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Superjumbo creates demand

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EMIRATES’ expanding A380 fleet is generating interest from airports across the world as Manchester and Hong Kong are added to its list of destinations to be served by the superjumbo.

The inaugural flight to Manchester took off in June, ahead of the Berlin Air Show, while Hong Kong will begin services from October 1, with flights via Bangkok.

Emirates is now the world’s largest operator of the A380 with 12 in the fleet. A further order for 32 A380s, announced during the Berlin Air Show, has prompted a flurry of inquiries from airports around the world.

The airline will also restore the super-jumbo aircraft on one of its double-daily New York (JFK) services from October 31.

Maurice Flanagan, executive vice chairman Emirates Airline & Group said: “People are realising that this is the passenger aircraft of the future. As a result of our announcement to Manchester, we have had inquiries from more than 20 airports across the world, asking whether Emirates would fly the A380 to their airports. These aircraft are a dream to travel in and a dream to have at your disposal for expansion. They are extremely popular with our passengers and, where we deploy them, they fill up almost immediately - running at more than 90 per cent load factor.”

Emirates’ A380 is renowned for its first class private suites (pictured), onboard shower spas and onboard lounge for first and business class passengers, offering a wide range of drinks and canapés where travellers can socialise, relax or take advantage of the award-winning ice in-flight entertainment system.

Emirates now operates A380s on the following routes: London Heathrow, Manchester, Paris, Sydney, Auckland, Toronto, Bangkok, Seoul, Jeddah, New Delhi and Beijing. Emirates is the world’s largest customer for the superjumbo and its total A380 order book is 90 – with 78 aircraft still to come.

The airline has also recently strengthened its links to West Africa with the launch of a new direct service to Dakar and announced plans to increase services to Al Medinah al Munawarah to seven flights per week from October 31,2010.

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