News Release, 15 November 2012
Emirates Enhancing NZ-Nigeria Connections
Emirates is responding to strong passenger and cargo demand in Nigeria, by upgrading one of its Lagos flights to a
Boeing 777-300, with both daily services operated by Boeing 777s .
The Lagos flights will offer direct connections each way at Dubai with all four daily Emirates services between New
Zealand and Dubai.
The Airbus A340-500 currently deployed on one of Lagos’ two daily flights will be replaced with a larger Boeing
777-300ER from December 1, giving a 48% boost to seat capacity.
“Deploying a Boeing 777 on the Dubai-Lagos route demonstrates the strong demand from travellers to fly with Emirates and
experience our superior products and services,” said Jean Luc Grillet, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations
for Africa.
“With the introduction of this larger aircraft, we will offer over 10,000 seats every week to and from Lagos. This
aircraft upgrade will offer travellers from West Africa markets seamless connections to the Indian Subcontinent, East
Asia and Australasia, via Emirates Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport,” Jean Luc added.
Nigeria has been part of Emirates’ route network since January 2004, when services were launched between Dubai and Lagos
with four flights a week. The Boeing 777 aircraft will be in a three-class configuration that offers 12 luxurious First
Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 310 passengers in Economy Class.
The Boeing 777-300ER is the backbone of the Emirates fleet, with 91 in service and a further 72 on order.
-ends