The Emirates Lounge Opens In Auckland

The Emirates Lounge Opens In Auckland

The Emirates Lounge at Auckland International Airport, was officially unveiled today (8 February 2005). Costing nearly NZ$2 million, this dedicated facility for Emirates First and Business Class passengers reflects its dedication to providing consistently high standards of service throughout the customer’s entire travel experience.

Minister for Communications, David Cunliffe, performed the official honours at the new lounge, which is the second to be opened outside of Dubai.

HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Emirates, said, “We are delighted to offer our New Zealand travellers this new level of service. The Emirates Lounge is another way in which we can ensure that our passengers enjoy the unique Emirates travel experience even before they board their flight.”

He added “Emirates is investing nearly NZ$20 million to develop our own lounges at key destinations around the world, providing our premium passengers with a luxurious sanctuary to rest and refresh during their travels. Auckland is our second destination to have this facility, after Brisbane. In the coming months, we plan to unveil a further ten lounges around the Emirates network.”

Spread over 365 square metres, The Emirates Lounge at Auckland International Airport is designed to first-class specifications and fittings. It is divided into three distinct areas including a dining room, lounge area, and a business centre with four individual work stations complete with broadband and wireless LAN. The lounge also offers full male and female shower facilities plus a bathroom accessible for passengers with disabilities.

Passengers will enjoy an extensive menu of both hot and cold dishes accompanied by full bar service, including French champagne, as well as Emirates’ trademark attentive service from dedicated lounge staff.

These lounge facilities are available to both Emirates First and Business Class passengers as well as Gold members of Skywards, Emirates’ frequent flyer programme.

Flight details Emirates currently flies three times daily from Auckland - EK 405, departs 5.10pm (Auckland-Melbourne-Singapore-Dubai); EK 433, departs 6.15pm (Auckland-Brisbane-Singapore-Dubai) and EK 413, departs 6.35pm (Auckland-Sydney-Dubai)

About Emirates Dubai-based Emirates Airline was established in 1985 and has received more than 250 international awards since its inception. Financially independent, Emirates is among the world’s fastest-growing and five most profitable international airlines.

The airline’s fleet is comprised of 73 aircraft and is one of the youngest in the skies. Its order book of 100 aircraft includes 45 Airbus A380-800s, 30 Boeing 777-300ERs (plus nine options), two ultra-long-range Airbus A340-500s, 20 Airbus A340-600 Higher Gross Weight aircraft and three A310-300 freighters. By 2012 Emirates expects to have twice as many jets in its fleet as it does today.

Through its Dubai hub, Emirates offers convenient connections to an extensive global network stretching across 78 destinations in 55 countries in the Middle East, Far East, Australasia, Africa, Europe, the USA and the Indian sub-continent. Over the past year it has begun services to Lagos, Accra, Glasgow, Shanghai, Budapest (cargo only), Vienna, New York, Christchurch and the Seychelles. Later in 2005, the airline also will launch services to Seoul, Geneva and Hamburg.

Besides the airline, the Emirates Group includes Emirates Destination and Leisure Management, Emirates Holidays, Arabian Adventures, Al Maha Desert Resort & Spa, Emirates SkyCargo, Dnata, Mercator, Transguard and Galileo.

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