Emirates announces new Dublin-Dubai service
The Emirates airline is to begin a new daily Dublin-Dubai service from January, it was announced today.
The new long-haul service will operate from Dublin Airport's Terminal 2.
Transport chiefs have said it will expand the airport’s direct links to the Middle East and its onward connections into India, Africa, South East Asia, Australasia and China.
“We are delighted to welcome Emirates to Dublin and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with our newest customer,” said DAA Chief Executive Declan Collier.
“The improvements in Dublin Airport’s facilities in recent years, including the opening of Terminal 2, and our new long-haul gates in Pier E, was a major factor in winning this new service for Ireland,” Mr Collier added.
Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar also welcomed the news, saying it would "provide greater ease of access to Ireland from the emerging tourism markets in the Middle East and Asia" and it would also be significant in developing stronger trade links with these regions.
"This is great news for Irish passengers, for Dublin Airport and for the wider economy," Minister Varadkar said.
"It’s also a very welcome stimulus for our tourism industry."
The new route was also welcomed by Tourism Ireland as well as Dublin Chamber of Commerce.
Emirates will operate daily flights to Dubai from January 9 with an Airbus A330-200 operating in a three-class configuration, offering passengers a choice of First, Business and Economy class travel.
The new Dublin-Dubai service will have a daily departure from Dublin at 12.55pm arriving in Dubai at 12.25am the following day. The return flight leaves Dubai at 7am with a scheduled arrival in Dublin at 11.30am.
Emirates, which is the world’s sixth largest airline, operates services to more than 114 destinations in 67 countries.
