Emirates offers special student fares to Australia

Emirates has introduced special fares for students travelling to Australia, as part of the airline’s continuing support to Sri Lankans travelling overseas for higher education.

Two all-inclusive, one-way student fares to Melbourne and Sydney on Economy Class are priced at just Rs. 58,349 and Rs, 64,095 respectively, more than 10 per cent lower the standard fares, and are valid for purchase and outbound travel up to 14 June 2012.

Also on offer are competitive return fares to these two destinations from Rs. 102,394 upwards inclusive of taxes, and attractive one-way fares to Brisbane and Perth from 71,015 up, the airline said. All-inclusive return fares of Rs. 109,649 to Brisbane and Rs. 146,440 to Perth are also being marketed by Emirates during this period.

The announcement of the special fares coincides with the Australian Education Excellence Showcase 2012, an event organised by Austrade/Australian Government to exhibit the education options and opportunities in Australia for Sri Lankan students with the participation of 20 institutions from Australia.

Emirates is the Associate Sponsor of the Showcase for the second consecutive year. Last year’s event drew more than 350 students and was one of the most successful of the events that profiled Australian education capabilities.

This year, the Australian Education Excellence Showcase 2012 will be held on Saturday, 25 February 201 at the Taj Samudra Hotel.

“Emirates is a preferred choice of students travelling overseas, not just to Australia, because we make a special effort to provide them with the best travel options,” said Emirates Sales Manager in Sri Lanka Devika Ellepola. “These include price, destinations, connections, and our award-winning in-flight service.”

She added that Australia was a key destination for Emirates as large numbers of expatriates and leisure travellers fly the airline to that country in addition to students.

Emirates flies to Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane with ultra-modern, super-luxury Airbus A380 Superjumbo and Boeing 777 aircraft. The Airbus A380 currently operates to Sydney and will serve Melbourne from 1 October 2012. All aircraft are equipped with Emirates’ bespoke and award-winning in-flight system ‘ice’ (information, communication and entertainment) offering over 1000 channels of on-demand entertainment – the largest selection of programming in the sky. Passengers including students who avail of the special fares announced will also benefit from the generous Emirates baggage allowance of 30kg on Economy Class.

The number of Sri Lankans studying in Australia continues to increase, with over 6,000 Sri Lankan students enrolled in 2010-11 (September year-to-date), according to statistics of Australian Education International (AEI).

The winner of more than 500 top international awards, Emirates operates 70 flights a week to four cities in Australia and offers connections to 28 other points on the continent in collaboration with Virgin Australia. The Emirates network now comprises 118 destinations in 70 countries.