Some more changes to the 2009/10 operating plan.
Due to further delays (confirmed widely in the media in recent weeks), there are some changes. The next batch of A380s - from A6-EDF onwards will feature the "mid haul" config. The main difference to the existing A380s is no dedicated crew rest area, and more economy seats. Total seating capacity will be 517 vs. 489 on the existing aircraft. It is expected that Emirates will have 15 A380s in operation by the end of 2010. The introduction of the "high density" A380s capable of carrying over 600 pax has been put back a couple of quarters.
EK003/004 DXB-LHR-DXB will continue to be serviced by B77W (Suites in F) and will no longer feature A380s (not even 3x weekly as previously anticipated).
EK348/349 DXB-CMB-SIN-CMB-DXB will no longer upgrade to a daily service in Feb 2010 as originally planned. It will only rise to a 5x weekly from the current 4x weekly. Additional frequency operated on Wednesdays.
EK586/587 DXB-DAC-DXB will no longer upgrade to 5x weekly from 3x weekly. The planned aircraft upgrades will go through -- Mon/Wed operated by B777-200 and Sun operated by B777-300ER.
Some good news though...some frequency increases including to some holiday routes:
EK654 DXB-MLE-CMB-DXB will increase from 3x weekly to 6x weekly effective 2 Feb 2010. Additional 3 frequencies operated on Tue, Thu and Sat. The additional services will be operated by 3-class B777-200. The other 3 weekly services on Mon, Wed, Fri will remain on B777-300s.
EK705/706 DXB-SEZ-DXB will get an additional weekly frequency on Thursday operated by A330-200 effective 4 Feb 2010. As a result SEZ increases to 5x weekly.
2 additional weekly flights will be operated to Riyadh (RUH) from January to March. Flights operate Mon and Wed by 3-class A330-200s:
EK3815 DEP DXB 10:00 ARR RUH 10:55
EK3816 DEP RUH 12:10 ARR DXB 14:55
Separately, A6-EBQ, one of the 5x B77Ws capable of ULR (internal EK code) ops, has just come out of heavy maintenance after nearly 2 months and has also had an internal make-over. The aircraft already had newer Weber economy seats and lie-flats in J. Now First class has the suites (i flew it yesterday when it re-entered service on the EK029/030) and these are identical to the other B777s. However a word of note, the IFE remains ICE not ICE digital wide-screen. F also features a small "social area" near the galley although it seemed to be used more by the crew ! It is anticipated that this aircraft will be dispatched alongside the other B77Ws with Suites. Also the other 4 sister-ships, A6-EBR/EBU/EBW/EBY will get refurbished and get the Suites in F over the next year as they go through heavy maintenance.
As a result EK723/724 DXB-ADD-EBB-ADD-DXB will be upgraded to B77W featuring Suites in F, effective 25 December 2009.
Rgds
Emirates777