HAPPY BIRTHDAY
EMIRATES
The world’s largest international airline marks ten years in Ireland.
It’s hard to imagine a time when Emirates wasn’t operating direct flights between Dublin and Dubai, but the world’s largest international airline has just celebrated its tenth anniversary in the Irish market. Over the past decade, Emirates has become an essential cog in Ireland’s travel and export sectors. Since its inaugural Dublin flight in January 2012, Emirates has carried more than 2.8 million passengers on 10,000 flights between Dublin and Dubai. Country Manager for Emirates in Ireland, Enda Corneille, who has been with the airline for eight of those ten years remembers the launch clearly. “We were in the middle of a global recession, discretionary spending had plummeted, businesses were suffering, and the mood of the country was pretty low. All eyes were on
Emirates, and in fact, some questioned the wisdom of launching in a relatively small market at the height of a recession. “However, meticulous planning, a longterm vision, and the confidence both Emirates and our customers have in our product and service have contributed to one of the most successful route launches in the airline’s history. “What Emirates brought to Ireland wasn’t just access to global markets. Of equal importance at that time was the boost of confidence it gave not only to the travel sector but also to the wider economy. “And, notwithstanding recent interruptions, the operation in Ireland has gone from strength to strength, and the
outlook for 2022/2023 is hugely positive as demand returns.”
Supporting Ireland’s Export Market
Emirates is recognised for its role in helping to drive economic growth, trade, and job creation in the markets in which it operates, including supporting small local businesses such as VOYA, whose amenity products can be found in Business and First Class washrooms. Since 2012, Emirates has carried 130,000 tonnes of cargo between Dublin and Dubai, of which 72,000 tonnes comprised Irish exports. Emirates Skycargo, the airline’s freight division, connects Irish exporters with customers across the Gulf market, and each Boeing 777 on the Dublin route can carry up to 25 tonnes of cargo, including
96 | Arab Irish Chamber Magazine
IAJI121.indb 96
17/02/2022 14:42
