million passengers and 350,000 tonnes of cargo, as well as invested more than $85 million in Australian arts, community and sports sponsorships.

Sydney first joined the network in 2000 and received its first A380 service in February 2009 – just the third destination on Emirates’ expansive international network to receive the state of the art aircraft.

Emirates sets the pace for A380 deployment, with the aircraft having carried 14 million passengers on 35,000 trips, spanning 200 million kilometres since A380 operations commenced five years ago.

With 57 Airbus A380 aircraft on order, 33 currently in the fleet and a growing network of more than 20 A380-ready airports, Emirates is now working towards Brisbane joining this network in October 2013.

The second daily Sydney A380 launch precedes Brisbane’s first A380 service and follows a period of growth for Emirates’ presence in Australia. In 2012 Melbourne received a daily A380 service and daily services to Adelaide commenced, while in March of this year, Perth services were upgraded to three times a day.

Emirates’ non-stop EK414 service leaves Dubai at 0215hrs and arrives in Sydney at 2205hrs, then departs Sydney as EK415 the next day on its return journey to Dubai at 0605hrs, arriving at 1430hrs. The flight connects conveniently with a range of European and UK services including London, Rome, Milan, Zurich, Moscow and Munich, with A380 services all the way through to both London and Moscow.

The Emirates A380 is set in a three-class configuration, with 399 seats in Economy Class on the lower level and 76 fully flat-bed, mini-pods in Business Class and 14 First Class Private Suites on the upper level. Passengers in the First Class cabin can freshen up in one of two on-board Shower Spas before joining fellow premium class travellers in the On-Board Lounge, where they can enjoy complimentary beverages and canapés.

For flight information and bookings for Emirates’ new twice-daily Sydney A380 service, contact Emirates on 1300 303 777, visit your local travel agent or www.emirates.com/au.