Dubai: Emirates is to start flying the giant Airbus A380 to India, but only for a few hours.
The special flight is to commemorate the opening of the new Terminal 3 at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The A380 will operate EK516 on the Dubai-Delhi route on July 15, departing Dubai at 10:10 hours and arrive in Delhi at 14:50 hours.
The aircraft will be at the IGI Airport for three hours before it returns to Dubai as EK517 departing Delhi at 17:50 hours.
There is no indication yet as to when Emirates will start regular A380 services to India.
Bookings for this special flight will open on 6th June, 2010 with a special one-way fare from Dubai for Dh380 plus taxes or return for Dh990 plus taxes.
Majid Al Mualla, Emirates' Senior Vice President - West Asia and Indian Ocean, said, "Emirates has been flying to Delhi since our first day of operations in 1985. Twenty five years on, 10 destinations and 184 weekly flights certainly represent the efforts and investment that have gone into building a strong relationship with India."
"The fact that we are bringing the A380 here is a reiteration of the potential that we see in the Indian market and our intent to partner with the nation in its growth. Over the years, Emirates has evolved to become a company that is global in its operations but firmly connected with the Indian mindset and the consumer," Al Mualla said.
