Singapore joins Emirates’ Airbus A380 network
The 517-seat A380 aircraft will be deployed for flights EK354 and EK355 on the back of strong passenger demand in both directions, replacing the 354-seat Boeing 777-300ER, a 46% increase in capacity.
With the addition of A380 services, Emirates' total capacity across four daily services from Dubai to Singapore increases to 1,659 seats daily. The launch of A380 services confirms Changi Airport's status as Emirates' South East Asian hub with over 1,100 seats daily connecting through to Brisbane, Melbourne and Colombo and the strengthening of its vertically integrated business model via dnata's airport services, ground handling and catering operations.
"Emirates is currently operating a two week ad-hoc Airbus A380 service between Dubai and Singapore which has received extremely positive responses from our passengers. In light of this we have decided to bring our flagship aircraft to Singapore on a permanent basis. This follows our progressive build-up of services on this route over the last few years. Despite the current global economic uncertainty, we remain committed to the Singapore market adding significant seat capacity - over 2,200 seats a week - which is set to foster tourism and trade between Singapore, Dubai and beyond," said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Far East & Australasia.
"The signature Emirates A380 service is pivotal to our overall business strategy. Our passengers in Singapore can look forward to enjoying the widely admired and popular aircraft, known for its quietness, spaciousness and award-winning on-board products, all the way from Singapore into much of Europe that includes Amsterdam, London Heathrow, Manchester, Munich, Paris and Rome," added Mr Obaidalla.
The Emirates A380's three-class configuration boasts 14 private First Class Suites, 76 lie-flat beds in Business Class and 427 seats in Economy Class. Passengers across all cabins will get to enjoy over 1,400 channels on Emirates' award-winning Digital Widescreen inflight entertainment system, ice and stay connected to the Internet throughout their journey with high speed Wi-Fi access.
Emirates' A380 offers First and Business Class passengers the unique opportunity to socialise, relax and even do business in its onboard lounge. First Class passengers have the added luxury of two exquisitely designed onboard Shower Spas, offering them a revitalised and refreshed arrival at their destination.
Flight EK 354 departs Dubai daily at 0325hrs (local time) and arrives in Singapore at 1440hrs (local time). The return daily flight, EK 355 departs Singapore at 2135hrs (local time) and arrives in Dubai at 0100hrs (local time).
As the largest operator of the double-decker aircraft, Emirates' fleet of 23 A380s now serve Amsterdam, Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Hong Kong, Jeddah, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, London Heathrow, Manchester, Munich, New York JFK, Paris, Rome, Seoul, Shanghai, Sydney, Toronto, Tokyo from its Dubai Hub. Additional A380 destinations that are set to launch this year include Melbourne (from 1 October 2012) and both Singapore and Moscow (from 1 December 2012).
The demand for Emirates' services continues to gather pace on its global route network that spans over 120 destinations in 74 countries. Just last year, Emirates increased the frequency of flights on the Singapore-Dubai with seven additional weekly flights, bringing the total number of flights out of Singapore to 28 - the most number of direct Singapore-Dubai flights offered by any airline.