Emirates Airline launched daily nonstop service into Dallas/Fort Worth Airport from Dubai today, marking the first service between North Texas and the Middle East.
Emirates Flight 221, aboard a 260-passenger Boeing 777 widebody, landed at D/FW about 8:45 a.m. and taxied to Terminal D, receiving the customary "shower of affection" from two airport fire engines. Emirates' return flight left just before noon.Airline and regional officials hailed the launch of the flight as significant in opening connections between North Texas, the Middle East, India, Africa and other points."It tells us we have a very strong positive image, and we are doing business all over, even though our partners at American Airlines are going through a major downturn," said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price said, asked to put event in context with major cuts announced Wednesday by American, D/FW's dominant carrier."I think it just shows a huge amount of confidence," Price said.Price, representing the D/FW Airport Board, toured the Emirates aircraft, viewing the crew quarters and sampling the first-class amenities with the help of flight attendants and two pilots.In a ceremony marking the flight's arrival, Price, who was wearing a black Stetson, gave her hat to Yousef Al Otaiba, the United Arab Emirates ambassador to the United States, who put it on to a perfect fit and applause."He was so charmed by it," said Price, adding one of her afternoon's first errands would be to buy a new hat she could wear in Thursday night's Grand Entry at Fort Worth Stock Show rodeo.D/FW estimates the route will add $227 million of annual economic impact for the region. Jeff Fegan, the airport's CEO, used the words "monumental" and "momentous" in welcoming the Dubai-based airline to D/FW.Al Otaiba said more companies from Texas do business in the the UAE than any other state. They include area companies including Lockheed Martin, Fluor, AT&T and Hillwood.Texas exports about $2 billion worth of goods to the UAE annually, "which means a lot of Texas jobs," Al Otaiba said.Nigel Paige, senior vice president, commercial operations, Americas for Emirates, said the inbound flight was about 76 percent full and the return flight nearly 100 percent."I'm not going to say it's always going to be like that, but we're getting off to a good start," said Paige, who arrived on the inbound flight and was planning to return to Dubai on Friday.Paige estimated the route would be dominated by business travellers, but that passengers visiting friends and family might make up 30 percent of traffic and tourists another 5 percent.Tourism is a "small amount at the moment, but I think we'll build it," Paige said.Paige is returning to the United States in a month to help launch flights into Seattle/Tacoma, Emirates' sixth U.S. destination.Beyond that, the airline -- which will launch service this summer into Ho Chi Minh city in Vietnam and Barcelona, hasn't announced any new U.S. destinations."These long-range routes are challenging," Paige said, citing fuel in particular, which makes up about 40 percent of the airline's costs. "I'm proud to say we're profitable."Scott Nishimura, (817) 390-7808Twitter: JScottNishimuraHave more to add? News tip? Tell us
