Emirates A380 to Melbourne "key" for alliance

Emirates A380 to Melbourne "key" for alliance
By admin


Emirates has described the launch of daily A380 services between Dubai, Melbourne and Auckland as a “key component” of its proposed alliance with Qantas, as the inaugural service touched down in the Victorian capital this morning.

The introduction of the aircraft adds 540 weekly seats to the route, an increase of 38% and is the airline’s second daily A380 service to Australia.

Senior vice president commercial operations Far East & Australasia Salem Obaidalla underscored the importance of Melbourne for the airline, saying the capacity increase had been “in the pipeline” for a number of years.

“Emirates’ A380 services to Melbourne and Auckland are a key component to the global aviation partnership announced with Qantas in September,” he said.

Under the agreement, expected to start in April 2013, Melbourne travellers will have access to four daily services to Dubai, he said. Three of those will continue to be operated by Emirates, with a new daily Qantas A380 service also added to the schedule – should the alliance receive regulatory approval.

The tie-up between the two carriers remains under consideration by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, following recent submissions by a number of interested parties.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff said the new service confirmed Melbourne’s position as a “key global destination” and further strengthened its relationship with the airline.

“Melbourne was the first major Australian airport to be A380-ready and we continue to invest in our facilities to enhance services,” he said. “We look forward to working with Emirates and other airlines to continue to welcome more A380 services to Melbourne.”

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

airlines

Latest News

  • Cruise

P&O rescues Rotary volunteers after collapse of Air Vanuatu

P&O Cruises Australia has answered a plea for help from a group of young Australian Rotary volunteers, stranded in Vanuatu following the collapse of Air Vanuatu. The students, many of them teenagers from Albury, NSW, were volunteering for a youth project run by the Hive Rotary Club Australia when the airline abruptly cancelled all flights, […]

  • Destinations

Intrepid continues expansions with launch of first DMC in Jordan

Intrepid has increased its presence in the Middle East with the opening of its first destination management company in Jordan. Based in Amman, the local team will operate Intrepid’s range of nine experiential small group tours in Jordan from this summer, with a view to expanding the range for 2025 and beyond. Zina Bencheikh, managing […]

  • Appointments

Minor hotels appoints Puneet Dhawan to key Asia role

Global hotel owner and operator Minor Hotels has appointed Puneet Dhawan as head of Asia as the group plots its growth in Asia and India. From July, Dhawan will be responsible for the performance of all Minor Hotels properties in Asia, working in close collaboration with the Minor Hotels senior leadership team and will report […]

  • Appointments

Abercrombie & Kent and Crystal appoint Evon Ler to director of sales, Asia

Abercrombie & Kent Travel Group have announced that Evon Ler will join them in the new role of director of sales, Asia. She will work closely with Tony Archbold (VP, Sales, APAC, Crystal) and Susan Haberle (VP, Sales & Partnerships, APAC, A&K) with trade support across the region. Ler comes to the A&K family with more […]