Emirates is celebrating 10 years of flights from Birmingham Airportthis Saturday 18 December 2010 with a leap in passenger numbers
.
Passengers increased by 15 per cent for the year to date compared
to the same period in 2009
.
The award-winning international airline first started flying from
Birmingham to Dubai in December 2000 when it launched the route
with a daily non-stop service, operated by a 278-seatAirbus A330
.
Now, after increasing to a double daily servicein 2005, Emirates
operates a pair of Boeing777-300ERs with a total of 870 seats each
day- trebling capacity since launch
.
Over its 10 year history at Birmingham, Emirates has carried 2.7 million passengers and 76 million kilos of cargo; and its route
to Dubai has recentlyovertaken Amsterdam, Edinburgh and
Paris to becomethe second largest from the airport in terms of
passengers carried
.
Laurie Berryman, Vice President UK & Ireland,Emirates, said:
"Our Birmingham service hasgone from strength-to-strength
since 2000 and has received tremendous support from people
across the region. This is demonstrated in our passenger figures
for the route which are now well on their way to hitting the three
million mark in total"
.
"The route has always proved a strong part of our UK operation
and this looks set to continue. With the lack of extra runway
capacity in the South East, Birmingham is in the perfect position
to respond to the "Heathrow Problem". These are exciting times
for both the airport and Emirates"
.
Paul Kehoe, CEO, Birmingham Airport, added:"Emirates' Birmingham service is a real success story. It's grown from strength to strength,
with Dubai leaping from our 8th most popular route in 2006 to
second place this year"
.
"Its success is partly due to the strong Midlands market realising the
ease of flying to Dubai and beyond from their local airport but also
due tothe commitment that Emirates has shown to the region. We
look forward to further growth and perhaps seeing Dubai become
Birmingham'slargest destination in the coming years"
.
In the last nine months alone, Emirates has opened a new £1.3
million lounge at Birmingham Airport for its First Class and Business
Class passengers, as well as Gold Skywards members; and
increased capacity by 22 per cent over the summer by introducing
a larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft onto its evening flight
.
Passengers flying with Emirates from the Midlands can travel to
Dubai and beyond to an ever expanding global network spanning
over 100 destinations across six continents. Popular destinations
from Birmingham include Australia (Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
and Perth), India (ten cities), Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong
.
Birmingham - Dubai - service landmarks
Monday 18 December 2000
+ Inaugural flight to Dubai operated by Airbus A330-243 A6-EAA
which was named "City of Birmingham" for the occasion
Sunday 28 March 2004
+ Service upgraded to Boeing 777 operation (from Airbus A330)
Wednesday 1 June 2005
+ Second daily service commences - reverts to
all Airbus A330 operation
Sunday 1 July 2007
+ lunchtime service upgraded to Boeing 777-300ER
- Airbus A330 continues to operate evening service
(777-300's had been used during summer 2006)
Wednesday 1 June 2009
+ evening service upgraded to Boeing 777-300ER
to give BHX a double daily 777 service to Dubai
Wednesday 9 September 2009
+ Airbus A380-861 A6-EDE operates lunchtime service
from Dubai to mark Airport's 70th anniversary
and opening of new International Pier
Thursday 11 March 2010
+ Emirates open Business Lounge in the new International Pier
.
.
Saturday 18 December 2010