Emirates Lands Bne Flights!!!

Here below are two articles relevent to EK’s arrival at Brisbane!

NUMBER 1

OCTOBER 27, 2003

EMIRATES TAKES OFF FOR BRISBANE

DUBAI, UAE, 26th October 2003 – Emirates, the UAE’s international airline, launched its new daily service to Brisbane today (Sunday 26th October) when its first flight took off from Dubai with a delegation of senior management and media from four European countries on board.

Flights to Brisbane, like those to Sydney and Melbourne, continue on to Auckland. Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State, is Emirates 71st destination in 50 countries and its fourth gateway into Australia.

The official delegation on board the launch flight included Gary Chapman, President Dnata and Associated Companies; Keith Longstaff, Senior Vice-President Commercial Operations (West Asia and Pacific Rim) and Peter Sedgley, Vice-President Cargo Commercial Operations. A delegation led by the Hon Peter Beattie, the Premier of Queensland and Minister for Trade welcomed the flight on arrival on arrival at Brisbane.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice-President Commercial Operations Worldwide, was at Dubai airport for the departure of flight EK430 at 08:25. Flights will be operated with an Airbus A330-300 in three-class configuration until December 1 when a Boeing 777-300, also with three classes, will be operated on the route.

Gary Chapman said: “As Australia’s fastest-growing state and a top tourism destination, it was clear that Queensland was the next stop for Emirates in Australia. The new service also brings the number of flights we now operate across the Tasman to 21 per week, making Emirates a serious player on this highly competitive route.”

The new destination is a gateway to Queensland’s top tourism attractions: the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, theme parks such as Warner Bros Movieworld, water sports, rain forest. Emirates new service will boost both tourism and trade connections between Queensland and the Middle East.

Emirates took a media group of journalists from Germany, Italy, Greece and Cyprus on the launch flight for a familiarisation trip hosted by Emirates and Tourism Queensland.

To celebrate the new service, Emirates is offering a tempting incentive to passengers to travel First or Business Class to Brisbane – a free hotel stay or free car hire. Passengers booking First or Business Class between now and December 15 2003, have the option of free accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast Hotel or one week’s free car rental.

First Class passengers are offered two nights’ accommodation or one week’s free car rental while Business Class passengers have the option of one night’s free accommodation or four days’ free car rental.

The car provided in the offer is a Ford Falcon four-door with air conditioning or similar and includes unlimited mileage, third party insurance, collision damage ands theft waivers.

Skywards members who take advantage of the Emirates offer have an extra advantage: they can upgrade to the next category hotel room or hire car subject to availability by providing membership details at the time of booking.

The Sheraton Mirage Gold Coast, is located on one of Australia’s most popular coasts. Thirty seven acres of lush palm gardens and a sparkling blue lagoon surround the hotel.

NUMBER 2

27th October 2003

Liberty Air Services Welcomes Emirates To Brisbane

Australia’s newest Airport Ground Handling company, “Liberty Air Services” today welcomed the arrival of its first customer to Brisbane.

Emirates flight EK 430 from Dubai via Singapore landed at Brisbane International Terminal this morning and was met by Liberty ground crew members as it pulled in to the gate for the first time.

Liberty is a joint venture between Virgin Blue and Patrick Air Services and was set up to provide competition in another sector of the aviation market previously dominated by Qantas.

The new company is the latest Patrick venture to offer aviation related services, complimenting the jointly owned domestic carrier Virgin Blue, Patrick Air Services cargo handling and Jetcare line engineering.

Liberty will look after the ground handling needs of international airlines operating at Brisbane International Airport.

Head of Virgin Blue Ground Services and leader of the Liberty start-up team, Diederik Pen, said, “Emirates is a world class airline well known for its attention to detail and high service standards and we couldn’t ask for a better launch customer.”

“We see our relationship with Emirates as a vote of confidence in Liberty and look forward to delivering outstanding ground handling services to them as well as many other airlines in the future.”

The company will initially look after the needs of airline operating in and out of Brisbane but it is already looking to expand operations to other key ports across Australia, including Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth.

“Today is very exciting for the Liberty team after spending the past few months working tirelessly to set up the new company from scratch, involving everything from sourcing equipment and new team members to training and uniform selection.”

Liberty will carry out all ground handling requirements for Emirates in Brisbane including check-in and baggage loading and unloading when the carrier touches down twice a day.

More than 36 staff have been recruited for full and part-time roles in the Liberty launch team.

Diederik Pen added, “As we gain more customers and move into other markets, more job opportunities will open up. We have set our sights on making sure we provide strong competition in the industry, value for money and a professional friendly service on the ground, as Virgin Blue has done in the air.”

“Today is a great day for Emirates and a great day for Liberty Air Services and I have no doubt that it will be a winning partnership for both parties,” finished Diederik Pen.