Emirates increase Tasman flights
AAP
Emirates flies Melbourne-Christchurch
April 2, 2004
Emirates Airlines said it will begin flying from Melbourne to Christchurch from June 10 as an extension of its international route from Dubai.
The move marks the airline's second footprint in New Zealand, after Auckland, to which it began flights as an extension of its Australian services in August last year.
The new connection to Christchurch will be a continuation of the upcoming Dubai-Melbourne non-stop service, which Emirates will operate with the ultra long-haul Airbus 340-500 aircraft.
Initially flying three times a week, the service will double to six times a week from the beginning of August.
Emirates Group chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said Emirates was happy to offer yet another exciting destination to its passengers.
"Our Christchurch service will provide excellent connections for New Zealand passengers travelling to Australia, and onward to Europe, Africa or Middle Eastern cities via our Dubai hub," he said.
"Similarly, it will bring our customers from other parts of the world another speedy and convenient route to New Zealand."
The additions mean Emirates will offer a total of 27 flights a week to New Zealand by August.
It presently flies to Auckland daily via Sydney, daily via Singapore and Brisbane, and daily via Singapore and Melbourne.
©2003 AAP
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