Emirates launches second A380 service from Birmingham Airport

Airline Emirates has launched its second daily Airbus A380 service from Birmingham Airport – less than two years after the inaugural flight of the super-jumbo from the city.

The airline said the introduction of the double-daily A380 service was driven by strong demand from passengers in Birmingham.

Since the first A380 service from Dubai to Birmingham launched in March 2016, nearly 500,000 passengers have flown on the aircraft between the two destinations.

The airline revealed earlier this year its plan to introduce a second A380 service out of Birmingham but the announcement heralded the withdrawal of one of its three Boeing 777 flights from the airport as part of an operational review.

However, the impact of the withdrawal is expected to be minimal as the extra capacity offered by the A380 will soften the reduction in volumes. The A380 is currently the world’s largest passenger plane, with provision for 615 seats.

Emirates started flying to Birmingham on 18 December 2000 as a daily service to Dubai, operated by a 278-seat Airbus A330. Since then, Emirates has carried more than 5.2 million passengers between Dubai and Birmingham. In its first full year of operations out of the city, Emirates carried just under 70,000 passengers. The growth in popularity of the route is clear, with over 40,000 passengers carried during a record July alone.

Laurie Berryman, Emirates Vice President, UK, said the launch of the second daily A380 service showed the airline’s continued commitment to an important route.

“Thanks to its strategic position in the Midlands, the route allows both visitors and businesses to travel to Dubai and beyond from the heart of the UK. Now in its seventeenth year, we have seen a pronounced growth in the popularity of our Birmingham service and look forward to a bright future with our twice daily A380 service,” he said.

William Pearson, Aviation Director, Birmingham Airport, said: “We are delighted that Emirates has launched a second A380 service from Birmingham to Dubai with this iconic aircraft. Emirates’ hub in Dubai offers connections to 154 destinations, over six continents, giving our region’s travellers global connectivity.

“Having this additional capacity on the lunchtime service to Dubai and onwards ensures flexibility and choice for passengers and also shows the commitment that Emirates has in the Midlands.”