Emirates partners Airservices Australia

The partnership centres initially on an agreement for the planning, development and implementation of "flexible routes" and related procedures, for use by Emirates aircraft flying between Dubai and Australia. Under the previous system of air navigation, all aircraft had to fly a standard set of air traffic corridors called airways.

Navigation and Air Traffic Management specialists from Emirates and Airservices collaborated on developing a unique set of operating practices that will allow Emirates to select the optimum path for each flight between Dubai and Australia, depending on prevailing winds and weather patterns.

Such "tailor-made" routes were first used for Emirates' direct flights between Dubai and Sydney, but will now be extended to other cities including Melbourne. These optimum routes will benefit Emirates through more efficient flights that save on fuel burn, and also reduces exhaust gas emissions - a plus for the environment.

Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline said: "By mid August this year, Emirates will operate 34 flights a week to Australia, of which 27 fly onward to New Zealand. This new partnership charter lets us work more closely with Airservices to optimise our flight routes within Australian airspace, and also play a more active role in developing the air traffic management systems for Emirates' flights."

Mr. Clark also noted that Emirates already has an existing customer-supplier relationship with Airservices Australia, and that this new partnership will cultivate closer business ties between both organisations.

Bernie Smith, Chief Executive for Airservices Australia said: "We intend to strengthen our relationship through a shared vision of cooperation. After all, Emirates is the world's fastest growing intercontinental airline and is dramatically increasing its presence in the Australia-New Zealand region."

Mr. Smith added that discussions are underway on several projects including: tailored arrival trials into Australia that will guide aircraft on a steady descent along the most efficient path to a destination airport; and the adoption of ADS-B radar-like technology where aircraft automatically broadcast identity and position at rapid intervals.

The signing coincided with the final day of the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition and Airservices Australia was one of over 130 leading manufacturers gathering under one roof for the event. Taking place at the Airport Expo in Dubai, the exhibition was held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation Dubai and chairman of Emirates Airline.