Emirates has ended speculation by confirming that it will roster its A380 on to flights into Manchester, making it the first carrier to serve a regional airport with the superjumbo.
In an article on developments at the airport in last month's edition of Business Traveller, we reported rumours that Emirates was considering introducing the A380 at Manchester, although at the time a spokesperson said that there were "no immediate plans for an announcement".
But the carrier has now confirmed that it will roster the A380 onto one of its two daily flights between Dubai and Manchester from September 1, replacing its Boeing 777 aircraft. The flights in question are EK018 departing Manchester at 1330, returning from Dubai as EK017, landing in Manchester at 1145.
Emirates president Tim Clark described Manchester as "one of the strongest performers in our growing network of regional gateways, not only in the UK but globally as well", while Manchester airport's managing director Andrew Cornish said that the airport "had 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".
The move will increase capacity on the route by 75 seats per day, and makes Emirates the first airline to serve a secondary airport with the superjumbo. Up until now only primary cities such as London, Paris, Sydney and Bangkok have benefited from the introduction of the A380. It also means that Emirates will offer its first class suites on the Manchester-Dubai route for the first time.
For more information visit emirates.com.
Report by Mark Caswell
