Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has touched down in the Scottish capital Edinburgh for the first time since 2020. The Emirates Boeing 777 received a warm welcome from the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, captivating passengers with an extraordinary display of musical prowess on the ground.
Edinburgh is Emirates’ eighth destination in the U.K. The daily service will complement the airline’s current A380 daily flight to Glasgow – offering customers 14 weekly flights to and from the country.
“The U.K. is one of our most important markets, and we’re proud to reinstate our footprint in Scotland – a country that’s loved by visitors from around the world. Scottish customers can look forward to an elevated travel experience onboard, initially with our Boeing 777 ahead of our highly anticipated A350 arrival. With 14 weekly flights to and from the country – passengers can now easily connect to popular long-haul destinations such as Thailand, Australia, and of course, the vibrant city of Dubai,” stated Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ deputy president and chief commercial officer.
Increased cargo capacity
Emirates’ cargo capacity will help support more industries across Scotland, offering more efficient and reliable transport solutions for businesses across the region to access international markets more quickly to meet demand.
“We are already looking forward to the introduction of the airline’s first A350, which offers passengers the chance to experience Emirates’ acclaimed premium economy product and its brand new business class cabin,” stated Gordon Dewar, chief executive of Edinburgh Airport.
Tourism, trade boost
Emirates will play a crucial role in boosting tourism to Scotland. According to Visit Scotland, the country welcomed four million international visitors in 2023, a 23 percent increase compared to 2022, contributing £3.59 billion to the economy.
Emirates’ flight operations to Edinburgh will help attract more visitors from top inbound markets including Australia and India, and across the airline’s global network of over 140 destinations. Moreover, they will help raise awareness and visibility around the country’s unique experiences and landscapes.
Emirates’ daily flight to Edinburgh will also boost cargo capacity and enable Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s cargo arm, to uplift 16 tons of cargo per flight, supporting local businesses, improving trade links with global markets, and increasing popular high-value and time-sensitive goods.
Read: Etihad Airways’ Airbus A380 returns to Paris
U.K. network expands
Emirates serves the U.K. with 133 weekly flights across eight gateways including London Heathrow, London Gatwick, London Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle, and Glasgow. The airline utilizes a fleet mix of Emirates A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. Customers onboard can look forward to the airline’s regionally inspired gourmet meals, premium beverage selection, and inflight entertainment on ice with up to 6,500 channels of on-demand entertainment.
Emirates’ daily service to Edinburgh departs Dubai at 14:50 local time and arrives in Edinburgh at 19:05 local time. The return flight departs Edinburgh at 20:40 and arrives in Dubai at 08:05, the following day.
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