Emirates to bring double-decker flights to Midlands
Emirates will offer double-decker A380 flights from Birmingham to Dubai from next March, increasing its capacity on the route by 15%.
The United Arab Emirates Airline said it would be the first to offer the A380 on regular flights from the Midlands airport.
The aircraft will operate on flights EK39 and EK40 from March 27, replacing the current Boeing 777.
The A380 will have 557 economy seats and 58 in business class.
Laurie Berryman, Emirates Vice President, UK, said: "The A380 is hugely popular amongst our passengers as it provides a unique level of service that has become synonymous with the Emirates brand.
"We are very excited to be the first airline to introduce the iconic A380 into the region and look forward to more of our customers enjoying the experience of flying on the world’s largest passenger aircraft.
"The launch of the new service, combined with our ongoing investment into the region, represents the huge significance we place on Birmingham and its role as a gateway to Dubai and across the globe. As we move into 2016, we look forward to another 15 successful years in the Midlands."
Paul Kehoe, chief executive at Birmingham Airport, added: "The A380 will not only give an additional 188 seats a day from Birmingham but will also offer customers that want to experience the magnificent A380 aircraft an opportunity to now do so from the Midlands region and I’m certain that the service, just like the programme spanning 15 years from Birmingham Airport, will be hugely successful.
" We would like thank Emirates for its commitment to our region and congratulate the team on serving Birmingham to Dubai and beyond for 15 very fruitful years."
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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