Emirates Unveils Special Fares For Christchurch

Emirates Unveils Special Fares For Christchurch Launch

Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, today announced special launch fares to Melbourne, Dubai and 20 European destinations as part of its new Christchurch service, which is scheduled to commence on 1 July.

A special short-term return economy flight to Melbourne for $249 departs every Wednesday until 31 July and marks one of several low-priced fares.

For travel till November, launch fares start at $149 one way or $299 return to Melbourne, $1799 return to Dubai and $1899 return to one of 20 European destinations serviced by Emirates including London, Paris, Moscow, and recently announced destinations Glasgow and Vienna.

All fares listed are for economy class travel, with sales and ticketing to 31 May and travel from the start of the service on 1 July to 30 November 2004. There is a 30-day maximum stay on all Melbourne return fares. Emirates today also announced special launch fares for business class with the same conditions. Return fares to Melbourne are $1299, to Dubai $5699 and to Europe $6999.

The competitively-priced fares offer South Island travellers an affordable introduction to Emirates' full-service flights.

The Christchurch service will be an extension of the upcoming Dubai-Melbourne non-stop service, which will operate three times a week before doubling to six times weekly on 1 August. The new connection marks Emirates' second destination in New Zealand following its inauguration in Auckland last August, and extends the Emirates network to 77 global destinations.

The route will be serviced by the ultra long-haul Airbus A340-500 aircraft, which offers unsurpassed comfort and enjoyment with a state-of-the-art entertainment system and an email and text-capable telephone for all passengers. The airline also offers first class travellers the world's first enclosable suite with flat bed seating and massage facilities for the ultimate in travel luxury. As a full-service airline, Emirates provides first, business and economy class with full meals and complimentary beverages on all of its flights.

All the fares quoted exclude Government, airport taxes and other charges, and are subject to terms and conditions.

ENDS

** About Emirates: In addition to Christchurch, other new routes which Dubai-based Emirates will introduce this year alone include: Accra, Lagos, Glasgow, Shanghai, Vienna and New York.

Emirates is among the world's fastest-growing airlines. It is also one of the world's five most profitable and 20 largest international airlines. It currently offers services to 75 cities in 53 countries in Europe, Middle East, Africa, Indian sub-continent and Asia-Pacific.

Established in 1985, the airline has received more than 200 international awards. In 2003 alone it has been voted Airline of the Year - Silver Award, Best Economy and Best Airline to the Middle East from Skytrax Research, and Passenger Service Airline of the Year from Air Transport World, USA, among others.

The airline's fleet is currently comprised of 67 aircraft -- a mix of Airbus A330-200s, Boeing 777-300s, 777-200s and 747-200/400Fs, with an average age of three years, one of the youngest in the skies. In 2006 Emirates will receive the first of 45 Airbus A380 double-decker super-jumbos on order. With the addition of 26 Boeing 777-300ERs and a range of Airbus A340s, Emirates will build its fleet to 125 aircraft by the year 2012.

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