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Monday, 14 September 2015 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Exchange of mementos to mark the launch of direct Emirates flights to Orlando
Emirates Airbus A380 used for inaugural flight was the first scheduled landing by a A380 at Orlando airport
Emirates staff aptly dressed to welcome passengers in inaugural flight to Orlando - the home to Disney World
Emirates: Global connectors of people, places and economies
Emirates Chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum speaking at the ceremony at the Orlando Airport to welcome the inaugural flight on 1 September said it was a pleasure for the airline to be in Orlando and celebrate the launch of Emirates’ newest route.
“On behalf of Emirates I like to say just how pleased we are to be able to finally make this happen. Orlando is a destination we have wanted to serve for many years and the commencement of Emirates’ flights is the result of over five years of work with the airport,” recalled the Chairman.
He said Emirates is proud to be global connectors of people, places and economies. The Chairman referred to the fact that the inaugural flight brought on it passengers from over 29 countries including the US, Middle East, South Asia and Africa. “This,” he said is “a powerful demonstration of that point.”
He said Emirates expects the daily service to significantly expand Orlando’s commercial and cultural connections with Dubai as well as with the airline’s global network. Orlando became the 10th gateway to the US after Emirates began serving America in 2004.
“Our formula for growth is simple. We offer a world-class travel experience, one that over 11 million passengers on our US routes have experienced in the past decade,” emphasised Al Maktoum
“Thank you for welcoming Emirates to Orlando. We are honoured to call your city our new home and to connect travellers from Central Florida with their family, friends and business partners around the world. On behalf of all my colleagues at Emirates airline, it is my pleasure to say “Hello Orlando,” Al Maktoum added.
Soon after the ceremony, Orlando officials and invitees toured the state-of-the-art Airbus A380 chosen to commemorate the inaugural flight and enable the guests to experience the Emirates brand, and to see first-hand why the airline has won multiple awards for its product and service. For the daily service from 2 September onwards, Emirates is using an American-built Boeing 777-200LR and GE-90 engines.
Florida, Orlando political leaders shower praise on Emirates for major boost
In a statement released to mark the launch of Emirates, Florida Governor Rick Scott said: “Florida is on a mission to become the global leader in job creation and we are excited about the new Emirates nonstop flight between Orlando and Dubai.”
“We welcomed more than 97 million visitors to our state last year and every 85 tourists, creates another Florida job. We know our tourism industry helps grow our economy and that is why we are investing $ 145 million at the Orlando International Airport to expand the South Terminal Complex so we can continue to increase domestic and international air service, like the new Emirates flight,” he added.
“Emirates’ nonstop service to Orlando opens a new world of opportunity for us to pursue tourism and business exchanges with the Middle East, Africa and Asia,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer via statement. “Business and leisure tourism is critical to Central Florida’s economy and this new direct service will make it easier for travellers to get to and from Orlando, creating new jobs and opportunities for our residents,” he added.
Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs who was present at the Orlando airport to welcome the inaugural Emirates flight and passengers said benefits to Orlando economy from Emirates entry goes far beyond the $ 100 million estimated. “With Emirates daily services Orlando and Orange County is further connecting to regions and economies across the world especially the Middle East, Asia and Africa via Emirates. This is a big boost for leisure and business travellers. We are extremely honoured and excited by Emirates launch and we hope Emirates will benefit as well by exploring Orlando,” she added.
The mayor said in 2014 Orlando shattered the domestic visitation record ranking number one in the US with 62 million visitors. Early this year Orlando ranked number one destination in the US conventions and meetings. “Orlando brand is not only one of the best places in the world to visit but also one of the best places in the world to live and do business. We are excited about what the future holds. Welcome to Orlando and best wishes to Emirates’ continued success and growth in our partnership,” Mayor Jacobs added.
Greater Orlando Aviation Authority Chairman Frank Kruppenbacher described the day as ‘extraordinarily historic’ for Greater Orlando. “Emirates is not just another airline that decided to operate to Orlando but it is the largest in the world,” he added.
“The benefits of this new daily service will be measured both financially and culturally. The $ 100 million annual economic impact to Central Florida will be coupled with the potential to connect to diverse cultures of the world,” he said adding that 1,400 additional jobs will be created as well.
“Emirates entry and connection is one step further towards bringing the world as a family together. It enables people in Central Florida to fly as far as to see the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India and Palm Island, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. We have not had that opportunity in the past,” Frank added.
For Orlando International Airport (MCO) said Emirates services will further help Orlando’s growth. Record passenger growth continues at Orlando International Airport. For the month of July, the latest reported month, traffic was up 8.2% compared to 2014. Record numbers of international passengers fuelled the growth. International volume increased 19.5% in July when compared to the same month of the previous year. “The international growth is expected to continue through September with the arrival of Emirates daily service,” the airport said.
Orlando International Airport serves nearly 37 million annual passengers, of which 12.5% are international. MCO is the second busiest airport in Florida. In its ongoing efforts to value and delight its customers, Orlando International Airport has embarked on a series of Capital Improvements valued at over $ 1.3 billion and has approved designing a new South Terminal project all aimed at enhancing The Orlando Experience. By 2017, Orlando will be among the first destinations with on-airport intermodal facilities in the US and the first airport in Florida to conveniently support air travel, ground transportation and rail.
The US-built Boeing 777-200 LR aircraft which is being used for the regular scheduled service to Orlando can seat 266 passengers, including eight private First Class Suites, 42 Business Class lie-flat beds and 216 spacious Economy Class seats. Emirates operates a fleet of 143 Boeing 777s, the most of any airline in the world.
Emirates flight EK 219 will depart Dubai International Terminal 3 (IATA code: DXB) at 03:50 hours local time and arrive at Orlando International Airport (IATA code: MCO) Terminal B at 11:40 hours local time, a flying time of 15 hours 50 minutes. The return flight, EK 220 will depart Orlando International at 14:20 hours and arrive into Dubai at 12:30 the following day, a 14 hour 10 minute flight.
Emirates has historically increased its service capacity by up-gauging from Boeing 777 models to the A380 to meet strong consumer demand. In December 2014, Emirates commenced A380 service to Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which joined John F. Kennedy International Airport, Los Angeles Airport, San Francisco International Airport and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport as US destinations offering direct service to Dubai on the Emirates A380.
Connecting Orlando and beyond for business and leisure
Orlando is famous for its world-class theme parks, family entertainment and year round sunshine which bring in over 62 million visitors each year. It also has a strong business base with thriving industries in advanced technology, film and digital media production, aerospace and life sciences.
Emirates customers can also connect seamlessly onto many destinations in the US, the Caribbean and South America through the airline’s codeshare partner JetBlue’s regional hub in Orlando, which serves 24 cities including San Juan in Puerto Rico; Bogota, Colombia and Nassau, The Bahamas.
The Emirates world in the sky
Emirates passengers in all cabin classes enjoy renowned service provided by a multilingual crew representing more than 130 nationalities, savour regionally inspired gourmet cuisine and immerse themselves in the award-winning in-flight entertainment system – ice Digital Widescreen – offering more than 2,000 channels of movies, TV programs, music, games and podcasts in a three-cabin configuration featuring eight private First Class suites, 42 Business Class suites with lie-flat beds and 216 Economy Class seats. First Class and Business Class passengers can also travel to and from the airport (up to a distance of 90 miles around Orlando International Airport) via Emirates complimentary Chauffeur-driven service.
Parents flying with children are well-attended with access to free strollers at Dubai International Airport, a choice of children’s toys, specially prepared children’s meals and dedicated children’s channels on board to keep younger passengers entertained.
Emirates in the US: A growth story with more planned
Adel Al Redha
Emirates Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer Adel Al Redha who was part of the official team for the inaugural flight to Orlando told the Daily FT that the airline will serve more US destinations as well as enhanced frequencies going forward.
"We are planning to deploy additional destinations and flights to the US. We will announce those at the right time," he said. He said that Orlando which is the 10th gateway to the US is important. "Orlando and Florida has been under served to date by carriers from the Middle East. The direct service by Emirates will help people in all parts of the world, from all regions. Florida and particular Orlando is a world famous destination for family holidays and businesses, conferences. So Emirates will be boosting tourism and businesses," Adel said.
He also said that the US market was very important to Emirates. "US market is big and has great potential to grow further. When considering our services to Europe, the operations to US is just at the top. Given the large US population and travel the scope is considerable," Adel added.
Emirates’ ties with the US have grown along two parallel tracks: route expansion that now connects their Dubai hub with nine cities across the country, and an unparalleled commitment to purchasing US-made aircraft, most latest with an order for 150 Boeing 777Xs worth $ 80 billion – the largest aircraft order by value in the history of US commercial aviation. Emirates is already the largest operator of Boeing 777s in the world, with 145 passenger aircraft and 14 freighters now in its fleet.
Emirates began non-stop passenger flights between Dubai and New York City in June 2004 and since then has expanded to Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Seattle, Washington, DC, Boston, and Chicago, with Orlando.
Emirates currently operates 91 passenger flights per week between Dubai and the US – four times daily to New York with three direct services and one via Milan; and daily services to the other nine points. Second daily services to Seattle and Boston commence in July and October 2015. Emirates operates the Boeing 777-300ER to four of its US destinations. It also operates the Airbus A380, powered by US-made GE GP7200 engines to Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. In the past decade Emirates has carried over 11.3 million passengers on its US flights and had a high seat factor of 84% in 2014.
Emirates also helps link the US with emerging markets that will further drive American economic growth, trade and job creation – including 15 points in the Middle East, 23 points in Africa, and 42 points in Asia Pacific.
Emirates SkyCargo’s US freighter network includes 14 weekly services to Chicago, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, New York and Columbus. It also has belly-hold cargo services on its passenger flights to San Francisco, Seattle, Washington DC, Boston and Dallas. Flights between the US and Dubai have carried 518,000 tons of high value goods since 2004. With the introduction of additional passenger and freighter services to new and existing points, Emirates’ weekly cargo capacity from the US will reach over 2,000 tons by October 2015.
Ricky Martin performs at gala reception at Dr. Phillips Centre for the Performing Arts in Orlando to celebrate Emirates inaugural flight
