Emirates to fly thrice daily to Frankfurt

Emirates, the leading international airline of the UAE, has introduced a new, daily Frankfurt flight which will take effect during the next winter schedule, making the city a triple daily service.

From 1 January, 2012, the airline’s morning service to Munich will also be upgraded to an A380 superjumbo, departing Dubai at 0910 hrs. and gets into Munich at 1245 hrs. one of two daily flights.

Emirates will be the first foreign airline to return the A380 to its home in Germany and the first carrier to operate an A380 to Munich, supporting the airport’s A380-readiness, a statement said.

“A third daily flight to Frankfurt and the German-built A380 serving Munich is another positive step in what is now a multi-billion US dollar relationship between Emirates and Germany, supporting thousands of German jobs,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ senior vice president, Commercial Operations, Europe & Russian Federation.

“Meeting clear demand is of direct benefit to consumers, who want more choice, and to the German economy. We know international air services are a key driver of economic growth — facilitating the flow of business and cargo and opening up new markets to German exporters and importers,” Obaidalla added.

“Frankfurt welcomes the third daily service by Emirates.

This will strengthen Frankfurt’s position as one of the leading hubs of international aviation,” said Petra Roth, Lord Mayor of Frankfurt.

Emirates is currently the biggest buyer of the Airbus superjumbo and one of the largest customers for the Airbus A350 aircraft.

The A380 programme alone is estimated to provide at least 40,000 direct and indirect German jobs.

Christian Ude, Lord Mayor of Munich, said: “Munich is looking forward to the Emirates’ A380.

Good connections to the Middle East are an essential catalyst for tourism from the region.

And as Lord Mayor of Munich, I would like to point out that key components of the extremely quiet A380 engine have been developed and produced in Munich at MTU.”

“Fair market access and open competition is good for Emirates, customers and the global economy.

Operating out of Dubai with its Open Skies policy, Emirates is well used to competition.

In the midst of extraordinary consolidation within our industry, we believe that the merits of competition are now more important than ever,” Obaidalla concluded.