Dubai
Emirates Airline will continue its controversial Milan-New York JFK service until an Italian court delivers its verdict later this year.
Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline & Group, said on Thursday that, “we will continue with the service until the hearing.”
Last month, an administrative court in Italy ruled against Emirates following a complaint by Assaereo, an association that represents Alitalia and other Italian airlines. The ruling was later suspended by the Council of State, a higher body, pending the outcome of an Emirates appeal.
Emirates made the Milan-New York route possible by extending of its three daily Dubai-Milan flights onwards to the United States. However, Emirates has been criticised by European and US carriers because the route is not operated by a destination or origin carrier.
Earlier this week at the Arabian Travel Market, Theirry Antinori, Emirates Airline Chief Commerical Officer, said the service brings value to the Italian market.
“We are really just the advocator of the customer. That’s why we are optimistic. Customer logic is the right logic. I do not think the Italian customer deserved to be sanctioned and have less choice,” he said.
Although Antinori added that there are no current plans to operate a similar route that does not originate in Dubai, a ruling against Emirates could hinder the airlines long term expansion plans.
It was reported that Sir Tim Clark, Emirates Airline President, previously said he has been approached by other European airports to operate similar routes. Though this is not part of the larger Emirates strategy, which is to drive traffic through its hub in Dubai.
Emirates Airline declared on Thursday a Dh3.3 billion profit, up 42.5 per cent, for the year ending March 31 2014.
