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Australia flights key to Emirates
BY OUR AVIATION CORRESPONDENT
May 10, 2006
Australia will continue to be the major destination of Emirates, said Eddie Lim, area manager, Emirates Airlines.
He said that Australia will be the prominent destination for Emirates when it considers its expansion plans. Emirates plans to double the frequency of its flights from its present 74 out of Brisbane, Sydney,
Melbourne and Perth. Lim said, " We see the potential in Australia. The demand is strong … and with the current load factors we know there is scope for more passengers." In the future, Emirates will have to
battle with Qantas, Singapore Airlines and some others for a bigger bite of the pie.
The presence of bigger and more efficient planes have reduced the operating costs and this trend must continue, he said.
"Now we are thinking of moving from a capacity of 400 to 600. Who knows, over the next 20 years it might go up to a 1000 and that's what some of the aircraft manufacturers are thinking," said Lim.
For low cost airlines, a new airport is being built in Dubai. Emirates Express would be the name of the new budget subsidiary.
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