Leisure and business travellers from America’s Southwest are gearing up for a first ever, non-stop air link between Dubai and Houston, Emirates’ second gateway in the United States. The service will commence 3rd December operating three times a week and increasing to a daily service from 1st February 2008.

To promote the new route to regional travel and cargo industries, Nigel Page, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, The Americas, formally introduced the award-winning airline to over 1,000 travel and cargo agents from across South/Southwestern USA.

‘The tourism and airport authorities in Houston have provided us with tremendous support around our new service and through our efforts to introduce this exciting destination to our network. We also look forward to establishing a one-stop connection for Houston with popular connection markets including the Indian Subcontinent, South Africa and the Far and Middle East. We are confident this new route will contribute to growth for both Dubai and the City of Houston,’ said Page.

‘We have been very excited about Emirates’ start of services. This series of roadshows alone, each hosting over 1,000 travel and cargo agents, emphasizes the airline’s commitment to Houston. We are delighted to welcome Emirates and we look forward to working together through our promotional efforts,’ commented Ed Dramberger, Tourism Marketing Manager of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The Emirates Houston roadshow took place Wednesday with two additional roadshows planned in Miami (6th, September) and Dallas (28th September). The traveling roadshow features a multi-media presentation about Dubai and Emirates and a viewing gallery where guests have an opportunity to sit in the Boeing 777-200 First Class private suite and view a model of the Emirates’ world renowned Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa.

Emirates will operate the technologically-advanced Boeing 777-200LR, the latest addition to its expanding fleet of over 100 wide-bodied aircraft, on the Dubai-Houston route. This aircraft features eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 of its latest lie-flat seats in Business and has a generous space for 216 passengers in Economy. The aircraft will also offer shippers eight tonnes of cargo capacity on the Dubai to Houston flight and 11.8 tonnes on the return flight.

Emirates currently employs over 8,000 cabin crew representing more than 100 nationalities, including over 100 crew members from North America. In total Emirates employs over 200 Americans within the entire group.
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