Dubai’s Emirates to operate one-off A380 to Muscat

Dubai carrier Emirates will operate a one-off Airbus A380 service to Muscat International Airport next month to mark 25 years since it began flights to Oman.

The July 1 flight will re-affirm the airport’s ability to handle the aircraft after opening a new terminal in March.

Read: Video: Muscat’s new airport readies for first flights

It will have 429 economy class, 76 business class and 14 first class seats.

“It is a very important destination for us in the region and we maintain our strong commitment to the country,” said Emirates divisional vice president of commercial operations UAE and Oman Khalid Bel Jaflah

“We look forward to showcasing our innovative products and stylish amenities on-board this iconic aircraft to our trade partners and travel industry stakeholders in Oman.”

Emirates began its Muscat service in 1993 and has carried more than 4.3 million passengers to and from the sultanate. Today it offers three flights a day to the Omani capital.

The one-off A380 will be on the EK862/863 morning service, which departs at 8:25am and arrives in Muscat at 9:35am before returning at 12:05pm and landing at 1:10pm.

Emirates is by far the largest operator of the A380 aircraft, with 103 in service to 50 destinations and a further 59 aircraft pending delivery.

It will also begin flying the superjumbo to Osaka and Hamburg in October.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates to serve Osaka with A380, offers Santiago discounts

In April, Emirates president Tim Clark said the airline would likely commit to options for 16 more of the jets “sooner rather than later” under a $16bn deal for 20 planes finalised in February.

That agreement secured the future of the A380 programme for at least another decade after a lack of orders meant Airbus was considering its future.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates to exercise Airbus A380 options “sooner rather than later”

Emirates recently revealed in a company podcast that it planned to use the new double-decker jets to launch a long-awaited premium economy service from 2020.

Read: Dubai’s Emirates eyes 2020 premium economy launch