New Dubai Route Announced

ANA – Lisbon Airport, 13th February 2012

Press Release

Lisbon Airport welcomes new Emirates flight to Dubai

Lisbon Airport (ANA) welcomes today’s announcement from Emirates Airlines that it will begin a new daily Lisbon-Dubai service from 9 July. The new long-haul service will be the first direct link to the Middle East and will facilitate further connectivity into India, China, Eastern Africa and Australasia, a key strategic goal for the Lisbon Airport.

“We are delighted to welcome Emirates to Lisbon and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with our newest airline client. This exciting announcement from Emirates brings a new and highly valued international airline partner to Lisbon” said Lisbon Airport Director João Nunes. “The improvements in Lisbon Airport’s facilities in recent years, including the opening of new long-haul gates delivered as part of the Lisbon Airport Expansion Plan project were a major factor in winning this new route for Portugal and convincing Emirates to invest in Lisbon.” Mr Nunes added. “We have been in talks with Emirates for several years about a possible Lisbon-Dubai service and our perseverance has paid off. Emirates have established a high level of excellence and admiration within the aviation community and we are confident that passengers will be eager to take advantage of the new route for travel to the Middle East and beyond. Connectivity is essential for business and for tourism and this new flight and the onward connections that it will provide will be very beneficial for the Portuguese economy,” Mr Nunes said he added.

“Lisbon has been on our European wish-list for some time. Our daily flight will link this far western corner of Europe with our strong route network, via Dubai, into Africa, across Asia and beyond, said Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline. “We will be the only carrier based in the Middle East operating into Portugal, bringing our refreshing approach to customer service, our dynamic and inspiring approach to business, along with superb value for money.”

Emirates will operate daily flights to Dubai from 9 July with a Boeing 777-200ER operating in a three-class configuration, offering passengers a choice of 12 First class seats, 42 Business class and 220 Economy class travel. It will also give its Emirates SkyCargo business a direct service to Lisbon, as it will offer cargo capacity on every passenger flight with a capacity of 16ton. The new Lisbon-Dubai flight will have a daily departure from Lisbon at 17.55 arriving in Dubai at 04.35 the following day. The return flight leaves Dubai at 09.15 with a scheduled arrival in Lisbon at 14.45. 

Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, serves 121 destinations in 72 countries. From its industry leading hub in Dubai, the airline operates more than 1,200 departures per week to destinations in six continents. With a fleet of 169 modern aircraft, Emirates has a world-renowned reputation for service excellence, endorsed by hundreds of international awards.

 More information at www.emirates.com and http://routelab.ana.pt/DRD/Airport/index.htm?airport=Lisboa