Sir Tim Clark officially launches new Emirates Lounge at Glasgow Airport

GLASGOW, UK – 23 July 2014 – Emirates is celebrating the start of the Commonwealth Games in style with the official opening of its first lounge at Glasgow Airport, unveiled this morning by the airline’s President Sir Tim Clark. Emirates is the first non-domestic airline to open a dedicated world-class lounge at Glasgow Airport and it comes as the airline marks its 10th year of service to the Scottish city. With the opening of the lounge, Glasgow becomes the 36th lounge in Emirates’ six-continent network.

The introduction of the lounge, which is now the largest at Glasgow Airport, illustrates Emirates’ ever-growing commitment to Glasgow and forms part of an enhanced offering for Emirates’ First Class and Business Class passengers as well as its Platinum and Gold Skywards customers.

The lounge showcases premium Scottish products and celebrates Emirates’ growing commitment to Scotland and the role it plays as a vital passenger and cargo market.  It has already generated significant increased business with local suppliers, including catering opportunities with Loch Fyne smoked salmon, Bellhaven Brewery and Glenmorangie whisky.

Sir Tim Clark (President of Emirates Airline) commented:

“Our new Emirates lounge at Glasgow, the largest at the airport, represents a significant US$ 3.5 million[F1]  direct investment in the city and its opening comes as we celebrate our 10th year of flight to Scotland. The lounge brings an unrivalled premium airport experience to our passengers while also embodying our commitment to driving growth in the city and the Scottish nation.

Since we began flying to Glasgow, we have connected more than 2.6 million people with destinations across the globe and carried more than 50 million kilos of cargo to and from the region. With a 65 percent market share of Scotland’s air transport export market, Emirates is the country’s link to key export markets for Scotland’s most renowned commodities -including seafood and whisky. In 2014 alone, our carried exports from Scotland have increased by 77 percent year-on-year, with premium Scottish salmon destined for China making up the largest proportion of that total.”

 

Amanda McMillan (Managing Director, Glasgow Airport) said:

 “Emirates’ new world-class lounge will be a fantastic and welcome addition to Glasgow Airport. Over the course of the past 10 years, Emirates has established itself as Scotland’s leading long-haul airline and the opening of the lounge further demonstrates its continued commitment to Scotland. Earlier this year, Emirates created aviation history when it became the first airline to bring the world’s largest commercial aircraft, the A380, to Scotland. It continues to be an airline of firsts and this new lounge, the first to be opened by a non-domestic carrier at Glasgow Airport, will enhance the already excellent service it provides to its Scottish passengers.”

Featuring the airline’s trademark fine wines, gourmet food and fitted with Emirates’ latest lounge designs to create a relaxing environment, the lounge provides an unrivalled premium experience for Emirates’ First Class and Business Class passengers.  Located in the departures corridor of the main international departures lounge, the lounge provides passengers with extensive views of the airfield and is a short walk from Emirates’ preferred boarding point at gate 30. Expected to welcome approximately 100 premium passengers travelling on Emirates’ twice daily services to Dubai, the lounge’s facilities include formal and relaxed seating areas, a dining area, shower facilities and a business centre. With a relaxing water feature and bespoke artwork, the courteous service from dedicated staff complete the signature Emirates lounge experience. The lounge has resulted in the creation of 21 full-time positions at the airport.

The Emirates Lounge – Glasgow

-      Emirates First Class and Business Class passengers as well as Emirates Skywards Platinum and Gold members, can access the lounge.

-      Guests can enjoy an extensive open buffet of gourmet dishes from both Italy and around the world, as well as a complimentary full-bar service including premium wine, spirits and champagne.

-      Other services include; a fully equipped business centre with Wi-Fi connection, TV and reading areas, shower facilities and a prayer room.

-      The Emirates lounge can seat 139 passengers in an area of 736 square meters with runway views.

-      Furnished with Italian marble floors, gold Rolex clocks, leather armchairs and mahogany furniture, in line with the worldwide Emirates quality standards.

-      With the opening of the new lounge in Glasgow and a total of $319 million [F2] invested worldwide, Emirates now operates 36 dedicated lounges around its six-continent network including  in Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing,  Birmingham, Brisbane, Colombo, Delhi, Dubai (x6) , Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hong Kong, Istanbul, Johannesburg, Kuala Lumpur, London Gatwick, London Heathrow, Manchester, Melbourne, Milan, Munich, New York - JFK, Paris - Charles de Gaulle, Perth, Rome, San Francisco, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney and Zurich.      

 

-Ends-

Notes to editors

Emirates connects people and places around the globe, inspiring travel and facilitating trade across 143 destinations in 81 countries.  On-board its modern and efficient fleet of 222 aircraft, Emirates offers award-winning comfort and service, delivered by friendly cabin crew representing over 130 nationalities.  Today, Emirates operates the world’s largest fleets of the iconic A380 and popular Boeing 777s.

On the ground, Emirates connects millions of people each year through its other operations including Emirates Holidays, its destination marketing arm, and tour operator Arabian Adventures. Seamless trade connections are supported through Emirates SkyCargo, its cargo division. 

Emirates is an Official Partner of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Official Airline of the Queen’s Baton Relay. These partnerships strengthen the airline’s commitment to Glasgow and Scotland and will play a key role in profiling the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on a global stage.

Emirates operates 112 non-stop flights per week from the UK to Dubai – five A380 services a day from Heathrow, three daily from London Gatwick and Manchester, two per day from Birmingham and Glasgow and a daily service from Newcastle.

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For further information, please contact Rhianna.thompson@fleishmaneurope.com