Emirates has added a second daily A380 on to its London Gatwick route — more than six weeks earlier than planned.
The Gulf carrier was scheduled to roster the superjumbo on flights EK015/016 from June 1 (see news, April 10).
But, due to "passenger demand", the A380 has now replaced the B777-300ER that previously operated the Dubai-Gatwick service.
Outbound flight EK015 departs Dubai at 0800 and arrives at LGW at 1230, with return flight EK016 leaving Gatwick at 1425 and landing in Dubai at 0025 the next day.
Emirates flies three daily services between the two cities — flights EK009/010 are also operated by an A380, with EK011/012 by a B777-300ER.
Laurie Berryman, Emirates vice president, UK, said: "Demand for the A380 has prompted us to introduce a second daily A380 service to London Gatwick, months ahead of schedule."
As previously reported, only business and economy class seating are available to book on EK009/010 and EK015/016 from January 1, suggesting the aircraft will be Emirates' new high-density A380 with 615 seats in a two-class configuration.
The airline will roster this A380 configuration to Copenhagen from December 1 (see news, April 9).
Graham Smith
