Emirates launches flight to Auckland via Bali

Emirates' inaugural flight was welcomed at Auckland airport with a water cannon salute.

Emirates has launched a new daily service from Dubai to Auckland via Bali.

The new service offers travellers a total of three daily services to New Zealand, complementing Emirates' existing non-stop daily A380 service between Dubai and Auckland and its current daily A380 service between Dubai and Christchurch via Sydney.

Travellers will now also enjoy a choice of three daily services between Dubai to Bali in the summer, as the new flight adds to Emirates' two existing daily services which are currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER in a two-class configuration.

The inaugural flight was welcomed at both Denpasar and Auckland airports with a water cannon salute.

Emirates' new Dubai-Bali-Auckland flight provides the only year-round non-stop daily service between Auckland and Bali. The airline is operating a 777-300ER on the route, offering eight seats in first, 42 seats in business and 304 seats in economy class, as well as 20 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity. The new service will also be the first Emirates Bali flight to offer passengers the airline's first class product.

Sir Tim Clark, president of Emirates airline, said: "We are very pleased to see the interest this new route has created since it was announced in mid-February, reflected in strong bookings from Auckland to Bali and beyond, as well as southbound from our global network. Markets such as the UK, Europe and the Middle East have all responded keenly to the new option provided by us opening up this route. Bali and Auckland are both desirable destinations in the eyes of our customers."

- business@khaleejtimes.com