Emirates flights set to double from Newcastle after record numbers - Business News - News - nebusiness.co.uk
Emirates flights set to double from Newcastle after record numbers
Emirates could fly twice a day from Newcastle to Dubai within a few years
AIRLINE giant Emirates could introduce double daily flights from Newcastle to Dubai in two years if the firm continues to see record passenger numbers, the vice-president has revealed.
Since launching its daily flight to the Middle East from Newcastle International Airport in 2007, the airline has reported its most successful figures to date, with flyer numbers in March up by 35% compared to the same period last year.
Thanks to the introduction of the new, larger Boeing 777-300ER aircraft last September, an extra 2,000 seats to and from Dubai every week were provided and more than 200 tonnes of cargo were carried into and out of Newcastle in March.
UK and Ireland vice-president Laurie Berryman hopes the route will grow by 15% this year, and such increases could well see the introduction of a second daily service in 2015, demonstrating the firm’s commitment and support for the North East economy.
“It has been hugely successful here. We arrived in 2007, just as the economy was going into meltdown and it has been very difficult,” said Berryman.
“But after a bad winter people are determined not to go without a holiday this year, they are desperate to get back to normal, so Easter was a very busy time for us and March was the biggest month we’ve ever had.
“The percentage growth we had in passenger numbers was 35% up compared to March 2012.
“There are lots of ifs and buts, and it isn’t guaranteed, but if we continue to have months like March we could see the introduction of double daily flights within a few years.
“We will always go with demands so we will watch the next two to three years.
“We have got to see the same sort of growth that we have had recently but if the economy continues to bounce back, it is a possibility.
“The North East has been very loyal to us. We’ve been here six years, have covered a tough time in which the North East probably suffered the worst of any regions in the UK during the downturn, but we have had great support from local companies as well as the North East Chamber of Commerce, the airport and, before it went, ONE North East, so we have some good people pushing cargo straight out of Newcastle rather than using airports down south.”
Berryman’s comments came during a visit to the region for the North East Expo at Kingston Park, where he was a keynote speaker.
There, he urged regional businesses to exploit the opportunity to use Emirates to trade in the Middle East without having to use London airports.
At present around 20% of customers currently use the Dubai service for business reasons, many choosing to keep costs down by flying in economy rather than business class.
However, the Emirates’ Business Rewards scheme could see more in the North East travelling abroad to explore export opportunities.
The Business Rewards travel benefits programme is tailored to the needs of SMEs, allowing those involved to earn miles at the rate of 1 Business Rewards Mile for every $1 spent, and they can be redeemed for individual travellers from a firm or for the company as a whole.
“The message we are getting across is that for the SME market in the North East, there is a great opportunity to export to the Far East and beyond, into India, China, Vietnam and the rest of the world,” said Berryman.
“The way out of the current recession is to get out there.
“We are already helping firms to export; for example, among the cargo we carried a couple of months ago were palm trees to Dubai – plastic trees which were being sent to be used in the foyer of a hotel.”
James Ramsbotham, NECC chief executive, welcomed Berryman’s call for businesses to explore overseas opportunities, adding: “Emirates is a global brand and introducing the new aircraft last year bolstered the positive impact that it has already made in the region.
“Trades from the North East to Australasia and the Middle East increased by more than 65% since Emirates began operating the route so to hear that they are performing so well in both passengers and cargo can only be good news for the region.
“The potential of a second daily flight is fantastic news and would help companies in the North East build upon our already impressive export performance.”