Emirates is to offer a third daily non-stop flight from Manchester to Dubai.
The airline will start the new service, operated by an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration, on May 1.
The move increases the carrier's capacity from Manchseter by 25%
It will become the first airline to operate three daily
flights from Manchester to the same long haul destination.
Emirates' vice president UK and Ireland Laurie Berryman said:
"With the launch of a third daily flight, we've got Manchester
covered morning, noon and night, offering business and leisure
travellers from the region an incredible choice of travel options
to destinations across the globe.
"We've already filled the additional capacity we introduced
with the A380 last year and demand continues to grow, hence this
plan for further growth."
The third flight will leave daily from Manchester at 9.40am,
allowing for connections to Thailand, the Middle East and
India.
Managing director of Manchester Airport Andrew Harrison said:
"Since bringing the A380 to Manchester last September the route to
Dubai has been one of Emirates' strongest performers and we saw a
full compliment of 517 in November so we know the traffic is there
and the third daily service underlines the strength of this route
and the importance of the Middle East to our longer term ambitions
as an airport.
"Emirates' operation in the North West has grown rapidly since
it launched a twice-weekly service from Manchester in 1990."
