Emirates takes off to Haneda

Emirates celebrated the start of its daily, non-stop service from Dubai to Tokyo International Airport (Haneda) with the launch of its inaugural flight.

"We value our partnership with Tokyo International Airport; it is one that helps to connect two global hubs of development and growth - Japan and the UAE. We know that Haneda will play an integral role in our route network and the launch of services demonstrates Emirates' commitment to Japan," said Thierry Antinori, Emirates' Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales Worldwide.

"Since the commencement of Emirates' flights to Osaka in 2002, trade relations between Japan and UAE have flourished. According to JETRO (Japan External Trade Organisation), two-way trade between UAE and Japan rose to $53.1 billion in 2012, up by 5.4 per cent compared to previous year," continued Antinori.

"Haneda is our third gateway in Japan and we are confident that the demand in terms of both passengers and cargo is strong enough to warrant Emirates operating non-stop, daily flights to both of Tokyo's airports, offering our passengers more flexibility on the route to Dubai and onwards to over 70 destinations in the Indian Ocean, Middle East, Africa and Europe," concluded Antinori.

On board Emirates' first flight to Haneda was Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operation Far East & Australasia; His Excellency Daisuke Matsunaga, Consul General of Japan; Ravishankar Mirle, Emirates' Vice President Cargo Commercial; media representatives from the United Arab Emirates and connecting passengers from 17 destinations on Emirates' global network.