Emirates Launches Bigger Aircraft on Lagos Route
By Ndubuisi Francis
Seven months after Emirates Airlines, the Dubai-based intercontinental carrier, began operation in Nigeria, the airline has introduced a larger aircraft, an Airbus A340-300, to operate the Dubai-Lagos route on two of the four weekly flights. The new aircraft will enable Emirates to meet the increase in demand for passenger and cargo services during the current busy summer months.
Emirates Country Manager, Nigeria, Guy Philips, said the A340-300, which will fly the Dubai-Lagos route on Mondays and Fridays, would increase the airline's weekly passenger and cargo capacity significantly. In essence, he said, Emirates now has the capability to carry 60 more passengers and an additional 8 cubic metres of cargo per week.
He added: "The use of a bigger aircraft half of our flights is a reflection of Emirates' success on this route. It's the best reward we could wish for the consistently high quality of service that we have delivered to our staff from the start".
The airline's Senior Cargo Executive in Nigeria, Donald Adekunle, said that Emirates' SkyCargo has also experienced a huge success since the beginning of operations.
According to him, Emirates has become the business partner of choice for the export of products such as live fish, fruits, reptiles, gemstones, handicraft, local crafts and garments. He disclosed that importers are increasingly patronising Emirates SkyCargo to bring medicines, industrial chemicals as well as industrial and household equipment into the country.
Adekunle said: "SkyCargo has moved more than 560 tonnes of freight into and out of the country within the first seven months of service operation. Demand is increasing and we are recording a higher volume of freight shipments every day. We couldn't be happier with the results we�ve had so far".
He described Emirates SkyCargo's entry into the Nigerian cargo industry as a welcome relief to many shippers as the company has made it easier and more convenient to connect to Dubai, its surrounding countries and onwards to the Far East.
About the uniqueness of the company's service offering, Adekunle said: "Just as in other countries, the Emirates SkyCargo operations are supported by the best crop of professional staff in the industry. We also rely on the most modern technology which helps us to guarantee the timeliness and safety of our customers� shipments".
Emirates SkyCargo's success ties in with the company's global expansion and success. This year alone, it has introduced services not only to Lagos and Accra but also to Budapest, Glasgow, Vienna, and Christ church and increased capacity to the existing freighter services to Shanghai and New York through the added belly-hold capacity of the aircraft used in the new passenger services on those routes.
In January 2004, Emirates commenced four weekly service from Lagos and Accra to Dubai, with onward connections to destinations in Europe, North America, the Indian sub-continent, Asia and Australasia. Emirates SkyCargo provides over 100 tonnes of cargo capacity each week, each way between Lagos and Accra, and Dubai.
Meanwhile, the airline has placed firm orders for four Boeing 777-300ER aircraft with nine options. The 13 aircraft have a list price value of US$2.96 billion.
The contract was signed by Emirates Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum and Boeing's President/CEO, Alan Mulally at the Farnborough Air Show in the UK today. Maurice Flanagan, Emirates' Vice Chairman & Group President, Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline and Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates' Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide were present.
The four aircraft on firm order will be delivered during 2006. They will be configured in First, Business and Economy cabins with 12, 42 and 310 seats respectively. The remaining nine are covered by purchase rights that extend through 2012.
Sheikh Ahmed said: "The 777 has proved to be an excellent aircraft for Emirates, and is extremely popular with our passengers, cargo customers and crew. The new Extended Range version will provide the reliability and the extra capacity for passengers and cargo which we will need. The low operating costs, renowned passenger approval, and the revenue capability from both cargo and passengers are the main reasons we selected the 777-300ER.
Emirates currently operates 21 Boeing 777-300s and 777-200s. Next year, delivery will start of a separate group of 26 777-300ERs from leasing companies as announced at the Paris Air Show last year. At that point, Emirates will operate the 777-200, 777-200ER, 777-300, and the 777-300ER. By late 2007, Emirates will have a total of 51 Boeing 777s, giving it one of the world�s largest 777 fleets, with a list price of US$10 billion.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally said: "When Emirates receives the 777-300ER, it will become one of three airlines in the world operating four members of the 777 family. That's further evidence of its commitment to be one of the world's premier airlines. We're honoured to be its partner.
The 777-300ER has a range of 8,900 kms with a full passenger and cargo load, against a 6,700-km range for the 777-300. The aircraft�s cargo capacity is a substantial 20,000 kgs with a full passenger load.
Emirates will use the 777-300ER to further its expansion plans and to increase frequency on major trunk routes. The airline currently serves 77 destinations in 54 countries.
Boeing's 777 family is one of the world's most advanced, and the 777 is the only airplane to receive ETOPS (extended-range, twin-engine operations) certification upon first entering service.
In addition to its Boeing fleet, Emirates also operates the latest Airbus aircraft with a fleet of 29 A330-200s, eight A340-300s, five A340-500s and one A310 in service. On order are five more A340-500s, 20 A340-600s and 45 of the super-jumbo A380-800s which will give Emirates one of the largest Airbus fleets in the world.
Emirates aircraft orders were announced at the Dubai Airshow 2001, the Paris Air Show last year and Farnborough Air Show this year. The aircraft on firm order will bring Emirates' fleet to 169 by 2012.
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