Emirates expects record travellers this week

Emirates expects this week to be its busiest of 2014, as travellers head home or abroad for the holiday season, said a statement.

Over 80,000 people will travel on 19 December with Emirates on over 240 flights, according to the airline's latest booking figures. This represents an increase of almost 23% over last year.

The busiest day for the airline is expected on Friday 19 December, although high passenger traffic is expected starting from 16 to 21 December. This year, top destinations out of Dubai include London, Bangkok, Mumbai, Singapore, Paris and Karachi.

Mohammed H. Mattar, Divisional Senior Vice President, Emirates Airport Services said: “With record breaking numbers of passengers flying with Emirates this week, it is our mission to make the journey as seamless and trouble-free as possible. We have deployed extra staff at the airport to assist our customers, and we ask all travellers to be aware of check-in and gate closure timings.

“They should also allow ample time to get through the various touch-points at the airport, as check-in and gate closure timings will be strictly followed to ensure flights depart on schedule. Customers who wish to experience the excellent facilities in the airport, such as duty free shops and restaurants, as well as our well-appointed lounges for premium passengers, are also advised to factor in extra time into their travel plans. Ultimately, our goal is to continue to provide world-class service and an outstanding travel experience and this busy period is no exception.”

Emirates is reminding customers to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before flight departure, and plan extra time to get to the airport as there may be heavy road traffic during the holiday period.

Customers who check-in less than 60 minutes to their scheduled flight departure will not be accepted.

These time checks will ensure the minimization of delays and missed connections. Transit passengers from flights arriving late into Dubai will be escorted by Emirates’ airport staff to ensure they make their onward connections.

Customers are also urged to check-in online, use the convenient Self Service Kiosks or baggage drop facilities to expedite their airport experience.  Those checking in online are required to check in their luggage no later than 90 minutes prior to departure. Customers holding an e-boarding pass and travelling with carry-on bags only, can proceed directly to passport control and security clearance.

Customers travelling to the United States, Canada and the UK are reminded to charge their electronic devices before getting to the airport, as they will be required to switch on these devices on at the relevant boarding gates where screenings will take place, or risk being denied access to fly.

Across the Emirates network, aircraft upgrades and frequencies have been implemented in order to cope with the high demand over the busy season.

Emirates currently operates over 1,600 weekly departures from Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3.

Key time checks for travellers:

- Emirates check-in counters are open three hours before flight departure

- check in no later than 90 minutes prior to departure, regardless of class of travel

- customers who have checked in online are also required to check in their luggage 90 minutes before flight departure

- customers are advised to go through security checks no later than 60 minutes before flight departure

- boarding on all flights begins 45 minutes prior to departure, and gates in all concourses close 20 minutes prior to departure

Emirates announces A380 service to Perth

Emirates said it will start flying A380 aircraft on Dubai-Perth route for the first time, commencing 1st May 2015.

The airline has announced that it will up-gauge one of its three daily services between Dubai and Perth to its flagship aircraft, demonstrating the growth of Perth as a global destination.

The change from a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft will see an increase in capacity of 136 seats per flight and 1,904 seats per week, reinforcing Emirates’ commitment to business and leisure passengers visiting the capital city of Western Australia.

Together with Qantas, from May 2015 a total of seven daily A380 services will operate from Dubai to Australia with onward connections across the country via Qantas’ domestic network.

The announcement caps off a range of recent upgrades to Emirates’ Australian services, including the introduction of a daily A380 to Brisbane and Melbourne, a double daily A380 to Sydney and a daily Adelaide service.

Emirates’ Perth A380 service will operate daily as EK420 departing Dubai at 0255hrs and arriving at Perth International Airport at 1735hrs the same day. The return flight, EK421, will depart Perth at 2210hrs and arrives in Dubai the following day at 0525hrs, a flying time of 11 hours 15 minutes.

Follow Emirates 24|7 on Google News.