Emirates Airline has launched a new era of air travel and trading links in the North-East of England after touching down in Newcastle and bringing another UK city into the carrier’s transcontinental route network. The new Dubai-Newcastle route, opening up the airline’s 6th gateway into the UK and 22nd destination in Europe, is the first ever long haul scheduled flight out of Newcastle.

Travellers from New Zealand on Emirates will be able to connect with the direct Newcastle flight at Dubai.

Keith Longstaff, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe, said: “Already, the route is receiving tremendous support and records have been broken with pre-launch sales. Never before in the UK has Emirates sold out so quickly on the first two flights of a new service and thousands are already booked from Newcastle to far flung places throughout the Emirates network.”

Ticket sales for September alone show Emirates’ passengers out of Newcastle heading to no fewer than 26 different destinations through Dubai, including Sydney, Beijing, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Auckland, Islamabad, Delhi and Johannesburg.

On the freight side, Emirates SkyCargo will offer 13 tonnes of cargo capacity in each direction. Consignments including machinery and car parts produced by companies throughout the North-East are expected to feature among exports, with imports set to include consumer goods spanning electronics, clothes and perishables.

Emirates expressed its wholehearted appreciation to both Newcastle International Airport and One NorthEast, the regional development agency for the North-East of England, for their considerable assistance and support in starting the service.

One NorthEast chairman Margaret Fay said the Dubai route was a real boost for regional trade, export and connectivity. It gives us better access to the Middle East, India, Southern Africa, Asia and Australasia. Recent figures tell us that the Asia/Oceanic market alone is worth about 825m in exports from the region.

One NorthEasts aim is to exploit the route to increase visitors, improve trade connections and boost export. We will also continue working with the airport to extend the reach of our Passionate People, Passionate Places. campaign. This will widen awareness of what the North-East has to offer and boost tourism with more inbound visitors.”

Ms Fay added: Wider connectivity is a crucial element in stimulating business growth on a global playing field. If North-East England is to boost its economy and raise its profile in international markets, we need to open up more routes like this.”

In July, the UK Civil Aviation Authority confirmed Emirates’ position as the UKs biggest carrier of long haul travellers from the regions, and Newcastle is expected to reinforce that status.

The service will be operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, with 27 Business Class and 251 Economy Class seats. Emirates SkyCargo will offer 13 tonnes of cargo capacity in each direction.
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