Today marks fifteen years since Emirates first touched down in Glasgow airport in 2004.
The milestone comes just under a week before Emirates brings the iconic A380 aircraft to Glasgow for a six-month stint, the first regular A380 service to Scotland.
Since the introduction of the Glasgow Dubai service, over 4.5 million passengers have travelled between the two cities. Emirates’ network of 158 destinations has made travel easier than ever for Scottish travellers looking to go to Dubai and further afield. Over the last fifteen years, the most popular onward destinations for passengers from Glasgow travelling through Dubai have been Bangkok, Lahore and Singapore.
However, it’s not just passengers who have made the most of the Emirates network, with cargo transport being a major part of the route’s success. Over 80 million kilos have been exported from Scotland with Emirates SkyCargo since 2004. Scottish specialties including salmon, shellfish and whisky make up the podium of most popular exports. Less delicious but just as important - oil well parts are also a significant export for the Scottish city.
Richard Jewsbury, Divisional Vice-President UK, Emirates commented on the milestone: “It is fitting that such an important milestone for Emirates in Scotland should come a week before we bring our iconic A380 to Glasgow. Since the first Emirates aircraft landed in Glasgow fifteen years ago, Scotland has been a major market for us and a key part of our growth strategy in the UK.
"Not only do a lot of Scottish travellers fly with us for holiday or business, but many people from around the world travel to Scotland to discover the beautiful country, or to do business. Scotland has proven so popular since we started flying there that we introduced an Edinburgh route last year.”
Mark Johnston, Glasgow Airport Managing Director added: “The introduction of Emirates’ Dubai service in April 2004 was a major coup for the airport and Scotland. We were confident the service would be a success and in the 15 years that have followed there have been so many milestones. From the launch of the double-daily service in 2012 to the opening of Emirates’ own dedicated lounge in 2014, there has been much to celebrate.
“Emirates and Glasgow Airport will create another piece of Scottish aviation history next Tuesday with the arrival of the A380 – the first time the world’s largest commercial passenger aircraft has been introduced to a scheduled service in Scotland.
“We are extremely proud of the close relationship we have fostered with Emirates over the years and that Glasgow Airport remains home to Scotland’s leading long-haul airline.”
Emirates’ iconic A380 aircraft will start operating to Glasgow from 16th April 2019, until 30th September, the first regular A380 service to Scotland. The plane will be configured in a three-class setting, with 14 private suites in First-Class, 76 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 399 spacious seats in Economy Class.
Across the aircraft passengers will benefit from more space and best-in-class service and entertainment through Emirates’ ice system of over 4,000 channels of on demand audio and visual entertainment. Passengers in First-Class will be able to have the unique experience of taking a shower mid-air in the onboard shower spa, while those in First and Business Class will also be able to relax in our onboard lounge with a cocktail mixed by our in-air bartenders.