Emirates is to introduce a daily non-stop flight between Newcastle and Dubai, later this year. The Dubai-based international carrier's new route, which will commence on 1 September 2007, will be the first ever scheduled long haul flight to operate from Newcastle. It also opens up an onward route network that stretches across more than 80 destinations worldwide connecting through Dubai. This represents a massive boost for travellers and cargo shippers alike from across the North-East region.
Emirates' vice-president UK & Ireland Vic Sheppard says: "This new service will provide the North-East with direct and convenient access to Dubai and onwards to destinations across the globe. No longer will travellers and cargo shippers from the North-East face the unnecessary delay of connecting onto flights via London or points in mainland Europe, they will soon be able to travel and ship goods direct.”
”We firmly believe there is a significant potential market for Emirates in the North-East, one that currently remains largely untapped and believe this new route will prove hugely successful for both Emirates and the North-East. With the involvement of the local community, it has the potential to boost inbound trade and tourism, whilst also helping to foster strong trade and tourism links between the North-East, Dubai and other destinations we serve.”
The service will be operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft, with 27 business class and 251 economy class seats. It also provides a daily cargo carrying capacity of 14 tonnes. Emirates already operates 91 non-stop flights each week, or 13 each day, from the UK to Dubai, five services daily from Heathrow, three services per day from Gatwick, double-daily flights from Birmingham and Manchester, and a daily connection from Glasgow.