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Emirates Airlines invests in Scotland by doubling Glasgow service
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New second daily service
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Increase in seat capacity of 47 per cent
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Introduction of First Class cabin on both daily flights
for first time
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Cargo capacity increases by 59 per cent
Emirates Airline has announced a continued commitment to its Scottish
route connection with plans to introduce a second daily non-stop
flight from Glasgow to Dubai, commencing 1 June 2012.
The announcement comes as a result of continued growth
in demand for Emirates’ service between Glasgow and Dubai. It will
generate up to 12 new direct jobs and indirectly support many others
with Emirates’ contracted suppliers, as well as generating millions in
visitor revenue, contributing to the overall Scottish economy.
Since its commencement in 2004, the Dubai-based
international airline’s Glasgow service has carried over 1.7 million
passengers and over 46 million kilos of cargo to and from the Middle
East and beyond.
The additional flight, coupled with an aircraft upgrade
on the existing service, will increase Emirates’ capacity to and from
Glasgow by 47 per cent, an extra 398 seats per day (199 each way). It
will also see the introduction of a First Class cabin onto both daily
services, the first time this has been offered by a commercial airline
from Scotland. It will also provide an additional 13 tonnes of daily
cargo capacity - a 59 per cent uplift on existing volumes.
“This announcement illustrates our commitment to
Scotland and to our wider UK route network in difficult economic
times,” said Laurie Berryman, Emirates’ Vice President UK & Ireland.
“Our Glasgow route has been a real success story, and we are extremely
confident that there is the demand for additional services flying east
to Dubai and onward to our global network of over 115 destinations.
The service brings real benefits to Scotland’s economy and its
international competitiveness.”
“The introduction of a First Class cabin on both daily
flights also means greater choice for passengers, and increased cargo
capacity means more export business opportunities for cargo shippers
in Scotland,” added Berryman.
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City
Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, stated that this
new flight would be a significant boost to Glasgow’s economy,
connectivity and competitiveness.
He said: “I am delighted that our discussions with
Emirates and BAA over the past two years have borne success. This is
fantastic news for Glasgow, which strongly reflects Emirates’
long-term commitment to the city and our airport.
“From a starting point in 2004 Emirates’ Dubai route
has proved a huge success, generating over £164 million to date for
the local economy and bringing more than 687,000 inbound passengers to
Glasgow.
“The operation of a double daily service is a major step forward in
terms of forging greater business links and increasing access between
Glasgow and key Asian economic decision centres such as Hong Kong and
Singapore as well as emerging markets in China and India.
“The introduction of a second daily flight from Dubai –
one of the world’s largest hub airports – significantly increases
Glasgow’s global connectivity, particularly through Emirates’
worldwide route network, and will generate considerable in-bound
tourism in the years ahead.
“It is estimated that the twice-daily service will
deliver local economic benefit of £33 million with almost 140,000
inbound passengers in 2012 alone. Over the next five years the route
will be worth more than £200m to the city, bringing more than 846,000
inbound passengers to Glasgow through to 2016.
“Today’s announcement not only reinforces Glasgow
Airport’s position as Scotland’s principal long-haul gateway, but
demonstrates the continued importance of the city council’s Air Route
Development activity.”
Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “As part of
our strategy to support economic growth, the Scottish Government is
determined to improve our international air connections. The
announcement of this new expanded service cements our growing
business, education and cultural links with Dubai and provides an
additional link to this key gateway through which to boost trade and
tourism opportunities with key global markets such as south and
south-east Asia, Africa and Australasia.
“Despite challenging economic circumstances, since it
began in 2004 the Emirates’ Glasgow to Dubai service has continued to
develop. This announcement of the new expanded service today
underlines Emirates’ confidence in the Scottish market’s ability to
sustain and grow. As a government we believe that good quality air
services must continue to increase if Scotland is to maintain its
competitive advantage and we will continue to promote our aviation
sector in a bid to further boost inbound tourism and the business
connectivity.”
Amanda McMillan, managing director of
Glasgow Airport, said: “Since its launch in 2004, Emirates’ Dubai
route has proved hugely successful with business and leisure
passengers and its decision to introduce a second daily service is
fantastic news for both Glasgow Airport and Scotland as a whole.
“The ability of Scotland to maintain and increase its global
competitiveness is dependent on having air links with established and
emerging markets and not only will Emirates’ new service considerably
strengthen our long-haul route network, it will play a crucial role in
allowing companies from across Scotland to access and trade with
markets such as China, south-east Asia and India.”
With Emirates’ rapidly expanding global network,
travellers from Scotland can connect to over 115 destinations
worldwide via Dubai. The most popular routes for Scottish passengers
include Dubai, the airline’s four Australian gateways – Sydney, Perth,
Melbourne and Brisbane – along with New Zealand (Auckland and
Christchurch), Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Singapore, Cochin and
the Indian Ocean islands of Mauritius and the Maldives.
Mike Cantlay, chairman of VisitScotland said: “Access
is hugely important for both leisure and business tourism and this
double daily service not only opens up the Middle East market but more
importantly the diaspora markets of Australia and New Zealand where
some 2.5million people are of Scots origin. The opening of this new
service couldn’t have come at a better time as Scotland is set to
benefit from the tourism opportunity of a lifetime over the next three
years - with eight milestones - from Year of Creative Scotland to
Homecoming Scotland - attracting international visitors from all over
the world. We have worked with Emirates for many years and plan to
invest in a joint marketing campaign in the Middle East, Australia and
New Zealand to promote this new service.”
Cargo shippers across Scotland have also taken
advantage of Emirates’ excellent flight connections. The main
commodities being shipped include Scottish produce such as whisky,
smoked salmon and oysters, as well as items including oil-well
equipment, helicopter and aircraft parts, and medical equipment. There
has also been an increase in demand for transporting live animals,
particularly pets such as cats and dogs moving to Australia.
The new scheduled evening service will be operated by a
three-class Airbus A340-300 aircraft, carrying 12 First Class
passengers, 42 in Business Class and 213 in Economy Class. The
aircraft also possesses a cargo capacity of 13 tonnes. Flight EK26
will depart daily from Glasgow at 2130hrs, arriving in Dubai at
0800hrs (next day); with the EK25 return service departing from Dubai
at 1450hrs, arriving in Glasgow at 2000hrs.
The existing daytime flight EK27/EK28 is being upgraded
to a three-class Boeing 777-300ER with eight Private Suites in First
Class, 42 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 310 seats in Economy
Class. It also has 22 tonnes of cargo capacity.
Featured destination: DUBAI
Dubai, also known as
‘The Gold City,’ is one of the seven United Arab Emirates. It is a
World business center and famous for its cutting edge
architecture, luxury hotels, and shopping malls, including Dubai
Mall, the largest ever built. The city is also home to the World’s
only 7 star hotel. Dubai is very cosmopolitan and welcomes and
encourages tourism. If you’re headed there on vacation or on
business you might want to stay on the Dubai islands in one of the
impressive luxury hotels Dubai has to offer.
 When
to go to Dubai
Dubai lies in the Arabian Desert and has an arid climate. It is
hot all year round and especially so in summer. Popular months to
book hotels in Dubai are March and April, when temperatures are
cooler and highs average out at around 80°F.
How to get to Dubai
 Award-winning
Emirates Airlines fly ever day of the year from Glasgow Airport to
their hub at Dubai. Flights are on board the ultra-modern and
comfortable Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with Business Class and
Economy Class cabins and the fantastic ICE in-flight entertainment
system. With a flying time of around 7 hours, the Emirates
experience is all too short.
 Dubai International
Airport (DXB) is the Emirate’s main airport and lies approximately
three miles from the city. From the airport you can take a taxi to
5 star hotels in Dubai, or travel by Dubai Metro to 3 star hotels
in Dubai. While in the city you can catch the Metro or a bus to
Dubai attractions or one
of the bargain budget hotels Dubai has to
offer.
Things to do in Dubai
 Dubai
is full of exciting and unusual attractions to explore. Ski in the
middle of the desert at the indoor Ski Dubai center, or take the
family to the Wild
Wadi Water Park. Walk past the tallest building
in the World, the Burj Dubai, and make sure to visit the
impressive man made Palm Islands.
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Top
10 hotels in Dubai |
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Living in luxury, self-catering
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family – it’s all here in this guide to the top 10 hotels in
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Top beach hotel
Jumeirah Beach Hotel
On a private beach next to Wild Wadi Waterpark, the wave-shaped
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volleyball, scuba diving, snorkelling and five swimming pools are
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Orient Guest House
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Top luxury hotel
Kempinski Mall of the Emirates
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the Emirates is a luxurious world of pink domes and towers. Swim
under a waterfall in the outdoor pool, indulge in a spa and order
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Mall of the Emirates, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al
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Top design hotel
Hilton Dubai Creek
Bold colours and geometric lines give this postmodern steel and
glass Dubai hotel a contemporary edge. Rooms at Hilton Dubai Creek
are easy on the eye with lots of leather and beechwood. Dining at
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Read more about Hilton
Dubai Creek, Beniyas
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Top romantic hotel
Qamardeen Hotel
Filigree lamps cast soft shadows and muted tones of coffee and
cream set the scene for intimate escapes at Qamardeen Hotel in
Burj Dubai’s meticulously re-created old town. Dine amid Arab
décor or swim under palms in the pool.
Read more about Qamardeen
Hotel, Old
Town, Burj Dubai 114788 |
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Top family-friendly hotel
Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa
Habtoor Grand Resort & Spa is in the heart of the action of
Jumeirah Beach. With supervised childcare, kids are kept
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children’s club.
Read more about Habtoor
Grand Resort & Spa, Al Sufouh Road, Jumeirah
Beach 24454
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Top business hotel
Fairmont Dubai
Fairmont Dubai is opposite the World Trade Centre in the financial
district. Computers are available in the business centre and
secretarial services can be arranged when booking a meeting room.
Read more about Fairmont
Dubai, Sheikh Zayed Road, Al Barsha |
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Top self-catering hotel
Nuran Marina Serviced Residences
With views over Dubai Marina, Nuran Marina Serviced Residences
offers comfortable self-contained living. The décor is
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Read more about Nuran
Marina Serviced Residences, Al
Majara 4, Street H, Dubai Marina
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Top airport hotel
Le Meridien Dubai
Just a five-minute shuttle from Dubai International Airport,
Le Meridien Dubai has express check-in and check-out. Relax
before your flight with a choice of more than a dozen
restaurants and bars, three pools and a health spa.
Read more about Le
Meridien Dubai, Airport
Road, Dubai
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