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Spain’s victory to boost demand for Emirates services

DUBAI - Spain’s victory at the 2010 FIFA World Cup will heighten interest in Emirates’ next artery into Europe, the airline said.

Commenting on Spain’s triumph in South Africa, Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ senior vice-president, commercial operations, Europe and Russian Federation, said: “Madrid has already turned to be a fast selling destination with very healthy forward bookings for our August 1 launch — even before FIFA. Now, we expect interest to intensify in our next European destination.”

“Adding Madrid to our network at a time when Emirates’ branding has been so prominent in South Africa is a winning combination. However, Emirates much prefers to hand out boarding cards rather than yellow cards...” Obaidalla added.

The airline also expects further interest in its daily service to the Netherlands, runners up in the world’s greatest football spectacle.

Emirates holds Official Partner status of the FIFA World Cup in an agreement running from 2007-2014.

The daily, non-stop service to Madrid is one of five new destinations to be announced by the airline so far this year. The starting whistle for Tokyo was blown on March 28, Amsterdam kicked off May 1, Prague scored with the start services on July 1, and Dakar is ready for its opening round on September 1. Last month, more than 800 guests from across the business and diplomatic community converged on Madrid’s Palacio de los Deportes to be introduced to the airline and Dubai ahead of the Madrid launch.

Speaking at the road show gala event on 10^th June, the eve of the World Cup, Richard Vaughan, the airline’s divisional senior vice-president, commercial operations, Worldwide, said: “We look forward to working with you all to make this route a real success - and a good news story for business, tourism and for travellers. The only thing we can’t promise, even as an Official FIFA Partner, is that Spain will win the World Cup”

When flights start on August 1, Emirates will deploy an Airbus A330-200 on the route, offering 12 seats in First Class, 42 in business and 183 in economy.

Travellers from Dubai will catch EK141 at 0750hrs and arrive in Madrid at 1345hrs. Travelling to Dubai, EK 142 leaves Madrid at 1525hrs and gets into Dubai at 0030hrs the following day.

Emirates currently flies to 103 destinations in 63 countries with a fleet of 149 aircraft including 11 A380s.

business@khaleejtimes.com