I've a friend working with KLM and says that EK will start A380 flights to AMS in August.

Glad you're not half Canadian too! We're even more embarrassed about the EK situation in Canada!

Yes its true but old news unfortunately. Service starts on 1AUG

nothing really new: Adelaide could be next
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/bus...a-destination/

I don't think gonna happening unless if A380 is accepted delivery. I think they will have postponed date.

A380 to LGW
 

EK015/016 on 06JUL12 will be operated by an A380-800.

July rather than June?

Any particular reason for this?

It's been scheduled for months, and still is.

We will see. Let's wait and see. Please try be more patiently and if they have enough aircraft availability.

I think one-time A380 service to LGW but, there is no double jetbridge for an entire A380. There is no room. I don't think they ever have enough space for an A380.

Emirates to launch flights to Erbil in August
 

Emirates has announced plans to launch new service to Erbil, its third Iraqi destination after Basra and Baghdad.

Starting from 12th August 2012, the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan will be the carrier's 17th passenger destination in the Middle East.

The new service between Emirates' hub in Dubai and Erbil will initially operate four times a week, increasing to a daily service from 1st September 2012. Emirates will fly its Airbus 340-300 on the route, offering 267 seats in a three-class configuration and more than 13 tonnes of cargo capacity.

"Since we first launched flights into Iraq we have seen demand for our services there increase tenfold," said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed AlMaktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group.

"Emirates has been offering a well utilised cargo service to Erbil since February 2011 and we are confident that our new passenger service will be filled in both directions."

Erbil has a population of approximately five million people and is the fourth largest city in Iraq. The Iraqi Kurdistan region has the sixth largest oil reserve globally with many of the world's large oil multinationals availing of offices there.

Emirates SkyCargo, the freight division of Emirates, has been operating a freighter out of Erbil since February 2011.

"We have been facilitating international trade between Erbil and destinations across our network for some time, so we already have a deep understanding of the market and its potential for strong revenue. The launch of Erbil will be our third in Iraq within 18 months, testament not only to the country's potential but also to our own ability to swiftly enter previously underserved markets, opening them up to our global network of 123 destinations," added Sheikh Ahmed.

Emirates currently operates a daily flight to Baghdad and four weekly flights to Basra. The airline has dedicated sales offices in both Iraqi cities.

Erbil will be Emirates' 11th new route to launch in 2012. Already this year, the airline has started flights to Dublin, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Dallas Fort Worth, Seattle, Lusaka, Harare and Ho Chi Minh City. Flights to Barcelona, Lisbon and Washington, DC will join the Emirates' network on July 3rd, July 9th and September 12th respectively.


http://www.ameinfo.com/emirates-laun...-august-304209

EK0949 DXB EBL 0430 0630
EK0950 EBL DXB 0800 1140

4 weekly A343 from August 12
daily A343 from September 01
daily A332 from October 27

I was wondering when Ebril would be added. I wish the timings were a bit better.

Gatwick was granted planning permission back in 2010 to make A380 accommodating works on the North Terminal. Perhaps this is some kind of test to see how the preparations are going.

Emirates A380 to land at London Gatwick
 

Posted 21 June 2012 · Add Comment

The world's largest passenger jet aircraft will touch down at London Gatwick next month as Emirates brings an Airbus A380 to the airport to mark 25 years of service.


The A380 will operate one of Emirates’ three daily flights from Gatwick, enabling passengers to experience the world-renowned amenities on board. These include the world’s first Onboard Shower Spas in First Class, an Onboard Lounge for First and Business Class passengers and an in-flight entertainment system throughout the aircraft with over 1300 channels on demand.

Emirates first flew from the UK on 6th July, 1987 with a daily service from Gatwick. Today, the airline offers 16 daily flights from six UK airports to Dubai where passengers can connect to a network of over 120 destinations worldwide.

“Emirates has changed the face of UK air travel since we took off from Gatwick 25 years ago,” said Salem Obaidalla, Emirates’ senior vice president, commercial operations, Europe & Russian Federation. “Since that time, millions of travellers have flown with us from our six UK departure points to Dubai and beyond.”

“As our network has grown, we have not only introduced new overseas destinations to UK travellers, but have also helped to build trade links for the UK with markets across the globe. We have contributed to the UK economy through job creation, inbound tourism and cargo exports,” Mr Obaidalla added.

Emirates directly employs over 500 people in the UK and more than 2,500 British nationals across the Emirates Group globally.

In addition to its triple daily Gatwick service, Emirates now flies five times daily from London Heathrow, three times a day from Manchester, twice daily from Birmingham and Glasgow, and daily from Newcastle.

“The arrival of a scheduled Emirates A380 flight from Dubai for the first time at Gatwick is a double celebration,” said Guy Stephenson, Gatwick Airport’s Chief Commercial Officer. “It marks the 25 years that Emirates have been operating in the UK, with Gatwick being their first airport. It is also the first time that Gatwick has welcomed a scheduled A380 flight - a huge achievement for the airport.

"This flight arrives at a time when Gatwick is investing in its A380 pier infrastructure, allowing us to pier serve the aircraft from next summer.

"The A380 is rapidly becoming the aircraft of choice to serve major long haul trunk routes. We want Gatwick to be playing its part in this exciting new era of long-haul travel and helping to increase connectivity to key markets.”


http://www.arabianaerospace.aero/emi...n-gatwick.html


A380's at LGW from next summer. Woohoo!!! :D ^

Basra will be increased to daily from 1st August
http://www.routesonline.com/news/29/...m-august-2012/

NCE will get the A345 from 1st September
http://airlineroute.net/2012/06/22/ek-nce-sep12/

A380 to JNB postponed to 1st December
http://airlineroute.net/2012/06/22/ek-jnb-dec12/