Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing
airlines, today introduced its new Dubai-Seoul service to Korean media and
travel trade partners in Seoul. The airline’s new daily non-stop service to South Korea’s capital and top
economic centre will start 1st May 2005 and will support the strong demand
for air links between the two cities, and boost trade and tourism exchanges
between them, said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Executive Vice President
Commercial Operations Worldwide.

“Dubai’s combination of Arabian charm and world-class infrastructure will be
an attractive new destination for Korean travellers,” Mr Al Ghaith said,
addressing journalists in Seoul today. “Also, Dubai’s importance as a
growing Middle East commercial hub is attracting strong interest from Korean
businesses.  Emirates’ new non-stop service linking Dubai and Seoul will
stimulate greater business and tourism flows between the two cities.” 

 

He added: “We are keen to introduce Emirates’ award-winning service to
Korean travellers. Likewise, we look forward to collaborating with local
organisations to promote Korea’s many attractions to travellers from across
Emirates’ global network.”

 

Korea is among Dubai’s top 10 trading partners. Non-oil trade between Dubai
and Korea amounted to over AED4.7 billion (US$1.3 billion) in 2003. Dubai’s
main Korean imports include textiles, automobiles and appliances, while main
non-oil exports to Korea include base metals, plastics and animal products.

 

Emirates’ new daily services from Seoul will provide Korean shippers with
over 90 tonnes of cargo capacity each week and speedy air connections to
Dubai and beyond. 

 

Other than Emirates’ own extensive route network to nearly 80 major cities
around the globe, there are also over 105 airlines operating out of Dubai,
offering both shippers and travellers excellent onward connections to
markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, via Emirates’ Dubai hub.

 

Emirates Gears Up for Korea

Emirates also has announced the appointment of Sang Jin Lee to the position
of Area Manager in South Korea. With 20 years of experience in airline,
airport and air travel services, Mr. Lee will manage Emirates’ operations in
Seoul, overseeing about 20 local staff in the sales and airport offices.

 

In preparation for its new Dubai-Seoul service, Emirates recently conducted
special training for cabin crew, to highlight the unique nuances of Korean
culture and service expectations. Travellers onboard Emirates’ new Seoul
services also can look forward to gourmet menus tailored to Korean palates.
The airline currently employs over 220 Korean cabin crew and has plans to
recruit even more this year.

 

Emirates will fly daily non-stop between Dubai and Seoul’s ultra-modern
Inchon International Airport from 1st May. It will operate Airbus 340-300
aircraft in three-class configuration on the route, offering a capacity of
267 passengers and 13 tonnes of bellyhold space for cargo.

 

Flight EK322 will depart Dubai International Airport daily at 02:25hrs
arriving at Inchon International Airport the same day at 15:55hrs. Return
flight EK323 will take off from Inchon the next morning at 00:30hrs and land
in Dubai at 05:25hrs, thus providing excellent onward connections for Korean
travellers to Emirates’ destinations in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and
New York City.
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