Emirates scores a double with first-ever A380 services to Bangkok and Toronto

Emirates has scored a double as two of its A380 super jumbos jetted off from Dubai to the opposite ends of the globe, marking the aviation world's first A380 commercial services to Bangkok and Toronto.

The launch of the Emirates A380 daily flights to Bangkok and thrice weekly to Toronto - signals a new era of luxury air travel to Thailand and Canada, and represents another milestone in the airline's A380 schedule.

The new Emirates A380 to Bangkok took off from Emirates' new home, Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, carrying 488 passengers, and the landed to a festive welcome by the Thai government at Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Meanwhile the Emirates A380 to Toronto departed Dubai with 458 passengers and was the first commercial A380 jet to touch down on Canadian soil.

Senior management from Emirates flew on the two inaugural services. On arrival in Bangkok and Toronto, the A380 was unveiled to local media, travel trade and key government officials.

The A380 is the world's only twin-deck airliner, with 35 per cent more seats than its closest rival. It is the most environmentally-advanced commercial aircraft in the sky today, offering better fuel economy than most hybrid passenger cars. The A380 burns up to 20 per cent less fuel per seat than today's next largest aircraft, and is quieter, generating less than half the noise of other aircraft on takeoff.

Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline said: "Emirates is delighted to celebrate its inaugural A380 services to Thailand and Canada. The aircraft with its large capacity and excellent operating economies is a pillar of growth, both for the airline and the destination. In Thailand, the introduction of the super jumbo will support the local government's multi-million dollar promotional drive to boost tourism arrivals from the high-yield Middle East region. At the same time the higher-capacity A380 will help address the strong demand for passenger and cargo services on the Dubai-Toronto route which is currently restricted by the bi-lateral agreement to three flights per week."

Hailing the arrival of Emirates' A380 as a positive development for Thailand's tourism industry, Mr. Chaisak Angkasuwan, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport, Thailand said: "We are delighted Emirates selected Bangkok as the first Far East gateway for its revolutionary A380 product. Our current marketing and trade campaigns focus on promoting Thailand as an ideal holiday destination in the Middle East. We welcome the opportunity to partner with Emirates to grow the tourism potential from this region."

Lloyd McCoomb, President and CEO of the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) said: "The GTAA is honoured to be part of this historic day. We are pleased that this route has proven so successful for Emirates and we are very excited to welcome the A380 to Toronto Pearson. This is exactly what this airport was rebuilt for - to allow for new and larger aircraft that will be the future of the airline business."

Mr. Clark added: "With air travel due to triple in the next 18 years and constraints on traffic rights and airport slots to continue, larger capacity aircraft such as the A380 are key to Emirates' plans to meet increasing passenger demand. We have ordered 58 A380s and each one of these has been carefully planned for our present and future requirements. Our next A380 destination will be Seoul on 1st December, and will represent Emirates' first A380 service to North East Asia."

About Emirates:
Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, is one of the world's most successful and rapidly-expanding airlines. With a focus on high quality service and industry-leading products, Emirates has received more than 400 international awards and accolades for excellence since its inception in 1985. Emirates is currently the only airline to operate non-stop flights to six continents from one hub.

Emirates PR Contact:
Radhika Markan
Emirates Corporate Communications
New EGHQ
5th Floor
Opposite DXB Airport
P O Box 686
Dubai
United Arab Emirates
(+9714) 708 2181
www.emirates.com