Emirates announced that it plans to introduce its Airbus A350 fleet to Australia, starting with Adelaide.
The Dubai-based airline said that it is eyeing mid-2024 to begin the operations, adding that it is in “close discussions” with Adelaide Airport (ADL) to restart direct services as part of its commitment to expand its Australian network.
“Emirates’ addition of nonstop services to Adelaide is in lockstep with our commitment to Australia to expand and improve connectivity options for travelers. We can’t wait to be back in Adelaide and once again play a key role in South Australians’ international travel plans,” Barry Brown, Emirates divisional vice president Australasia, said in a statement emailed to AeroTime.
Brown also said that the airline is “very close” to resuming its full schedule of pre-pandemic direct services, and that it is working hard to match capacity back with demand, as more of its aircraft are rolling back into service.
“Even as more capacity comes back into Australia, airlines, especially those with long-haul services, will continue to face challenges in striking a balance to offset these costs where possible,” Brown said, addressing the airfare hike in Australia.
Brown continued: “In spite of these challenges, we’re committed to strengthening our schedules as much as we can, and offering the essential connectivity that Australian travellers have come to know and expect of us.”
