Emirates flight EK 025 from Dubai landed at Glasgow shortly after 7.30pm, marking the start of a new daily rather than twice-daily Glasgow-Dubai service, which will run until 30 September.
The A380 has been deployed on the route temporarily to consolidate the airline’s twice-daily Boeing 777 service to a single flight due to planned runway works at Dubai International airport, which has reduced capacity.
From 1 June, the twice-daily service will be reinstated, the A380 operating the early leg and the 777 the later leg. The route will then revert to a twice-daily 777 service from 1 October.
Weighing in at up to 575 tonnes, the 489-seat, double-decker A380 necessitated “significant” infrastructure investment at Glasgow of about £8 million to accommodate the larger aircraft.
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Emirates launched its Glasgow-Dubai service in 2004, offering local travellers onward connections to Thailand, Australia and India via the Middle East hub.
In August 2017, Emirates passenger numbers at Glasgow broke through the four million barrier and has surpassed 4.5 million to date. The airline has since added an Edinburgh-Dubai route.
“Emirates’ Glasgow-Dubai service has been a huge success story for Scotland during the past 15 years,” said Mark Johnston, Glasgow airport managing director.
“By investing more than £8 million in our infrastructure, we are confident Scotland’s busiest long-haul route will continue to flourish thanks to premium service offered by the introduction of the Emirates A380 aircraft.
“Watching this incredible aircraft touch down on our runway is an experience that will live long in the memories of everyone involved.
"It may have only taken just a few moments for the Emirates A380 to land, but the planning and effort that has gone into bringing this iconic aircraft to Glasgow Airport has been years in the making.”
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Richard Jewsbury, Emirates vice-president UK, added: “The arrival of the A380 is a new milestone in Emirates’ 15-year relationship with Glasgow airport and a step forward for Scottish air travel. Our flagship aircraft continues to capture the imagination of passengers, more than 10 years after it first took flight.
“During its six-month visit to the city, the daily service will give thousands of travellers through Glasgow the chance to experience the best in air travel.
"The demand for our services out of Scotland has been very positive and this new service is a fitting way to celebrate Glasgow’s 15th anniversary.”
