Emirates to add six A380s to fleet

Ruling the Middle Eastern skies, Emirates is on a growth trajectory with new destinations and fleet this year. Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior VP – Commercial Operations, Emirates, talks about key markets and collaborations.

TT Bureau

What is in store for this year at Emirates?
We continue to strive to bring new products and services every year to our customers as our customer is part of our DNA; so we not only provide them inflight services but also ground services. Currently, all our aircraft are Wi-Fi enabled, and we have also increased the channels to 4000 in each aircraft on air and on the ground. We introduced the delivery of baggage and we plan to introduce biometric bag at the airport for a seamless travel experience from the time passengers reach the airport till the time they end the journey. We are looking at each touch point to make their journey a better one. In terms of aircraft, we will add six A380s to our fleet. We have 271 aircraft out of which 109 are 380s.

Could you share the importance of the Indian market to Emirates?
India is a core network right from the day we started. We fly to nine destinations. My team and I are always looking at strategic expansion plans so that we can tap those unexplored areas, especially in India. The recent codeshare with SpiceJet provides us an ideal opportunity to penetrate to hitherto unknown areas in the large subcontinent state of India. It will provide a reciprocal relationship between the two nations strengthening it even further.

China seems to be an emerging market. What are your views?
Flying to three key destinations in China, we still feel that it is an untouched market with huge potential and opportunity. When I recently attended the belt and road conference, I heard the speech delivered by the Chinese President; this was a very positive sign as he said that belt and road will open free trade.