EK Upgrades CHC to A380

[Mark M]

Never thought I'd see an A380 regularly in Christchurch but never underestimate EK. Routes DXB-SYD-CHC from the schedule change in late October
http://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/83948418/christchurch-to-get-the-doubledecker-emirates-a380-on-flights-to-dubai

[Jonathan W]

Never thought I'd see an A380 regularly in Christchurch but never underestimate EK. Routes DXB-SYD-CHC from the schedule change in late October
http://i.stuff.co.nz/travel/news/83948418/christchurch-to-get-the-doubledecker-emirates-a380-on-flights-to-dubai
As mentioned, EK412/413 will fly to CHC instead of AKL and will be operated by the A380. EK418/419 (Currently DXB-BKK-SYD-AKL) will now fly to CHC instead of AKL and will be upgauged from the 77W to the A380
Emirates has made additional service adjustment for flights to New Zealand, scheduled to commence on 30OCT16. From this date, EK418/419 Dubai – Bangkok – Sydney – Auckland will become EK412/413 Dubai – Sydney – Christchurch, operated by Airbus A380 instead of Boeing 777-300ER.

EK412 DXB1015 – 0700+1SYD0845+1 – 1350+1CHC 388 D
EK413 CHC1845 – 2005SYD2145 – 0515+1DXB 388 D

Existing EK412/413 Dubai – Sydney – Auckland will become EK418/419 Dubai – Bangkok – Sydney – Auckland. As of 0445GMT, the airline has switched operational aircraft to Airbus A380 for EK418, up to 25MAR17.

EK418 DXB0855 – 1805BKK1930 – 0900+1SYD1040+1 – 1555+1AKL 388 D
EK419 AKL1630 – 1815SYD1945 – 0055+1BKK0225+1 – 0605+1DXB 388 D

http://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/268714/emirates-nw16-new-zealand-service-changes/

[S.Greaves]

Does this mean the existing DXB-BKK-SYD service will be upgraded to A380 aircraft?

I know the direct DXB-AKL-DXB service will be upgraded to A380 in Oct.

At present there are 4 Emirates tails in AKL during the day. Is the the largest number of EK aircraft in one place outside of Dubai?

Cheers

[Mark M]

As far as I understand it's a straight swap with the Chc 773. So EK418 will route DXB-BKK-SYD-AKL. Are Chc yields thar good I must admit that nearly every time I fly the aircraft is almost full. Or is this to give Aucklanders better options to BKK.

[Rowan McKeever]

It's a straight swap on the routing, yes. With the 77W changing to an A380. Elsewchere I've seen it mentioned DXB-BKK will have 6 of its 7 daily flights in A380.

I don't read this as 'giving' AKL anything, rather it's giving CHC a one-stop option to DXB and taking one such option away from AKL which survives with 2 one-stop and a non-stop option to DXB. It's also upping their DXB-BKK capacity, and their (and QF's) SYD-BKK capacity.

[S.Greaves]

I commute to AKL on EK412/3 and in the warmer months it is usually well patronised. Winter months are different, however they always seem to be loading cargo into hold. Business and First do not seem that well patronised with only 12 people on the upper deck on my last trip. I doubt that it would be a better on the SYD-CHC-SYD leg? For an economy passenger the EK A380 is superior to the competition. Next week I'm on a QF 737 and it will a case of being "shoe horned" in compared to the A380.

[MarkR]

I commute to AKL on EK412/3 and in the warmer months it is usually well patronised. Winter months are different, however they always seem to be loading cargo into hold. Business and First do not seem that well patronised with only 12 people on the upper deck on my last trip. I doubt that it would be a better on the SYD-CHC-SYD leg? For an economy passenger the EK A380 is superior to the competition. Next week I'm on a QF 737 and it will a case of being "shoe horned" in compared to the A380.

Emirates had 57% loads across the ditch in June, I guess they are happy with that vs parking the aircraft. The A380 carries negligible freight so that's unlikely to make much difference, they average 13t per aircraft per day or 1598 for the month across all services. As a comparison LAN carried 400 with its solo service.

[Dave Dale]

Well, it will be nice to see the A380 regularly at Christchurch.

[S.Greaves]

Mark, do you know what current loads are on the non-stop AKL-DXB-AKL sector? Once the A380 comes on line I would imagine the attraction of a 1 stop to European destinations will be very attractive for New Zealanders. I would hate to do it on the current B777. At present Kiwis can do 1 stop via the US gateways but it involves change of carrier except for AirNZ London.

[MarkR]

Mark, do you know what current loads are on the non-stop AKL-DXB-AKL sector? Once the A380 comes on line I would imagine the attraction of a 1 stop to European destinations will be very attractive for New Zealanders. I would hate to do it on the current B777. At present Kiwis can do 1 stop via the US gateways but it involves change of carrier except for AirNZ London.

Sorry I don't have access to the NZ data. I am not sure how much a difference it will make with a one stop, NZ couldn't make it work via HKG, although EK do offer a few more destinations than just LHR of course, and that may help.

[S.Greaves]

Thanks. I'm hoping to try the Singapore Airlines CBR-WLG sector next year.

[Shaal L]

just noted they've upgraded the direct dxb-akl EK448 to a380 as well from oct

[MarkR]

Was announced back in June, so it's been on the cards for a while.

[Shaal L]

oh ok Mark . somehow missed that

only just saw today lol

[MarkR]

It's hard to keep track with so many changes, all good. Doesn't look like they will upgrade Adelaide for a while, QR has cut 4000 passengers out of their loads for June.

[James Smith]

Now that Christchurch and the direct Auckland flight are being upgraded to an A380, what is the next step for Emirates in Australia/NZ in the future. Does anyone think they may, at some stage, operate a 777 to Wellington via an Australian east coast port and possibly initially also through SE Asia? This would keep Singapore Airlines honest with their about to launch Singapore to Wellington via Canberra service.

Worth considering or too far out in left field?

[Justin L]

Doesn't look like they will upgrade Adelaide for a while, QR has cut 4000 passengers out of their loads for June.

Not saying EK will add capacity to ADL, but aren't the QR ADL cuts due to their A350 fleet utilization due to delays with new aircraft deliveries? Other QR A350 markets had similar cuts as well I believe.

[MarkR]

Not saying EK will add capacity to ADL, but aren't the QR ADL cuts due to their A350 fleet utilization due to delays with new aircraft deliveries? Other QR A350 markets had similar cuts as well I believe.

I was referring to EK losing 4000pax to QR, as they is what they have dropped on a monthly basis for like to like months.

[Justin L]

Aah I see, got it - thanks.