Emirates launches Spain’s first A380 service

Monday, 10 February 2014 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Emirates has launched the first regular A380 service to Spain with daily A380 flights to Barcelona replacing the Boeing 777 previously operated on the route. Adding over 2,200 seats per week between Dubai and Barcelona, Emirates’ newly-expanded operation is a direct response to strong passenger demand. It will also help contribute to Spain’s economic growth and enable more passengers to experience its flagship A380 product. Barcelona joins a host of 25 other major cities around the world to be served by an Emirates A380. Travelling on the commemorative flight from Dubai was Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Europe and the Russian Federation Thierry Aucoc. The aircraft was welcomed by key officials including: Sonia Corrochano, Director of Barcelona – El Prat Airport and Richard Font, Generalitat, Routes Committee President.

After a welcome reception, VIPs, Barcelona Airport executives, Civil Aviation Authority officials and media enjoyed a guided static tour of the double-decker aircraft. The tour gave the guests a chance to see first-hand the innovations provided for passengers on-board. Barcelona-El Prat Airport set a new record in 2013 with over 35 million passengers passing through its facilities. Over 50,000 of those passengers travelled to the United Arab Emirates, according to the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce’s Air Route Committee. The city welcomed almost more than 5 million visitors between January and September of last year, with more than 500,000 visitors coming to attend the over 800 international congresses, further benchmarking Barcelona’s attractiveness as a business tourism destination. Furthermore, Barcelona has become the top city in the world by number of delegates, and third ranked for number of international congresses held in the city, according to the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA). The 517-seat Emirates A380 offers 14 Private First Class Suites, 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 427 spacious seats in Economy Class. 185 will depart Dubai at 0740hrs and arrive in Barcelona at 1210hrs. EK 186 will take off daily from Barcelona at 1525hrs and land in Dubai at 0045hrs the following day. Emirates has the world’s largest A380 fleet with 44 of these aircraft serving 26 global destinations. One in every three A380s in the sky today is an Emirates aircraft.