[photopress:air_emirates.jpg,full,alignright]Emirates will launch its second daily service to Shanghai on February 1, 2008. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates’ Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide said: ‘Emirates’ current daily service to Shanghai has been exceptionally successful. From Shanghai, we currently offer excellent connections to Africa and Europe. . . ‘
‘We are seeing a sharp increase in demand since the UAE and Chinese governments have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate travel for Chinese tourist groups to the UAE.’
Since Emirates’ launch to Shanghai, the number of Chinese hotel visitors in Dubai has more than doubled from 32,265 in 2004 to 68,504 in 2006. Dubai imported $7.6 billion worth of Chinese goods and exported in excess of $134 million to China.
Emirates’ second daily will be served by the airline’s wide-bodied, plush Airbus A340-300 with 267 seats in a three-class configuration.
The problem is whether Dubai, as it stands, can be seen as a hub for international travel.
Dubai airport is not in the same league as Singapore or Hong Kong. Swapping flights there can be a chore.
Emirates is banking on the fact that its superior service – in which it is a world leader and challenges that of Singapore Airlines – is good enough to overcome the handicap of Dubai airport.
Source: Travel Daily News