DFW AIRPORT, TX – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport today welcomed the start of Emirates Airbus A380 superjumbo daily service to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The arriving Emirates A380 aircraft was met with a traditional DFW Airport “shower of affection” water cannon salute from the Airport’s Department of Public Safety, as well as local dignitaries.
“Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is proud to welcome the Emirates A380 as we continue our growth as a global hub, connecting passengers from the United States, Mexico and Canada to destinations around the world,” said Sean Donohue, CEO of DFW Airport. “The addition of the Emirates A380 to DFW brings one of the world’s most highly regarded aircraft to the Dallas/Fort Worth to Dubai route, opening the door for even more customers to travel between DFW and Dubai.”
Emirates, the largest airline in the Middle East and one of the fastest growing carriers in the world, became the first airline to offer direct service from DFW to the Middle East in 2012. The transition from Boeing 777-200 aircraft to the double-decker Airbus A380-800 means that Emirates is increasing its capacity on the DFW to Dubai route by over 80 percent.
“Commencing an A380 service to Dallas/Fort Worth allows us to provide the region with an additional 223 seats on the route each day, which will allow a greater number of people access to Emirates’ home and hub of Dubai, and our global network including India, Africa and the Far East,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President. “The A380 is the flagship of Emirates’ fleet and the onboard amenities give passengers the very best product we offer. We know everything in Texas is bigger so it is fitting that Emirates, which is the largest operator of the A380, is bringing the world’s largest passenger aircraft to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the largest and busiest airport in Texas.”
The flight connects two of the world’s most highly regarded airports, DFW and Dubai (DXB) International Airport, each of which offer customers a great number of connection options and outstanding customer service on either end of the route.
“From burgeoning businesses, to the best shopping in the southwest, premium hotels and restaurants and a captivating arts and cultural scene, Dallas has much to offer,” said Mike Rawlings, Mayor of Dallas. “The arrival of the Emirates A380 will allow Dallas to continue to open its doors to international business opportunities, commerce and tourism and show the world that big things continue to happen here.”
“Dallas/Fort Worth is home to many Fortune 500 companies, countless major industries and a strong, diverse workforce. These assets combined with DFW International Airport and our air service partners continue to fuel our local economy,” said Betsy Price, Mayor of Fort Worth. “The investment made by Emirates is a recognition of the importance of our region as a global hub of business and leisure. We thank Emirates for their commitment, and for helping us build an expansive global network.”
DFW airline partners offer nonstop service to 55 international destinations and 147 cities in the United States, with every major city in the continental U.S., Canada and Mexico within a four-hour flight.
DFW has reconfigured two gates, namely D15 and D16, to simultaneously accommodate A380 flights while on the ground, utilizing a total of three boarding bridges. DFW Airport also completed modifications to the airfield, specifically ramps and taxiways in order to accommodate A380 service, and the Airport has installed a new seating configuration which doubles the seating capacity in the Terminal D15/D16 gate waiting area.