Emirates to increase service to Manchester

Emirates airlines said it would replace the aircraft currently servicing its Dubai-Manchester route - a Boeing 777- with an Airbus A380 by February 1, 2015. The introduction of the second daily A380 means that half of Emirates� 16 daily flights to the United Kingdom would be operated by an A380 from February. A statement by the airline to the GNA said the second daily A380 would increase Emirates� capacity from Manchester by 13 per cent, with over 20 per cent of this increase in the premium cabins. The upgraded service would feature 14 seats in First Class, 76 in Business Class and 427 in Economy. Hubert Frach, Emirates Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations West, said: �Manchester is the third busiest airport in the UK and demand for flights to Dubai and beyond has increased significantly during our 25 years of operating out of the airport. "At Emirates we are committed to providing our customers with the very best service possible. The introduction of a second daily A380 aircraft will not only help more leisure and business passengers to travel in and out of Manchester, but also offer them the world-class travel experience that is synonymous with Emirates. "With eight daily A380 flights into the UK and an ever expanding global A380 network, Emirates continues to set the industry benchmark in both A380 connectivity and customer experience." The Emirates A380 offers spacious seating in Economy Class, access to the world�s only on-board shower spas for First Class passengers and the onboard lounge, where First Class and Business Class passengers could socialise at 40,000 feet. Ken O�Toole, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: �We welcome Emirates� addition of a second daily A380 service at Manchester Airport from 1st February. �Manchester is the only UK airport outside of London that the A380, the world�s largest passenger aircraft, flies to. "Customers will now have the choice of two daily A380 and one Boeing 777 flights, to travel direct from Manchester to Dubai. �This additional flight confirms Manchester as the northern gateway and highlights the ongoing demand from passengers to fly from Manchester Airport. It is testament to the success of our Fly Manchester campaign and the strength the airport offers to long-haul carriers.� Popular destinations from around the Emirates network into Manchester include Dubai, Australia, India, Singapore, Bangkok and Hong Kong � all destinations that already offer the Emirates A380 service, providing customers with a seamless A380 travel experience all the way through to Manchester.