Emirates is to deploy its A380 aircraft on flights from Gatwick when it resumes operations at the airport in December, boosting capacity on the Dubai-bound route by nearly 50%.
The double-decker A380 aircraft will replace the previously scheduled and B777 and operate two daily flights in each direction. Ex-Gatwick flights will depart at 13:35.
The addition of Gatwick in December means the carrier will have flights from six UK airports – alongside Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Newcastle and Heathrow.
By the end of December, Emirates will offer 84 weekly flights to the UK and nearly 90% of its pre-pandemic UK operations.
Richard Jewsbury, divisional vice president, UK, said the switch to an A380 would help the carrier “meet ever growing demand for international travel” from the UK.
“Gatwick has long been a valued partner for Emirates, and we look forward to welcoming passengers back onboard Emirates’ flagship aircraft soon,” he said.
The Dubai-based carrier’s A380 fleet is due to reach 118 by the end of the year by which time the carrier plans to restore 70% of its global capacity.
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