Oslo: Emirates launched its service to Oslo international airport on Tuesday, marking the beginning of daily direct flights between Dubai and the Norwegian capital.
Oslo is the 38th European destination by the biggest Arab airline company. It is also the destination number 144 by Emirates, said Thierry Antinori, executive Vice President and Chief Commercial officer at Emirates, in a press statementupon the landing of Boeing 777-300 ER in Oslo Tuesday’s noon.
“If you take all the passengers on the Dubai-Oslo route, we think that 70 per cent will be Norwegian and 30 per cent non-Norwegian. Approximately, one-third will stay in Dubai and two-third will go beyond Dubai,” Antinori told Gulf News
“This route will boost the trade and cultural relations,” said Mohammad Al Jowaid, UAE Ambassador to Norway, told Gulf News in an interview. Last May he became the first UAE envoy to the Scandinavian country.
According to official figures, the trade between the UAE and Norway reached €245 million (Dh1.18 billion) last year, Emirates senior officials noted.
“I believe the route will be a successful one, God willing. And within the next few months, Emirates could increase the number of its flights to Oslo,” he added, noting the solid economic situation of Norway and the desire of the Norwegians to travel abroad, as well as the beautiful nature of the country that attracts tourists as well.
Dag-Falk Peterson, CEO of Avinor, the Norwegian aviation government company, that supervises the 46 airports in the country, agreed.
Peterson said there are nearly “50 million travellers through our airports every year”. He proudly noted the reputation of high efficiency of the country’s airports.
At the same time, “Norwegians travel a lot,” he added.
Asked by Gulf News whether they travel in the freezing winter of Norway, Peterson said, “No, actually they travel around the year,” to European destinations as well as Middle Eastern and other cities in the Far East.
“They look for new places not only in Europe.”
“We also welcome people from Dubai. It is a safe country with high standards, and the scenery is unbelievable,” Peterson said.
Among the popular destinations for Norwegians are Bangkok, Phuket, Singapore, Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong.
Emirates is the first airline that flies to and from Oslo offering a first class cabin service. Available services before Emirates included only Business and Economy classes. Also, Qatar Airways has flights to Oslo but they are not daily.
The Norwegian capital ranks as the fastest-growing capitals in Europe, Emirates noted in a press statement.
Oslo is also the home to “diverse ethnic communities from Pakistan, Iraq, the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, India, Afghanistan and China”.
Apart from its oil wealth, Norway is a giant natural gas exporter and the world’s second largest seafood exporter.
Emirates is seeking a “long and successful relationship with Oslo and Norway,” said Antinori.
