Emirates to operate special A380 flight to mark launch of IGI Terminal 3

Come 15 July, Emirates Airline will become the first international carrier to operate a special Dubai-Delhi flight that will bring the world's largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A 380 to India.

The flight is being commissioned to mark the launch of Terminal 3 of Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

According to Majid Al Mualla, Emirates' senior vice-president for West Asia and Indian Ocean, the airline has been flying to Delhi since the first day of its operations in 1985.

In a statement today, he said, "Twenty-five years on, 10 destinations and 184 weekly flights certainly represent the efforts and investment that have gone into building a strong relationship with India.''

According to the Dubai-based airline, the special commercial service of the 517-seater A380 would offer a one-off opportunity to passengers to experience the aircraft's luxurious amenities.

The flight EK516 from Dubai will take off from Dubai at 10:10 hours on 15 July and arrive at Delhi and 14:50 hours. The aircraft will be the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport for three hours before returning to Dubai as EK517. It is scheduled to depart on its return flight at 17:50 hours.

"The fact that we are bringing the A380 here is a reiteration of the potential that we see in the Indian market and our intent to partner with the nation in its growth. Over the years, Emirates has evolved to become a company that is global in its operations but firmly connected with the Indian mindset and the consumer," said  Majid Al Mualla.

The airline has placed an order for 32 A380s with Airbus which takes the carrier's total firm order booking for the iconic airline to 90.