Nice one for Emirates as it strengthens European network

The current three flights a week from Nice, each with a stop in Rome, will change to five weekly non-stop services from 1st December 2008.

With these new services, passengers from the south of France will be able to take advantage of connections to many of the destinations on the unfolding Emirates' network.

As a result, Emirates will be the only airline offering such regular connecting flights linking southern France with the Middle East, Asia and the Far East.

The flights will be operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a three class configuration of 12 seats in First Class, 42 seats in Business Class and 183 seats in Economy Class. All passengers will enjoy the world renowned Emirates in-flight entertainment system and award winning meals service.

The new services will coincide with the airline's 15th anniversary of flights from Nice to Dubai.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates' Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide said: "It is fitting that we are rolling out these significant changes at the same time that we are celebrating 15 years of the Nice-Dubai service, which reflects the burgeoning demand of travellers in and out of southern Europe. We can now provide so many more opportunities for travellers from the south of France by using the full extent of the Emirates network, which now numbers 99 destinations in 62 countries. Passengers can set their horizons on destinations that, in the past, meant travel to Paris or other cities for connections."

The new flights will operate on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday in both directions. EK 78 will depart Nice at 1440 arriving in Dubai 2355. The flight from Dubai, EK 77, will leave at 0855 and arrive in Nice at 1310.

In addition, the new services will offer more than 80 tonnes of cargo capacity in each direction each week via Emirates' SkyCargo.

Meanwhile, more capacity will be added to the Paris/Dubai route with both of its twice daily services operated by Boeing 777 aircraft from the end of February 2008.

Emirates launched six new routes in the second half of 2007, two of which were in Europe. Flights to Venice began on 1st July and three months later services started to Newcastle in the north east of England. A further eight brand new destinations, including Cape Town are set to be launched this year.

The Dubai-based carrier was launched in 1985 and now boasts a 113-strong fleet of modern aircraft, equipped with the latest in passenger comfort and entertainment.

Known for innovation and bold commercial moves, Emirates stunned the aviation world in November last year when it used the Dubai Air Show to announce the largest civil aviation order in history - signing contracts for a 120 Airbus A350s, 11 A380s, and 12 Boeing 777-300ERs, worth an estimated $34.9bn in list prices.