Dubai’s Emirates starts Edinburgh flights

Emirates’ first flight to Edinburgh takes off from Dubai on Monday morning, marking its eighth UK destination and second in Scotland.

Etihad Airways announced it would drop Edinburgh in April, and the Dubai carrier quickly seized the gap, confirming it would start flights this winter.

Read more: Dubai’s Emirates launches Edinburgh service following Etihad suspension

The route is served by a three-class B777-300ER but premium passengers should note it is the ‘traditional’ model and not the new Boeing widebody with six private first class suites, which operates to Stansted.

Initially Edinburgh was unveiled as a daily service but it has been revised to five-times weekly, and will revert to daily next June.

Read more: Dubai’s Emirates to reduce Edinburgh flights weeks after launch

At an event in the British embassy Dubai grounds on Sunday to mark the launch, consul general Andrew Jackson said the route would enhance business links with exports to the UAE – currently worth “several hundred million pounds” – educational ties as more than 400 Emirati students study in Scotland and leisure opportunities given the country’s diverse urban and rural attractions.

It is a big boost for Scottish passengers too, as travellers will have access to Emirates’ global network, particularly China, India, Indian Ocean islands and Australasia. Glasgow flights launched in 2004.

Hubert Frach, Emirates’ divisional SVP Commercial Operations West, said: “I had a look at the passenger list today – we have Chinese passengers, big groups from Australia and New Zealand, and South Africa – so tourism will grow along with trade.”

The aircraft will carry up to 20 tonnes of cargo.