Emirates Airlines celebrated its 10th anniversary in Ireland on Sunday 9th January 2022 with the flight UAE161/2 operated by A6-EGV Boeing 777-31H(ER) msn 38990. Dublin became Emirates 29th European route and its 119th globally and was one of 15 new passenger routes launched in 2012, which included Adelaide, Phuket, Ho Chi Minh, Rio, Harare and Barcelona .
On the 9th January 2012 the first service was operated by A6-EAG Airbus A330-200 msn 396 with the carrier having consistently having load factors in excess of 90% from the first day of operation, thus the Dublin route has exceeded all expectations as an A330-200 would serve the route for 2 to 3 years before being upgraded to an Boeing 777-300ER. The Dublin far exceed expectations becoming an Boeing 777-300(ER) route on 1 May 2012 operated by A6-EBC Boeing 777-36NER msn 32790.
The airline has carried more than 2.8 million passengers on 10,000 flights between Dublin and Dubai carrying over 130,000 tonnes of cargo between Dublin and Dubai, of which 72,000 tonnes comprised Irish exports, helping to support Irish businesses and Ireland’s thriving export market. The Dublin route launch has been one of the airline’s most successful in its 37-year history and despite having to scale back operations as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Enda Corneille, country manager Emirates, Ireland said “When we launched in Ireland 10 years ago, we were in the midst of a global recession and today, as we mark a major milestone, we are in the middle of a global pandemic. Back in 2012 there were those who couldn’t understand the rationale for launching the Dublin operation given the economic circumstances of the time. However, meticulous planning, a long-term vision, and the confidence both Emirates and our customers have in our product and service have proved the naysayers wrong.
The past 10 years have been exciting and the challenges we have faced have demonstrated just how flexible, agile and able an airline of Emirates’ size can be. This can be attributed to the strength of the Emirates brand, fantastic people, an outstanding product and service and continued investment in technology and innovation.
Our recent half-year results highlighted that we are well on the road to recovery with healthy revenue and a solid cash balance. If there has ever been a time to celebrate and recognise success it’s now. We are looking forward to getting together with our industry colleagues, later in the year, to mark our ten-year anniversary and look ahead to new milestones such as new aircraft, new route launches and renewed growth and success.”
Emirates is currently operating a daily service between Dublin and Dubai and onwards to more than 120 destinations and each Boeing 777 can carry up to 25 tonnes of cargo including critical pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, computer servers, electronic components, seafood, dairy and even thoroughbred horses. Enda Corneille is confident that Dublin route frequency will ramp up as travel demand gradually returns as markets re-open in Asia and New Zealand.
Speaking at media event in November Enda Corneille, country manager Emirates, Ireland said Dublin Airport needs to ambitious with its growth plan and procced with plans to Pier 5 in the South Apron which would enable Emirates to add a third daily morning frequency with a consistent B777 product.
Image Credit: Paul Berns
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 17 January 2022 All Rights Reserved
