Emirates has commenced flights to Adelaide – its fifth destination in Australia.
The airline launched its first flight from Dubai to the South Australia capital on Thursday morning using a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Emirates will initially operate the route four times a week (Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays), but this is expected to rise to daily from 1 February 2013.
“We are investing in South Australia for the long-haul, dedicating a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft to the route fitted with our highest onboard product offering and employing more than 150 South Australians in airline and airport service,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President for Commercial Operations in the Far East & Australasia, who was onboard the inaugural flight.
“When the service becomes daily from 1 February, it will mean nearly 5,000 additional international seats per week on the route, representing a 30% increase for the market, boosting jobs and investment in South Australia’s AUS$5.3 billion (US$5.5bn) tourism sector,” he added.
The Adelaide launch is the latest stage in a major period of growth for Emirates in Australia. Last month the airline commenced its first Airbus A380 flights to Melbourne, while a third daily flight to Perth will be introduced from 1 December 2012.
