Emirates takes off to Washington, DC

Route is airline’s 12th to join its international network in 2012 and its seventh US destination

Dubai: Washington, DC became Emirates’ seventh US destination on Wednesday as the carrier launched its non-stop daily service to the destination from its Dubai hub.

The Washington, DC route is also the airline’s 12th to join its international network in 2012, Emirates said in a statement on Wednesday.

Gradually strengthening its hold over the American market, Emirates already serves key US gateways such as to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) — launched in February 2012, followed by Seattle-Tacoma (SEA) launch in March. Other American routes include New York, Los Angeles, Houston and San Francisco.

Besides providing further impetus to the growing trade relationship between the UAE and the US, the new route is expected to boost exports and imports between the two countries while also increasing opportunities for business, industry and tourism.

According to an earlier Emirates statement, trade between the two countries reached a record high of $18.34 billion (Dh37.3 billion) in 2011, marking an increase of over 40 per cent from 2010.

Itinerary

Connecting the American capital by a Boeing 777-300 ER aircraft, Emirates EK 231 will leave Dubai daily at 2.20am and arrive at Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) at 8.50am, while EK 232 will depart Dulles at 10.55am arriving in Dubai at 8.00am the following day, Emirates said.

The delegation on board Wednesday’s inaugural flight from Dubai included Tim Clark, President of Emirates airline; Michael Corbin, US Ambassador to the UAE; Francisco Sanchez, Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade; Orhan Abbas, airline’s Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, The Americas; and Pradeep Kumar, Senior Vice President, Revenue Optimisation and Systems, Emirates SkyCargo.

Amongst other Gulf carriers, Etihad Airways is expected to launch services to Washington, DC in March 31, 2012, subject to regulatory approval, while Qatar Airways already operates scheduled services to the destination.