Emirates Quickly Upgrades Dublin Aircraft to Cope With Demand

The new passenger service, launched on 9th January, has already become one of the airline's most successful route launches with load factors driving through 90% for many of the flights. The daily Dubai-Dublin service is currently operated with a 237-seat Airbus A330-200, arranged in a three class configuration.

"Normally, this would provide enough capacity for the first 2-3 years of a new route operation, said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation. "However, Dublin is exceeding our expectations much faster than was predicted and we need more seats to satisfy demand."

From July onwards, the replacement Boeing 777-300ER provides a total of 360 seats, representing an increase in capacity of 52%. The Boeing offers 310 seats in Economy Class, 42 in Business Class and 8 First Class Private Suites.

"A bigger aircraft means more good news for the Irish economy. We can bring extra visitors to the country and carry additional cargo," said Mr Obaidalla. "The A330-200 can carry up to 15 tonnes of cargo in the belly hold - this figure rises to 25 tonnes with the introduction of the 777."

Throughout all cabin classes of the 777, passengers will be able to enjoy the 1000-plus channels of the ice entertainment system, thoroughly enjoyed by travellers, especially those connecting through Dubai on longer journeys, or those with children.

Emirates' passengers departing Dublin can conveniently connect to more than 100 destinations, such as India, Thailand and Australia, with just one stop in Dubai.

While Dublin has been Emirates' first passenger service into Ireland, the airline has been serving the market through its air freight division for many years, transferring cargo through UK gateways, such as Manchester. Emirates Holidays, Emirates' tour operating arm, will feature Dublin in its 2012 A World of Choice brochure. Nine hotels and resorts - including six Dublin City hotels and three resorts outside Dublin - will be carried in the publication. Return fares from Dubai to Dublin start from AED 2,880 in Economy, AED 14,660 in Business Class and AED 23,820 when travelling in a First Class Private Suite. Already this year, the airline has launched new routes to Rio and Buenos Aires and will start flights to Lusaka and Harare on 1st February. Dallas will follow from 2nd February, Seattle as of 1st March, Ho Chi Minh City from 4th June and Barcelona effective 3rd July.

Current Dublin flight times: EK 0161 leaves Dubai at 0700hrs daily and arrives in Dublin at 1130hrs. EK 0162 departs Dublin at 1255hrs and lands in Dubai at 0025hrs the next day. Summer timings - effective 25th March 2012: EK 0161 leaves Dubai at 0700hrs daily and arrives in Dublin at 1215hrs. EK 0162 departs Dublin at 1350hrs and lands in Dubai at 0025hrs the next day.