United Arab Emirates (UAE) operator Emirates Airline has launched daily flights between its fast-expanding Dubai International Airport hub and the Iraqi city of Erbil, its third destination in Iraq, after Baghdad and Basra and its eleventh new route launch during 2012. The airline’ s inaugural flight touched down in Erbil, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan from August 12, 2012, receiving a traditional water cannon salute from the Airport Fire Service. The route will initially operate four times a week, increasing to a daily service from September 1, 2012 and is being operated using an A340-300, offering 267 seats in a three-class configuration and more than 13 tonnes of cargo capacity.
Known to be the oldest continuously inhabited city in the world, Erbil has a population of approximately five million people and is the fourth largest city in Iraq. The Iraqi Kurdistan region has the sixth largest oil reserve globally with many of the world’s large oil multinationals availing of offices there. The region is booming with new, large-scale construction projects including a 1.6 billion US-dollar media centre considered to be one of the principal projects currently in development.
“Iraq continues to see an upward trend in economic growth and we are firmly committed to helping the country prosper and flourish. We expect this new destination to be extremely popular with the many multinational companies who have a presence in Erbil, in addition to those looking to set up new business ventures,” said Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President, Engineering & Operations, Emirates Airline.
The route launch is just part of a wider network expansion by Emirates in Iraq. “Since we first launched flights into Iraq we have seen demand for our services there increase tenfold,” said His Highness (HH) Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group.
Emirates currently operates a daily flight to Baghdad and from August 1, 2012 has also been flying daily to Basra after adding an additional three weekly flights on the route to the Iraqi southern port city. The extra flights have increased existing capacity by 79 per cent per week in both directions, making it easier for both business and leisure travellers in Basra to connect seamlessly with key industry hubs in the US and Europe.
“The decision to introduce these additional flights to Basra highlights the destination’s importance within our growing global network. Since its launch Basra has seen incredibly strong passenger loads, providing an integral link between south of Iraq and the rest of the world through its convenient connections in Dubai,” said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran.
Well positioned, close to the oil fields and the Gulf, Basra continues to attract investments from major corporations around the globe. Local authorities in Basra have also started developing plans to attract inbound tourism, highlighting the city’s rich heritage. “For Emirates, Iraq represents an opportunity for us to expand our business. We will continue to invest in Iraq, empowering the local economy and helping it expand its business and tourism presence,” added Ahmed Khoory.
Related Content
