Emirates Airline adding A380 service to Mumbai

Emirates Airline has more A380s in service than any other airline. Aziz Shah / AP Photo

Emirates Airline will deploy the Airbus A380 superjumbo on its Mumbai route from July 21 following discussions between the Dubai and Indian governments on increased capacity for the emirate's carriers.

Dubai airlines will be provided an additional 11,000 seats each week in a phased manner.

Emirates will fly a three-class A380 to India’s financial capital, and will operate a Boeing 777 aircraft to Delhi and Hyderabad, it said.

Indian authorities had previously prevented the A380 from flying to the country in a bid to support Air India and prevent the national carrier from losing market share on international travel to rivals overseas. But after recent discussions the situation changed.

“A combined total of 3,779 one-way weekly seats will be deployed on Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad through these aircraft upgrades,” Emirates said.

The Dubai-based airline has been serving the Indian market since its inception in 1985. India is currently Emirates’ largest market, which it serves with 185 flights per week.

The world’s biggest customer of the Airbus A380 superjumbo, said that the Mumbai service will feature 14 first class suites, 76 business class seats and 399 economy class seats.

The carrier made headlines at the Dubai Airshow in November when it ordered US$99 billion worth of aircraft – including 150 Boeing 777X and 50 A380s. It has 217 aircraft in its fleet.

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