Emirates to increase Melbourne service to twice-daily

The carrier will operate two daily A380 superjumbo flights on the route from 1 May

Emirates is to add a second daily flight between Dubai and Melbourne.

The additional flight EK406 will depart Dubai daily at 1005, arriving in Melbourne at 0530 the following day, with the return leg EK407 leaving the Australian city at 2115 and landing back in Dubai at 0515 the next day.

The existing service EK408 departs Dubai at 0240, arriving in Melbourne at 2150, before returning as EK409 at 0515 the following day, landing in Dubai at 1310.

Australia reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travellers on 21 February and Emirates said that the expansion of services was being supported by the government to help fast-track the return of international flights to Melbourne and bring more visitors to the state.

Starting in May, Emirates will offer a total of 42 weekly flights to Australia with A380 services to Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane and flights to Perth operated on the airline’s B777-300ER aircraft.

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Commenting on the increased flight frequency, Emirates divisional vice president for Australasia Barry Brown said: “As an international airline that has been serving Australia for over 25 years, we are especially delighted to boost our services to Melbourne, adding yet more seats and flight options to the Victorian capital.

“Our second daily A380 service reaffirms our ongoing commitment to Australia and our loyal passengers as demand for international travel continues to increase. The newly expanded flight schedule also means our customers can experience three continents in one day, enjoying their breakfast in Australia, lunch in Dubai and dinner in Europe.”

For more information, visit www.emirates.com