From the Gulf News website
Emirates cuts flights as demand falls
Dubai |By A Staff Reporter | 25-09-2001
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Emirates is cancelling several flights in response to falling demand following the terrorist attacks in the U.S.
The global airline industry has suffered massive losses since September 11 and most carriers have slashed schedules and shed thousands of jobs as tourists and businessmen avoid travelling. British Airways has announced that it is reducing its flights by 10 per cent and cutting 7,000 jobs.
Emirates yesterday said it was reducing flights to 11 destinations in the Gulf, Asia and Europe from September 27 to October 10. A spokeswoman said the services were being trimmed for those two weeks and the situation will remain under review. But the airline has no plans for job cuts.
The destinations affected by the cancellations are Bahrain, Muscat, Doha and Dammam in the Gulf; Karachi, Hyderabad and Hong Kong in Asia; and London Heathrow, Birmingham, Duesseldorf and Zurich in Europe.
Commercial Operations Director Ghaith Al Ghaith said, "Passengers can be assured that they will not be inconvenienced, but we are cancelling some flights to reflect demand."
He said passengers booked to any of the 11 destinations either on or after September 27 are advised to call the Emirates Call Centre on 04 2144444.
The affected flights are as follows:
In the Gulf region, Bahrain will continue to be served daily by flights EK243/244 but flights EK241/242 between Dubai and Bahrain are cancelled completely. Flights EK223/224 between Dubai and Muscat will operate four times weekly instead of daily. Flights EK223/224 and EK225/226 between Dubai and Doha will operate six times weekly instead of daily, and the three times weekly service between Dubai and Dammam will be reduced to twice weekly.
In the subcontinent, two daily services between Dubai and Karachi will be slightly reduced. The twice weekly service EK610/611 is unaffected. The four times weekly flights between Dubai and Hyderabad will operate twice weekly.
In the Pacific Rim, the three-times weekly, non-stop flight EK080/081 between Dubai and Hong Kong will operate twice weekly. Daily one-stop flights are unaffected.
In Europe, flights between Dubai and Zurich and Dubai and Duesseldorf will operate five times weekly instead of daily.
In the UK, flight EK005/006 to London Heathrow will operate six times weekly instead of daily, but flights EK001/002 and EK003/004 are unaffected. Flights between Dubai and Birmingham will operate six times weekly instead of daily, but services to Manchester and London Gatwick are unaffected.