Dubai ‘Central’ To Emirates-Qantas Partnership Success

The role of Dubai is central to the success of the Emirates-Qantas partnership, Emirates President Tim Clark told guests attending a gala dinner at Atlantis The Palm last night.

Emirates plays a key part in the Australian aviation economy, flying 84 times a week to five points, and that will be further enhanced when it adds a second A380 service to Sydney from June 1.

But Clark used the occasion of yesterday’s partnership launch to highlight the importance of Dubai as a trading hub, and its ability to filter business in and out of the wider MENA region and Europe.

“The city has always been involved in trade due to its geography and with Qantas shifting its Kangaroo route here, their passengers will be within a four-hour flight of 75 per cent of the world’s population,” he said.

Qantas CEO Alan Joyce described the global partnership as a “21st century alliance, with 21st century aircraft…flying into a 21st century hub”.

“Dubai is a great destination in its own right. This is the start of a new generation of Qantas flying into Europe, a seismic partnership that’s going to change the aviation industry.”