Singapore joins Emirates’ Airbus A380 network

Emirates will boost its Dubai-Singapore route with the introduction of a permanent Airbus A380 service from December 1, 2012. The Dubai-based airline will be the first and only carrier to offer a scheduled A380 service on this route. The 517-seat A380 aircraft will be deployed for flights EK354 and EK355 on the back of strong passenger demand in both directions, replacing the 354-seat Boeing 777-300ER, a 46 per cent increase in capacity. With the addition of A380 services, Emirates’ total capacity across four daily services from Dubai to Singapore increases to 1,659 seats daily. The launch of A380 services confirms Changi Airport’s status as Emirates’ Southeast Asian hub with over 1,100 seats daily connecting through to Brisbane, Melbourne and Colombo, and the strengthening of its vertically integrated business model via dnata’s airport services, ground handling and catering operations. “Emirates is currently operating a two week ad-hoc Airbus A380 service between Dubai and Singapore which has received extremely positive responses from our passengers. In light of this we have decided to bring our flagship aircraft to Singapore on a permanent basis. This follows our progressive build-up of services on this route over the last few years. Despite the current global economic uncertainty, we remain committed to the Singapore market adding significant seat capacity – over 2,200 seats a week – which is set to foster tourism and trade between Singapore, Dubai and beyond,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ senior vice-president for commercial operations in the Far East and Australasia. “The signature Emirates A380 service is pivotal to our overall business strategy. Our passengers in Singapore can look forward to enjoying the widely admired and popular aircraft, known for its quietness, spaciousness and award-winning on-board products, all the way from Singapore into much of Europe that includes Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Manchester, Munich, Paris and Rome,” added Obaidalla. The Emirates A380’s three-class configuration consists of 14 private first class suites, 76 lie-flat beds in business class and 427 seats in economy class. Passengers across all cabins will get to enjoy over 1,400 channels on Emirates’ award-winning digital widescreen inflight entertainment system, ICE, and stay connected to the Internet throughout their journey with high speed Wi-Fi access. Emirates’ A380 offers first and business class passengers the unique opportunity to socialise, relax and even do business in its onboard lounge. First-class passengers have the added luxury of two exquisitely designed onboard shower spas, offering them a revitalised and refreshed arrival at their destination. Flight EK354 departs Dubai daily at 3:25am and arrives in Singapore at 2:40pm. The return daily flight, EK355, departs Singapore at 9:35pm and arrives in Dubai at 1:00am. All times are local. The demand for Emirates’ services continues to gather pace on its global route network that spans over 120 destinations in 74 countries. Just last year, Emirates increased the frequency of flights on the Singapore-Dubai with seven additional weekly flights, bringing the total number of flights out of Singapore to 28 – the most number of direct Singapore-Dubai flights offered by any airline. From : Khalij