Emirates [EMIRA.UL] - Emirates unveils major expansion

Emirates unveils major expansion across Asia Pacific

4th November 2009

In a major expansion spanning two months, Emirates will
advance its footprint in Asia Pacific with planned capacity
enhancements to Bangkok, Sydney, Manila and Jakarta.

Starting December 2009, Emirates will introduce a fourth daily
service to Bangkok, a third daily service to Sydney, two
additional flights to Manila and one additional service to
Jakarta.

17 flights per week will be added between December 2009 and
January 2010, representing 13 % growth in seat capacity. Post
increase, the airlines operation in Asia Pacific will escalate
to 187 flights per week.

Richard Jewsbury, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations
Far East and Australasia said: The Middle East is one of the few
regions that continues to record steady traffic growth,
demonstrated by an 8% expansion in passenger demand since the
beginning of the year. At the same time, Asian markets are
rebounding with reports of resurgent traffic at key airports in
the region. We are confident of seeing a recovery soon and are
introducing additional capacity to serve the increasing demand

Echoing this positive sentiment, Dubai International Airport
reported its fourth consecutive month of double-digit passenger
growth in September 2009, with a 35% jump in traffic from Asia.
Bangkoks Suvarnabhumi Airport also roared ahead with 22.4%
year-on-year growth.

Bangkok

Emirates fourth daily service to Bangkok comes into effect
on 2nd December operated by a state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300 in
a three class configuration (12 First, 42 Business and 310
Economy Class seats). The flights will support Thailands
economic recovery by boosting tourist arrivals from Dubai and
the larger Middle East a region the Tourism Authority of
Thailand has consistently targeted through multi-million dollar
programmes including the recent Jump to Amazing Thailand
campaign. The extension of visa fees exemption for Thailand
until March 2010 is expected to generate more tourist traffic
which will be served by Emirates additional flights.

Cargo will also receive an impetus. Thai exporters of
electronic parts, cosmetic products, pharmaceuticals and
perishables, and importers of automotive and machine parts,
medical equipment, chemicals and chilled foodstuff stand to
benefit from the additional 161 tonnes of capacity introduced
per week per direction on the route.

Sydney

Starting 2nd December, the Australian city of Sydney will
receive its third-daily Emirates flight on Mondays, Wednesday,
Fridays and Sundays. The service will be stepped up to cover
Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with effect from 2nd January
2010, bringing Emirates weekly capacity to 70 flights. The
expansion reflects yet another commitment by Emirates in
Australia.

The flights departure from Sydney has been timed to offer
same day service to Europe one of Australias key outbound
markets. The eagerly-anticipated service presents Sydneysiders
with the opportunity to have breakfast in Sydney, lunch in Dubai
and dinner in Europe.

The additional services combined with Emirates recent
interline agreement with Virgin Blue (offering convenient
domestic connections within Australia) means enhanced access for
Middle East passengers travelling Down Under, as well as for
Australians travelling to Dubai and beyond.

Manila

In December Emirates will enhance its existing EK 332
service to Manila to include Thursdays, and EK 334 to include
Mondays. Post expansion the operation will grow from 12 flights
a week to 14 flights or a double-daily service on every day of
the week. The additional flights will be operated by a Boeing
777-300ER aircraft offering 42 Business and 400 Economy Class
seats, as well as 16.7 tonnes of cargo capacity. Filipinos will
benefit from the increased access to global markets, as will the
countrys exporters of aircraft parts, computer parts, electronic
components, handicrafts and perishables. The extra flights will
also facilitate seamless import of personal and household goods,
perfume products, medical equipment and automotive parts into
Manila.

Jakarta

The Indonesian capital city will receive an additional
Emirates service with effect from 6th December, bringing its
total operation to 11 flights per week. The service will operate
to Jakarta every Sunday, returning to Dubai the following day.
The ultra-modern Emirates' Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in a
two-class configuration of 42 Business and 400 Economy will be
used. The additional frequency will enhance connectivity for
Indonesias business and leisure community travelling to Europe,
as well as for inbound Middle East tourists visiting the
archipelago. The 16.7 tonnes cargo capacity on the flight will
facilitate export of fruit, fish, textiles and computer parts.

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