Emirates Sets Revised Launch Date for Baghdad Service

Emirates Airline has confirmed that it will now inaugurate its proposed Dubai – Baghdad route in November, 16 months later than originally planned. The airline had originally scheduled a July 2010 launch date for its three times weekly service, however, low demand resulted in it cancelling the route before it started. The airline now confirms that it will introduce a four times weekly flight from November 13 using an Airbus A330-200.

Emirates already operates flights to the Iraqi city of Basra, a route it carried an estimated 5,000 O&D passengers in its first two months of operation. “Our launch into Basra, Iraq in February this year has been a resounding success with flights operating in both directions at capacity. In the four months since we began operations to Iraq thousands of passengers have flown with Emirates between Basra and Dubai seeing the route perform well above expectations,” said Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group.

"Baghdad is a strategically important destination for Emirates. Its geographical location, coupled with the fact that few international carriers operate there, makes it the perfect destination for us to tap into and drive revenue from," he added.

Emirates expects the passenger mix travelling in and out of Iraq to come from a variety of sources, with a significant skew towards industry and Government personnel. The construction, telecommunications and oil sectors are expected to make up three of the largest industry segments.

Schedule:

EK941 DXB0755 – 0940BGW 332 x124
EK942 BGW1135 – 1455DXB 332 x124