Emirates Airline recently launched two inaugural flights to Auckland. Arriving from Sydney, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates and his delegation were greeted by the New Zealand Prime Minister, Helen Clark.
Vice Chairman and Group President Maurice Flanagan arrived on the second inaugural flight, from Melbourne, and was greeted by the Mayor of Manukau City, Barry Curtis.
The new services offer passengers the choice of 14 flights weekly across the Tasman Sea with the further choice of two Australian gateways. On October 26, those numbers will increase when Emirates launches a new daily service to Brisbane, which will continue on to Auckland.
Flights via Sydney and Brisbane will provide connections from the Middle East, while flights via Melbourne increase the options for the Australian traveler. Emirates plans to provide a major boost to the Auckland route by operating the new Airbus A340, non-stop between Dubai and Sydney and onwards to Auckland from December.
Cargo loads on both inaugural flights were full with shipments for Singapore, Sydney/Melbourne in addition to Auckland. Shipments into Auckland comprise spare parts, personal effects and electrical goods while fresh produce is expected to form most shipments out of Auckland.
Dubai-based Emirates Airline was established in 1985. The airline recently announced an aviation order of 71 new aircraft worth $19 billion to its fast-growing fleet. The airline's fleet is currently comprised of 53 aircraft. In 2006 Emirates will receive the first of 45 A380 double-deckers on order, and over the next decade it expects to more than double its fleet size. — (menareport.com)
© 2003 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)
