Emirates is boosting its flight operations to Australia with the aim of meeting the pent-up demand for travel to and from the country. The decision has come in line with Australia's announcement to reopen its borders to international travellers with effect from November 2. As part of Australian government's decision, New South Wales and Victoria are allowing vaccinated travellers to return without undergoing quarantine protocols after both states are reporting a surge in COVID-19 vaccination rates.

As Australia eased its travel restrictions, Emirates has decided to increase the frequency of its flights EK414/415 between Dubai and Sydney to daily effective from November 2, operated by Boeing 777-300ER.

Furthermore, flight services to Melbourne will operate on a four-weekly basis with EK408/409. The frequency can be increase to meet potential rise in demand for travel to Australia.

In addition, the passenger capacity on flights to Sydney and Melbourne has been increased to 100 percent which is seen as a positive sign as post-pandemic recovery is achieving success in Australia. With this development, as many as 354 passengers will be allowed across all cabins to travel on Emirates flights to Australian states.

Emirates airlines has noted that Australian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members will be able to enjoy unrestricted travel to and from Melbourne and Sydney for the first time since the onset of the pandemic globally. Whether passengers are travelling abroad for leisure or to visit family or friends, it is important for them to be fully-vaccinated against COVID-19 with a TGA-approved vaccine.

Emirates is also resuming its flagship A380 aircraft to the Australian skies from December 1 by operating on the Dubai-Sydney route on a daily basis.

Expressing delight about the resumption of flight services on the Dubai-Sydney route, Barry Brown, Emirates Divisional Vice President for Australasia, underlined passengers will witness the return to normalcy. Vaccinated travellers wishing to go home to Australia will be able to travel without restrictions on capacity and quarantine measures upon arrival to New South Wales or Victoria.

Mr Brown stated that Australians will be able to plan holiday and travel to foreign destinations such as the UAE for the Expo 2020 Dubai from November 1.

"Of course that's good news for us as we are ready to serve those customers with access to our network spanning more than 120 destinations via our hub in Dubai, which is convenient for those considering a stopover to embrace the wonders of Expo 2020 Dubai," he added.

He further thanked the customers for their loyalty as the airline navigated the challenges posted by the COVID-19 pandemic. He expressed his commitment to serving Australians as well as adding Sydney to its growing network of destinations served by its popular A380 aircraft.

"Our customers appreciate the spaciousness and amenities of the flagship A380 and starting in December they will be able to experience the exceptional product when flying to or from Sydney," he added.

WAM