Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has announced plans to enhance its operations in Australia, including upgrades to its flights and the addition of new services.
Starting from October 1, Emirates will upgrade its second daily flight EK430/431 between Dubai and Brisbane to an A380 aircraft, providing passengers with an enhanced travel experience.
The A380 flight will depart Dubai at 0230hrs and arrive in Brisbane at 2220hrs, with the return flight departing Brisbane at 0155hrs and landing in Dubai at 1005hrs, all local times.
In addition, Emirates will introduce a second daily service between Dubai and Perth, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
This new service will commence on 1 December, with flight EK424 departing Dubai at 0915hrs and arriving in Perth at 0005hrs the following day.
The return flight, EK425, will depart from Perth at 0600hrs and reach Dubai at 1310hrs, all local times.
Barry Brown, Divisional Vice President Australasia at Emirates, said: “We’re pleased to offer more choice and opportunities for Australians travelling from Brisbane and Perth through the ramp up of our operations. It’s a demonstration of the importance of both gateways for tourism and trade, and Emirates’ commitment to ensure convenient schedules and comfortable connections to and through Dubai.
“Whether it’s the advantage of seamless afternoon connections from Dubai to a wealth of destinations across Europe on the second Perth flight, or a full A380 experience to and from Brisbane to close to 50 cities served by our flagship, we’re creating access to diverse opportunities for business, leisure, culture, and more. The ramp-up is also a testament to our commitment in enhancing global connectivity to our Australian gateways and supporting tourism and trade growth opportunities.”
Gert-Jan de Graaff, Brisbane Airport Chief Executive Officer, acknowledged Emirates as the primary carrier for European travel from Brisbane and highlighted the airline’s efforts to reduce noise impacts on the community during overnight flights over Moreton Bay. De Graaff applauded Emirates’ performance and expressed anticipation for continued collaboration.
The Western Australian government’s Acting Tourism Minister, John Carey, hailed the announcement as a significant stride in rebuilding the state’s aviation capacity and bolstering Perth’s global standing as Australia’s Western Gateway. Carey underscored the importance of securing additional direct aviation services in driving tourism, injecting visitor spend into the economy, and creating jobs in the tourism and hospitality sectors.
Perth Airport’s Chief Operating Officer, Scott Woodward, lauded the reintroduction of Emirates’ second daily service as a boon for the Perth market, with an impressive 250,000 seats per year now available on this popular route.
Woodward emphasised that the increased capacity would attract more international visitors to Western Australia and commended Emirates for its commitment to the region.
By upgrading its A380 operations to Brisbane and reinstating the second service to Perth, Emirates will add an extra 6,900 seats per week to its capacity in Australia, catering to the growing demand for international travel through Dubai and beyond.
Moreover, the airline’s enhanced connectivity will benefit travelers seeking seamless options to Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
The additional A380 flights will also provide a boost in seat capacity for customers traveling from Brisbane to various popular destinations.
Emirates’ ability to upgrade its second Brisbane service to the A380 was made possible by the Queensland government’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, which has facilitated increased travel and business opportunities in Queensland.
Currently, Emirates operates 63 weekly flights to Brisbane, Perth, Sydney, and Melbourne, serving 56,000 passengers per week with a mix of A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft.
The airline has also announced the expansion of its Premium Economy offering on flights to Melbourne, further enriching the travel experience for its customers.
Passengers flying to Australia with Emirates can expect an exceptional onboard experience, featuring regionally inspired multi-course menus and a wide selection of premium beverages.
The airline’s award-winning in-flight entertainment system, ice, offers over 6,500 channels of carefully curated global entertainment content, including movies, TV shows, music, podcasts, games, and audiobooks.
