Emirates points to tourism boost with added Dubai-Los Angeles service

The skyline of Los Angeles, California. Emirates is to fly twice daily to the city. Jerzy Dabrowski / picture-alliance / dpa / AP Images

Emirates highlighted its economic benefits to Los Angeles as the airline announced a second daily flight to the home of Hollywood.

The Dubai carrier's additional flight, a three-class Airbus A380-800ULR, will start operating from July 1.

The increase in capacity by Emirates comes amid US airlines axing routes into Dubai, with Gulf carriers accused of dumping capacity in the United States.

Last month, United Airlines announced that it would end its Washington-Dubai service, following on from Delta saying in October that it would end flights from Atlanta to Dubai.

However, Emirates said today that it will bring added tourism revenue for LA, and help to support jobs with the new service.

“Our existing service provides US$677 million in annual economic benefit to LA and the surrounding area, contributes over $270m in annual spending by visitors, and helps to support nearly 6,000 US jobs,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates divisional senior vice president, commercial operations, West.

“So our additional service to LAX not only doubles our capacity to meet demand for our award winning service, but also increases our positive economic impact to the Los Angeles area.”

Gulf airlines have been accused by US and European rivals of benefiting from unfair subsidies – a claim the big regional carriers have rebutted.

Emirates and Etihad Airways have added huge capacity to the US over the past year, flying to cities that include Atlanta, LA, Boston and Orlando.

Qatar Airways started its first passenger service to the West Coast last week with a non-stop flight to LA.

It also plans to add Boston in March and Atlanta in June.

Emirates said fruit and vegetables will make up the largest portion of cargo exports out of LA - via both the A380 and its two weekly Boeing 777 freighters.

“The vast majority of these exports are transported to Dubai and Kuwait,” it said. “Emirates also facilitates transport of garments, automobiles, machinery, and agricultural cargo to the Middle East, as well as medical equipment to Mumbai.”

Emirates currently serves 10 US destinations.

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