Emirates has resumed its daily service between Adelaide and Dubai, using a Boeing 777-200LR for the flights. The reinstatement of this route will enable more than 220,400 passengers to travel annually between the two cities, underscoring the airline's dedication to South Australia and meeting the growing travel demands of the region.
The return of Emirates is expected to have a considerable impact on South Australia's economy and tourism sector. The flights will not only support trade activities but will also provide South Australians with access to top-notch travel experiences and seamless connections through Dubai to over 140 destinations worldwide. Moreover, the service is anticipated to enhance cargo opportunities for businesses in South Australia and across Emirates' Australian network.
Brenton Cox, the Managing Director of Adelaide Airport, highlighted the significance of Emirates' global network in offering enhanced competition and choices for customers, along with providing seamless connectivity to Europe, Africa, and the US East Coast through Dubai. The renewed connection is viewed as a gateway to showcasing South Australia to more than 220,000 potential visitors annually, thus boosting the state's economy, job creation, and trade and tourism prospects.
The Emirates flight EK440 will depart from Dubai at 02:00hrs and land in Adelaide at 20:50hrs. With an estimated value of $98 million per year in freight exports, the total expected expenditure stimulated by Emirates flights to Adelaide is $160 million annually. South Australia Premier, Peter Malinauskas, hailed the return of Emirates' daily service as a significant development for the state, projecting substantial tourism expenditure and job creation.
Minister for Tourism Zoe Bettison emphasized the strategic importance of Emirates' return in bolstering South Australia's international market appeal, with the potential to unlock new trade opportunities and visitor experiences. Emirates' Executive Vice President, Nabil Sultan, reaffirmed the airline's enduring commitment to Australia, citing the relaunch of the Adelaide service as evidence of their dedication to expanding operations in the country. The reinstated service will provide passengers with over 4,200 weekly seats between Dubai and Adelaide aboard the Boeing 777-200LR aircraft configured with 302 seats.
The return flight, EK441, will depart Adelaide at 22:40hrs and reach Dubai at 05:20hrs. This daily service will offer 14 tonnes of cargo capacity per flight, facilitating a total of 196 tonnes weekly between the two cities. With a projected annual economic impact of $160 million and $62 million in tourism-related expenditure, the Emirates flights are poised to fuel South Australia's growth by enabling key exports ranging from seafood, meat products, fruits, and vegetables, to a variety of general cargo including pharmaceuticals, machinery parts, garments, and electronics.