Emirates has announced plans to increase capacity to two of its key Asian destinations – Bangkok and Hong Kong.
The Dubai-based carrier will launch a second daily Airbus A380 service to Bangkok from 27 October 2013, with the new morning superjumbo flight departing Dubai at 0940. The return flight will leave the Thai capital’s Suvarnabhumi airport at 2040. Emirates currently operates the service using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
In addition, Emirates will also boost its Hong Kong capacity with the launch of a fourth daily flight to the city. Operating direct, the new service will depart Dubai International Airport at 2100 and arrive in Hong Kong at 0805 the following morning. The return flight will leave Hong Kong International Airport at 0940, getting back into Dubai at 1455. The new service will initially be operated by a three-class A330-200 aircraft, before being upgraded to a B777-300ER later in the year.
“The addition of a second daily A380 to Bangkok and a fourth daily service to Hong Kong demonstrates Emirates’ commitment to both Thailand and Hong Kong,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ senior vice president of commercial operations for the Far East & Australasia. “Earlier this year we launched our fifth daily flight to Bangkok and the passenger demand has led to the decision to operate the second A380 on the route.
“We have been steadily increasing the number of services to Hong Kong and this fourth flight gives our customers the flexibility to choose a departure time that fits with their schedule and connect through Dubai to destinations on our ever expanding global network,” Obaidalla added.
Emirates currently operates five daily flights to Bangkok, using a mix of A380, A330 and B777 aircraft. Hong Kong is served three times a week, with two direct services and one A380 flight operating via Bangkok.
In total, Emirates now flies to 132 destinations worldwide, including 23 destinations in 12 countries in Asia Pacific region.
