Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has announced plans to launch a second daily service between Dubai and Perth next October operating the advanced A340-500 aircraft.The airline will also increase its non stop Dubai-Melbourne service from six a week, to daily from 6 December 2004.  This service extends onward to Christchurch in New Zealand.

With the move, Emirates will operate 28 weekly flights into New Zealand - daily into Christchurch, and thrice daily into Auckland.  By October 2005, the airline will offer double daily services to Sydney, Perth and Melbourne, and daily to Brisbane.

Richard Vaughan, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Far East and Australasia said: “Australia and New Zealand are important markets for Emirates. Our move to increase flights is a result of strong customer demand for Emirates’ passenger and cargo services, and it signals our commitment and confidence in the growth of the market.”

He added: “For both travellers and shippers, Emirates’ additional services will bring greater access and facilitate more traffic flows between Europe and the Middle East, with key Australian and New Zealand cities.”

Emirates operates a modern, all wide-bodied fleet to 77 cities in 54 countries.  From its hub in Dubai, the airline currently flies daily non stop to Perth and Sydney, and daily to Brisbane and Melbourne via Singapore. The airline introduced its Dubai-Melbourne non stop service on 1 July 2004. 

From Australia, Emirates’ flights connect thrice daily to Auckland (from Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne), and six times a week to Christchurch (from Melbourne).
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