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Emirates Vice President UK and Ireland Conrad Clifford with ex-footballer Alan Hansen and cabin crew |
UK/UAE. Emirates Airline is to make the UK’s Manchester Airport the first regional base in the world to host its A380 superjumbo. The world’s biggest airliner will serve Manchester Airport daily from 1 September.
While the Emirates’ 517-seat aircraft serves many of the world’s biggest international airports, such as London Heathrow, Paris, Dubai and Sydney, its arrival at Manchester will be the first time the double-decker has operated at a regional airport.
The superjumbo will replace the Boeing 777 on the EK018, departing Manchester daily at 13.30 to Dubai and onward destinations. It will bring international passengers into Manchester on the EK017, arriving at 11.45.
The Manchester services – the world’s most northerly deployment of an A380 – will boost capacity by an extra 75 seats a day and introduce the Dubai-based international carrier’s award-winning First Class cabin.
Emirates Airline President Tim Clark said: “Manchester has been one of the strongest performers in our growing network of regional gateways, not only in the UK but globally as well.
“Our customers value our commitment to a regional network at a time when other airlines are abandoning them. We are delighted to give our Manchester customers the very best available in the shape of the Emirates Airbus A380 which is transforming the flying experience for our passengers.
“This is a ground-breaking announcement for the airport and its global standing. It is a well-deserved boost for our loyal and growing customer base in the North West.”
Historic moment for Manchester Airport
Manchester Airport Managing Director Andrew Cornish said: “Emirates’ decision to operate daily A380 services between Manchester and Dubai represents an historic moment for this airport and the region that we serve.
“We have invested close to £10 million in upgrading the airfield and terminal both to accommodate the aircraft itself and to create a fitting environment for Emirates’ customers, whether it is at check-in, using the airline’s executive lounge or at the gate area.
“The A380 is as iconic as Concorde and her introduction into Manchester by one of our most important carriers, Emirates, will provide a daily reminder that regional airports can support successful long-haul services. We look forward to welcoming the Emirates A380 in September.”
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The Emirates A380’s arrival at Manchester will be the first time the double-decker has operated at a regional airport |
About the Emirates A380
The A380 is the world’s only twin-deck airliner and is the most environmentally-advanced airliner. It offers better fuel economy than most hybrid passenger cars, and burns up to 20% less fuel per seat than today’s next largest aircraft. It generates less than half the noise of other aircraft on takeoff.
The Emirates A380 features an Onboard Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers, as well as the space to relax. A further social area, incorporating a water feature, is located at the front of First Class.
The upper deck is dedicated to premium passengers. Towards the front, First Class passengers can relax in one of 14 flat-bed, massage-equipped Private Suites. These incorporate remote-controlled doors, a desk, an electrically controlled mini-bar and the most advanced inflight entertainment system, ‘ice’ (information, communication, entertainment), available to all onboard.
Each cabin is equipped with an advanced mood lighting system, complete with a starlit sky, which adjusts to reflect the time at the destination and to help combat the effects of jet lag, the company said.
Emirates has been flying from Manchester to Dubai and its network of onward destinations since 1990, flying over 4 million passengers to and from the North West. A second daily service was added in 2003 and the Emirates Lounge at Manchester – the most luxurious at the airport – was opened on October 2009.
Emirates, the biggest customer of the A380 having ordered a total of 58, flies it to London Heathrow, Paris, Sydney, Auckland, Toronto, Seoul, Bangkok and Jeddah.
About Emirates
Emirates operates 98 non-stop flights per week from the UK to Dubai and beyond to a global network of over 100 destinations across six continents. In addition to its double-daily service from Manchester, the airline flies five times a day from London Heathrow, three times daily from London Gatwick, double daily from Birmingham and daily from Newcastle and Glasgow.
Emirates began services to Tokyo on 28 March. Its route network is growing this year with the launch of services to Amsterdam in May, Prague in July, Madrid in August and Dakar in September.
Since its launch in 1985, Emirates Airline has received more than 400 international awards. For details, visit www.emirates.com/uk
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