Emirates boosts Rome services with third daily flight

Monday, 19 March 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, will boost its operations in Italy this October as the airline adds a third daily flight to Rome. This will take the total number of flights offered to Italy to 56 a week.

Starting 1 October, EK 099 will leave Dubai at 0315hrs and will arrive in Rome’s Leonardo da Vinci airport at 0735hrs.

The return flight, EK 100, departs Rome at 1120hrs and arrives in Dubai at 1910hrs. The new service will be operated by a 237-seat Airbus A330-200 in a three-class configuration that offers 12 luxurious First Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 183 passengers in Economy Class. The aircraft also will add a total of 15 tonnes of cargo-carrying capacity to the route.

“The third daily service to Rome represents another significant initiative that is part of Emirates’ partnership with Italy. Emirates is committed to offering more capacity to travellers in addition to giving customers more choice in seamlessly connecting to points across the Far and Middle East, Indian sub-continent and Africa all while experiencing the most comfortable and entertaining experience in the sky,” said Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Europe and Russian Federation Salem Obaidalla, adding, “We will continue to invest in Italy, empowering the local economy and helping it expand its business and tourism presence.”

“The public announcement of the third daily flight by Emirates is strong evidence and an authentic proof of the successful relationship existing between ADR – Aeroporti di Roma and the Dubai based airline,” said ADR Chairman Fabrizio Palenzona. “Without a doubt, Emirates represents a strategic partner in ensuring further traffic growth between Rome and all the main long haul routes in Asia, Australia and a large part of Africa. After being the first airport in Italy able to welcome the A380, thanks to the investment for a new dedicated loading bridge, we’re now looking forward in cutting the ribbon in October for this new additional flight,” he added.

Rome is currently served twice daily by Emirates. Coupled with a triple daily service to Milan commencing on 1 June and a double daily flight to Venice beginning 25 March, the increased weekly frequencies will contribute to a burgeoning trade relationship between Italy and the UAE worth $4.6 billion.

With a fleet of 171 aircraft, and 233 on order, Emirates is the world’s largest Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator. Emirates currently flies to 122 destinations in 72 countries.

Emirates recently commenced services to Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Lusaka, Harare, Dallas and Seattle, and will be launching Ho Chi Minh City on 4 June, Barcelona on 3 July and Lisbon from 9 July.