Emirates eyeing expansion into Seattle

Emirates is looking to expand its US services into more destinations such as Seattle, according to the airline's top executive.

"Seattle is attractive as a possible future service for Emirates as the city represents a major international air gateway for the US Pacific Northwest," Tim Clark, Emirates' President, told Emirates Business in an e-mailed response.

"A service would offer valuable connection points for US markets such as Alaska, Oregon, Spokane and the interior northwest."

He added that there are a number of large corporations that have expansion plans in the Middle East, "Boeing and Microsoft being top examples".

"For Oregon, a service would also help serve major corporates such as Nike and a wide range of insurance companies, along with the manufacturing industries in areas such as pulp and paper," Clark said.

"However, Emirates does not have any immediate plans to open additional US gateways but will continue to carefully evaluate possible new routes," he said.

The airline currently operates direct services from Dubai to New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Houston. Further, Clark told AP yesterday that airline is also weighing possible expansion options into other US cities such Washington DC, Boston and Chicago.

Currently serving nearly 100 destinations across a network of 60 countries, Emirates plans to launch service from its Dubai hub to Durban, South Africa, starting October 1,followed by flights to Luanda, Angola, on October 25.

The carrier has a fleet of 128 passenger planes, with 123 on order, valued at more than $52 billion (Dh191bn).

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