Emirates to launch direct flights to Tokyo

Nov 24, 2009 (LBO) - Emirates, the Dubai-based airline, said it plans to launch direct non-stop services to Tokyo from March 28 next year to lure travellers across the Middle East instead of the Pacific. The move closely follows the recent launch of operations to Durban and Luanda, the airline said in a statement.

At present, Emirates operates daily services to Osaka.

With the introduction of flights to Tokyo, Emirates will offer two non-stop services between Japan and Dubai.

From March 2010, Emirates will fly non-stop to Tokyo five times a week on every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The service will be operated by Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Emirates’ longstanding partnership with Japan Airlines will be expanded to include a code share on the new Dubai-Tokyo-Dubai services.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said the airline had done a multi-million dollar programme to promote the route through its global network of offices during the seven years of operations to and from Osaka.

"The comprehensive campaign successfully opened up Japan to new markets across the world," he said.

"As an example Japanes