Emirates to Operate Landmark Flight to Gatwick

News Release, 22 June 2012

Emirates to Operate Landmark Flight to Gatwick

The world’s largest passenger jet aircraft will make its first touchdown at London Gatwick next month as Emirates brings an Airbus A380 to the airport to mark 25 years of service.

On July 6, the A380 will operate one of Emirates’ three daily flights from Dubai to Gatwick enabling passengers to experience the world-renowned amenities on board. These include the world’s first onboard shower spas in First Class, an onboard lounge for First and Business Class passengers and an in-flight entertainment system throughout the aircraft with more than 1300 channels on demand.

Emirates first flew to the UK on July 6, 1987 with a daily service to Gatwick. Today, the airline offers 16 daily flights in each direction between Dubai and UK airports.

In addition to its triple daily Gatwick service, Emirates now flies five times daily to London Heathrow, three times a day to Manchester, twice daily to Birmingham and Glasgow, and daily to Newcastle. Emirates offers direct connections to all six airports from its four daily services from New Zealand.

“Emirates has changed the face of UK air travel since we took off from Gatwick 25 years ago,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe and Russian Federation. “Since that time, millions of travellers have flown with us from our six UK departure points to Dubai and beyond.”

“The arrival of a scheduled Emirates A380 flight from Dubai for the first time at Gatwick is a double celebration,” said Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer. “It marks the 25 years that Emirates have been operating in the UK, with Gatwick being their first airport. It is also the first time that Gatwick has welcomed a scheduled A380 flight - a huge achievement for the airport.”

On July 6, the A380 will leave Dubai at 8am, operating flight EK 015, and arrive in Gatwick at 12.30pm local time. It will then depart Gatwick as flight EK 016 at 3.30pm, landing in Dubai at 1.30am the next day.

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