Emirates to start scheduled A380 operations to Hamburg Airport in October

After years of speculations, Emirates has announced that it will introduce a daily Airbus A380 service to Hamburg. The Arabian airline is set to become the first operator with scheduled commercial A380 flights to the German airport.

The double-daily route between Dubai (DXB) and Hamburg (HAM) is currently served by a Boeing 777-300ER. On October 29, the inaugural A380 flight (EK59/EK60) will arrive in Hamburg. From October 30, the A380 will be deployed on the afternoon service (EK61/EK62), whereas the second daily flight (EK59/EK60) will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER.

In 2011, the Emirates A380 made its first visit during Hamburg Airport’s 100th-anniversary celebrations. Besides, there were some A380 diversions to Hamburg in the past.

Emirates flight #EK55 from Dubai to Dusseldorf is diverting to Hamburg due to heavy snowfall – rare A380 visit at @HamburgAirport https://t.co/8ERDBc6Cbj pic.twitter.com/jYWVvCnmfy

— International Flight Network (@FlightIntl) December 10, 2017

The super-jumbo is a common sight in Hamburg: the Airbus A380s are being fitted at Airbus in Hamburg-Finkenwerder including cabin interior work and final painting. “We are excited to finally bring our Airbus flagship ‘home’ and see Hamburg join the other 48 destinations we currently serve with the A380“, highlighted Volker Greiner, Emirates Vice President North and Central Europe, in a statement.

Airbus A380 (already painted in Emirates livery) during a test-flight from Hamburg XFW pic.twitter.com/CVBkQn4ulA

— International Flight Network (@FlightIntl) August 8, 2016

In addition to the upgraded route between Dubai and Hamburg, Emirates is serving Dusseldorf, Munich and Frankfurt in Germany. Most of the flights between Germany and Dubai are operated by Airbus A380 aircraft.

It is also important to mention that Emirates is not allowed to serve more than four cities in Germany due to the existing bilateral air services agreement from 1975. The capacity increase of over 22% on the route is the logical and necessary consequence.

Moreover, Hamburg and Emirates have a deep relationship: the airline is serving Hamburg for already 12 years and is a sponsor of the famous local sport club ‘Hamburger SV’. Furthermore, Emirates also operated a connection from Dubai (DXB) via Hamburg (HAM) to New York (JFK). Nevertheless, the route was suspended in 2008.