*EMIRATES DOUBLE PARIS, DOUBLE DECKER SERVICE

 Emirates Doubles Paris Double Decker Service

Second daily A380 service from 1 January 2013 

DUBAI, UAE – 10^th  July 2012 – Emirates is to launch a second A380 service to Paris from the beginning of next year.

From 1^st January 2013, the Emirates’ double decker will be deployed on EK flights 075 and 076 - in response to overwhelming demand on the Dubai-Paris route.

    

The airline currently serves Paris with 18 weekly flights, operated with an Airbus A380 and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

“Our decision to commit a second A380 on the Paris route is a clear sign of potent demand from travelers who wish to fly with Emirates and enjoy our superior product offering,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation. “This will be only the second European destination after London Heathrow where we have multiple A380 services each day and one of only a handful on our entire network.” 

The largely French-produced Emirates’ A380 has created a loyal following around the world since it was introduced to the airline’s fleet in July 2008.

Despite its size – over 24 metres high and a wing span of nearly 80 metres – the A380 is surprisingly quiet. The aircraft generates less than half the noise of a Boeing 747 on take-off and uses the very latest fuel-efficient technology.

Inside the exquisite First Class cabin, passengers can freshen up in one of two Onboard Shower Spas before joining fellow premium class travelers for a chat in the Onboard Lounge. Staffed throughout the entire flight, the Lounge is fully equipped with complimentary beverages and canapés.

The A380 presents a completely different experience for Economy Class passengers too with more roomy cabins and enhanced space between seats. 

Passengers on both the upper and lower deck get to enjoy the customary top-notch Emirates’ cuisine and can delve into more than 1000 channels on the ice in-flight entertainment system. 

Emirates started A380 services to Paris Charles de Gaulle in December 2009, replacing one of the then double daily flights with the airline’s flagship aircraft. 

A daily flight to Nice takes to 25 its total current number of flights into France each week.

The new A380 EK 075 service will leave Dubai at 1500hrs and arrive in Paris at 1930. The return EK 076 departs Paris at 2105hrs and gets into Dubai at 0640hrs the next day. 

The A380 capacity boost on the Paris route will further stimulate trade between the UAE and France, which currently runs into billions of US dollars each year.

“The Dubai-Paris route is one of our top markets worldwide and we are committed to further developing this route and our France operations to provide even more convenience to French travelers and exporters,” said Mr. Obaidalla.

Emirates is the largest purchaser of the Airbus A380 - with 90 orders placed - supporting many tens of thousands of direct jobs in France, the UK, Germany and across several other EU member states.

The world’s first dedicated A380 concourse is currently under construction in Dubai and is expected to open in 2013, further reflecting investment in the airline’s global hub.  

Picture 1: First Class aboard the Emirates' A380.

Picture 2:  The Economy Class cabin aboard the Emirates' A380. 

Picture 3: Emirates is to launch a second A380 service to Paris from 1^st January 2013.

Notes to Editors 

·         Emirates investment in Airbus aircraft (and spares) currently totals USD 73.2 billion at list prices - consisting of USD 21.2 billion (for past deliveries) and USD 52.1 billion for future deliveries. Emirates’ current Airbus fleet: 65 aircraft; on order: 139 aircraft. The French component: about 36%, or USD 26.3 billion

·         Emirates additionally contributes well over USD 250 million into the French economy each year via our purchases of other French products and services, via our direct expenditures in France (fuel uplift, over flight costs, aircraft landing and handling costs, in-flight catering, crew layover costs and area overheads) and advertising, promotions and sponsorships

The 2011 Oxford Economics study “Explaining Dubai’s Aviation Model” found:

·         The economic benefits of Emirates’ operations in French to French travelers and businesses (shippers) was worth USD 290 million

·         The contribution to French GDP attributed to Emirates’ operations in France was USD 244 million

·         The contribution to French GDP from tourists carried on Emirates flights was worth USD 80 million

Contact:
Jonathan Hill, Emirates Corporate Communications
Tel: (+9714) 708 2329, Mob: (+97150) 654 9604;
jonathan.hill@emirates.com, Visit www.ekgroup.com/mediacentre