Originally Posted by the business desk
THE largest ever scheduled passenger flight from the North of England will take-off today when Emirates Airline launches its new Airbus A380 service from Manchester.
The inaugural flight to Dubai this afternoon by the world's largest passenger plane is expected to be almost full to its 517-passenger capacity and will offer travellers with Emirates first class accommodation for the first time from the airport.
Speaking in Dubai before joining the Manchester-bound flight, Maurice Flanagan, the 81-year-old executive vice chairman of Emirates who founded the airline in 1985 for the ruling Al Maktoum family, said he was "ecstatic" at the launch of the service into his native North West.
"Manchester is bursting at the seams, there is not enough capacity and we needed first class seats," said the industry veteran, who was knighted in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.
He said: "Our two flights a day from Manchester are more profitable than Gatwick which has three flights a day."
Emirates has taken delivery of 12 A380s for its Dubai-based fleet and has a total of 90 aircraft on order from Airbus.
The aircraft feature seats for more than 400 people in economy class with 76 business class seats and 14 first class "suites" on the upper deck along with shower spas and a cocktail bar.
"There is no other regional airport with the demand that Manchester has," said Leigh-born Mr Flanagan, who will become Sir Maurice after his investiture by the Queen in the autumn.
The airport is one of only 17 across the world able to accept the giant plane and £10m has been invested by Manchester Airport Group to strengthen the runways, move back signs and buy a new fire engine to allow it to land.
The A380 "superjumbo" is the world’s only twin-deck airliner and is the most environmentally-advanced airliner in the sky today. It offers better fuel economy than most hybrid passenger cars, and burns up to 20% less fuel per seat than today's next largest aircraft.
Richard Critchley, Greater Manchester Chamber’s transport policy manager, said: "This is a great vote of confidence in Greater Manchester and the airport, proving that the city can compete with the likes of Heathrow for international services.
"It clearly demonstrates Greater Manchester's global connections and the strengthening ties between the city and Dubai. The new plane will provide additional daily capacity, welcoming businesses and tourists with the highest quality airline facilities."