Emirates to Operate A380 Service between Christchurch and Dubai from 30 October 2016

Upgrading from the current Boeing 777-300ER fleet that services Christchurch daily, Emirates will be introducing the airline's flagship double-decker aircraft from 30 October 2016 with the introduction of the A380 which will now fly the route five times daily.

Emirates to Operate A380 Service between Christchurch and Dubai from 30 October 2016

The new route will removal Bangkok as an en-route stop and it will allow passengers to travel all the way between Christchurch and Dubai with just one stop in Sydney, Australia. The launch of the Christchurch A380 flights will coincide with the introduction of the A380 on Emirates’ daily non-stop route between Dubai and Auckland. Emirates currently also operates three other daily A380 services between Auckland and Dubai and beyond via Australia (Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane).

Outbound EK412 will depart Dubai at 10:15 hours, seamlessly connecting with southbound services from European destinations such as Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Manchester and many more of Emirates’ 38 Europe services. EK412 will stop only in Sydney before arriving in Christchurch at 13:50 hours the next day (local time). The return flight EK413 will depart Christchurch at 18:45 hours, touching down in Dubai at 05:15 hours the next day after its stop in Sydney, reducing the journey time to Dubai and Europe by about two hours in each direction.

A380 Service between Christchurch and Dubai | Photo Credit: Emirates

At the same time, the Dubai service to Auckland via Sydney, will feature the opportunity for travellers to explore Southeast Asia or Australia en route as this service, EK418, will operate via the popular hub that is Bangkok, as well as Sydney. Flight EK418 will depart Dubai at 08:55 hours and arrive in Auckland at 15:55 hours the following day (local time). The return service, via Sydney and Bangkok, operating as flight EK419, will depart Auckland at 16:30 hours and arrive in Dubai the following morning at 06:45 hours.

Emirates is the only airline offering year-round scheduled A380 services to and from New Zealand.