Emirates to launch A380 on Jeddah route next year

DOUBLE DECKER: The Emirates A380 superjumbo will fly to Jeddah from Feb 1, 2010, and Paris from Dec 29, 2009. (Getty Images)

Dubai-based carrier Emirates announced on Thursday its Jeddah route will be served by an A380 superjumbo from next year.

The service, which runs four times a week to the Saudi city, will be the airline’s eighth A380 service when it starts on February 1, 2010.

Emirates already flies the world’s largest plane to Sydney, Auckland, Heathrow, Bangkok, Toronto, Seoul and from December 29, Paris, the firm said in a statement.
 
“The introduction of the highly acclaimed A380 on the Jeddah route is a true reflection of an increased demand for services in and out of the kingdom,” said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ senior vice president commercial operations Gulf, Middle East and Iran.

“This service into Jeddah will mark Emirates’ first Middle Eastern A380 destination outside of Dubai, a significant milestone for both Emirates and Saudi Arabia.”
 
“Adding an A380 onto this perpetually busy route will significantly increase our capacity; ensuring passengers have greater access to flights.”
 
The A380 service to Jeddah will have 14 private suites in first class, 76 new generation, fully flat seats in business class and 427 seats in economy.

From February the A380 flights will depart Dubai on Mondays, Tuesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 4.30pm, arriving in Jeddah at 6.30pm. The return flight leaves Jeddah at 8.45pm and arrives in Dubai at 12.15am.
 
Emirates currently has seven A380 aircraft in its fleet. A further 51 double-deckers are still to be delivered, the firm said.

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READERS' COMMENTS

A380 to Jeddah
Posted by peter, dubai, uae on Monday 28 December 2009 at 20:44 UAE time


Can anyone tell me if there is even airbridges in Jeddah??? Last time I visited they only had remote stand parking bays and made everyone walk up stairs to the aircraft...even disabled and elderly. Boarding took about 3 hours and that was on a Boeing 777.
Has things changed in Jeddah?????????????????

A380 to jeddah
Posted by martin, ajman, uae on Sunday 27 December 2009 at 22:49 UAE time


having flown this route many times i will avoid using the 380 because jeddah airport si8mply could not cope with the sheer numbers of passenger per flight

Umrah by A380
Posted by Ajaz, Dubai, UAE on Friday 25 December 2009 at 16:13 UAE time


It will be a great pleasure & opportunity to fly by A380 to Jeddah.
Insha Allah more & more people would like to go for Umrah by A380.

BAD IDEA EMIRATES!
Posted by Hussain M, jeddah/Thuwal, Saudi Arabia on Friday 25 December 2009 at 16:00 UAE time
Edited by ArabianBusiness.com

I live in Jeddah... I honestly don't think Jeddah Airport is equipped enough to handle this Monster.

1.There are no sky bridges.. they park the planes god knows where and commute the people by bus....

DO you know how many buses you need to get the passengers of an A380.... not to mention the baggage carts n all the other logistics.

2. the airport authorities in Jeddah will most probably break A 380 out of spite because it because is bigger than the airport itself.

3. Saudi 747's are seriously delayed most of the time.. i wouldn't be surprised if they delay the A380 for 12 hours to a day

The person in Emirates airlines who decided this needs to visit Jeddah airport for 5 minutes to reconsider.

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