Emirates’ Skywards members are being given the chance to earn up to triple miles on flights to Luanda throughout August, the airline’s first new destination in 2009.

Emirates scored a double whammy today as two of its A380 super jumbos jetted off from Dubai to the opposite ends of the globe, marking the aviation world’s first A380 commercial services to Bangkok and Toronto

The Emirates Group has reported its 21st consecutive year of net profit for its 2008-09 financial year despite unprecedented challenges for the airline and travel industry. The Group’s net profit of AED 1.49 billion (US$ 406 million) for its financial year ending 31st March 2009, was down 72 per cent from the previous year’s record profits of AED 5.3 billion (US$1.45 billion), showing the impact of the record fuel prices in the first six months of the year, and the impact of the global recession.

The Middle East will once again get a boost from Emirates Airline with an additional 12 flights per week to be launched to major travel hubs in the region. The new flights will bring the airline’s total number of weekly flights across the Middle East to 197.

Emirates has selected Marriott International to manage the Park Towers in Dubai. The 1,614-room twin-tower hotel and apartment property, which Emirates is currently constructing on Sheikh Zayed Road, is adjacent to Dubai’s premier Business Bay district.

Emirates, the Official Carrier of the 2009 Arabian Travel Market (ATM), will mark 16 years as a loyal participant and supporter of ATM, as it opens its stand to trade representatives from across the globe on Tuesday.