Emirates greets Dallas ahead of launch

Emirates, one of the fastest growing airlines in the world, has taken its message to the Lone Star State this week,  that it is about to launch flights from Dubai to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) in less than two weeks.

More than 900 guests from local industries, the travel trade and the government gathered for a gala dinner event at the iconic Dallas Cowboys Stadium to discover more about one of the world's most successful airlines.

Left to right: Jeffery Fegan, Chief Executive Officer of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales Worldwide, Ambassador James C. Oberwetter, President of Dallas Regional Chamber; and David Berzina, Executive Vice President - Economic Development of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.

 

Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President –Passenger Sales Worldwide, speaking at the Emirates gala event in Dallas.

More than 900 guests from local industries, the travel trade and the government gathered for the Emirates gala dinner event at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium.

Earlier in the day, the Dallas/Fort Worth media met with Emirates representatives including Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President –Passenger Sales Worldwide; Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President – SkyCargo; Nigel Page, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations - The Americas; Brian LaBelle, Senior Vice President – Skywards, and Jim Baxter, Vice President – USA, Central America & Caribbean.

“As the first commercial non-stop flight to the Middle East in DFW’s history, Emirates’ new non-stop service will support the local economy by deepening the economic and cultural ties between these two dynamic and growing regions of the world,” said Thierry Antinori.

“Texas has long been an important market for Emirates and now customers can enjoy the convenience of a second Texan gateway, making it even easier to access our fast-growing network of 118 cities worldwide. Not only will this new route help promote Dubai and transit markets to America’s south and southwest, it will also promote tourism, business and leisure travel to the southern United States from around the world,” continued Mr. Antinori.

Starting 2nd February 2012, EK 221 will leave Dubai daily at 0245hrs, arriving at Dallas-Fort Worth at 0905hrs. The return sector, EK 222, leaves Dallas at 1150hrs, arriving at Dubai International Airport at 1220hrs the following day.

“Emirates’ new non-stop daily service between DFW and Dubai will connect two global super-hubs for U.S. travelers, bringing Texas closer to 10 cities in India and 17 cities across the Middle East, including many of the world’s fastest-growing economies,” said Jeffrey P. Fegan, CEO of Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.

As a strategically important trade hub and a key centre of the nation’s oil industry, there are many synergies between the state of Texas and the United Arab Emirates. In 2009, Texan exports to the U.A.E. reached over $1.7 billion - representing export growth of  almost 200 per cent in just seven years. 

Commodities piped between Texas and the UAE include oil and gas industry related machinery, spares and high-tech equipment. A bellyhold capacity of 15 tonnes on each Emirates flight will help support this trade.

It is projected that the route will also create over $200 million of local economic activity every year, providing a significant boost to the already flourishing trade between Dallas/Fort Worth and Dubai.

Source: Emirates.com (20/01/12).