The airline with flying colours
Emirates marks 10 years of operations in Malta tomorrow
Since it started operations in Malta 10 years ago, Emirates Airline has put Malta on its vast route network map, connecting the island to key cities in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, the Far East and beyond. Here are some highlights of its achievements
1998
On March 30, 1998, Emirates flew its first A300-600R aircraft to Malta and started operations on two weekly flights via Athens. On that day, few realised that Emirates was more than just another airline - indeed, it was one of the world's most successful and fastest growing international carriers.
The first Emirates flight, EK207 from Dubai, was operated by an all-Maltese crew consisting of Captain Paul Azzopardi and First Officer Cliff Chetcuti. At the time, the airline had three Maltese pilots. The third, First Officer Ian Chetcuti (brother of Cliff Chetcuti), operated the return flight, EK028, which left Malta International Airport for Dubai on the same day, with Captain Cees van Dorren in command.
Emirates appointed Paul Fleri Soler as area manager, injecting experience and effort that has contributed towards Emirates' success in Malta. Initially, the airline was represented on the island by its General Sales Agency, Air Services International.
On August 27, Emirates SkyCargo, the airline's freight arm, appointed Cassar and Cooper Limited as their GSA in Malta.
Seven months later, Emirates' service was increased to three weekly flights on an Airbus A300-600R via Athens.
1999
In May, Emirates SkyCargo launched the state-of-the-art automation system, branded SkyChain, enabling clients from Malta to check and track their cargo consignment online.
2001
On March 25, the airline started operating direct flights, three times a week from Dubai to Malta. Return flights were re-routed via Tripoli instead of Athens.
The direct flights gave travellers to Malta a more convenient connection from Australia and the Far East. Moreover, Dubai became a popular new destination for Maltese business and leisure travellers.
On November 29, the first Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge, in collaboration with Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta, was announced.
2002
In February, Ram Menen, divisional senior vice president, cargo and Nigel L. Page, senior vice president commercial operations, flew to Malta to honour the top travel and cargo agents.
On June 1, Malta deployed a brand new Airbus A330-200 aircraft on its Dubai-Malta flights.
In July, Emirates' recruitment team visited Malta for the first time to hold an open day for prospective cabin crew members.
On November 14, Mercator, Emirates IT division, implemented a major accounting system at Air Malta.
2004
In June, Emirates announced its three-year sponsorship agreement with the Institute of Maltese Journalists to sponsor a new award category - the Travel Journalism Award.
On July 24, Emirates hosted an official presentation of its new Shanghai route to travel and cargo agents at the China Cultural Centre in Malta.
2005
On January 15, Emirates introduced its chauffeur-driven service for departing and arriving passengers in Malta. The airline was the first airline in Malta to provide complementary airport transfers for its first- and business-class travellers.
On September 1, Emirates SkyCargo carried two Maltese-built AC MKV cars to New York, via Dubai.
From October 1, Emirates started flying from Malta to Dubai via Larnaca, Cyprus, four times a week. This new service still offers passengers the opportunity to fly between Malta and Larnaca.
On October 2 Emirates signed a code-sharing agreement with Air Malta on the Malta-Cyprus-Malta sectors.
2006
On May 14, Peter Sedgley, Emirates' vice president, commercial cargo operations, presented the awards to cargo agents and shippers during a dinner at Villa Corinthia in Attard.
On September 1, Emirates marked the launch of its daily non-stop service to Beijing and the increase in frequency from four to five weekly flights from Malta to Dubai, via Larnaca, Cyprus. Keith Longstaff, Emirates' senior vice president commercial operations Europe, honoured seven travel agents during a reception held at the Garden of Serenity in Sta Luċija.
In December, Emirates Airline sponsored the visit of the Team McLaren Mercedes MP4/20 Formula One replica show car to Malta. The event was held in collaboration with the McLaren F1 Club (Malta).
2007
After a two-year break, Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge made a comeback. Following Emirates' sponsorship of Arsenal FC, the airline collaborated with the Arsenal Malta Supporters Club and organised the fourth edition for talented young footballers.
On March 25, Emirates announced its support for the prestigious exhibition entitled The Silent Warriors ‒ Chinese Terracotta Soldiers, which was hosted in Malta by Heritage Malta and Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau in China.
On May 2, the airline introduced a new larger aircraft on the route, a 2-class Boeing 777-200.
On August 16, Emirates SkyCargo carried the prestigious collection of The Silent Warriors - Chinese Terracotta Soldiers from Malta to Beijing via Dubai.
On September 26, Emirates sponsored the first national golf competition organised by the Malta Golf Association (MGA).
On November 2, George Banks, Emirates Airline manager, food product, conducted a presentation on the preparation of onboard meals.
2008
In February, Emirates hosted the documentary film Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity.
On March 27, the airline marked 10 years of services in Malta and announced its daily flights as from December 1, 2008. It also announced its new larger aircraft, a Boeing 777-300, from May 2, 2008.
The Dubai-based airline has grown quickly from a minor to a major scheduled carrier in Malta. Emirates currently employs 124 Maltese citizens as pilots, cabin crew and ground handling staff ‒ involved in operations, sales and administration.
Emirates operates services to 99 cities in 62 countries in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Asia-Pacific. New routes for 2008 include Cape Town, Guangzhou and Calicut. The airline has received more than 300 international awards for its efforts to provide unsurpassed levels of customer service.
Further information and flight bookings can be made online at www.emirates.com.mt
1998
On March 30, 1998, Emirates flew its first A300-600R aircraft to Malta and started operations on two weekly flights via Athens. On that day, few realised that Emirates was more than just another airline - indeed, it was one of the world's most successful and fastest growing international carriers.
The first Emirates flight, EK207 from Dubai, was operated by an all-Maltese crew consisting of Captain Paul Azzopardi and First Officer Cliff Chetcuti. At the time, the airline had three Maltese pilots. The third, First Officer Ian Chetcuti (brother of Cliff Chetcuti), operated the return flight, EK028, which left Malta International Airport for Dubai on the same day, with Captain Cees van Dorren in command.
Emirates appointed Paul Fleri Soler as area manager, injecting experience and effort that has contributed towards Emirates' success in Malta. Initially, the airline was represented on the island by its General Sales Agency, Air Services International.
On August 27, Emirates SkyCargo, the airline's freight arm, appointed Cassar and Cooper Limited as their GSA in Malta.
Seven months later, Emirates' service was increased to three weekly flights on an Airbus A300-600R via Athens.
1999
In May, Emirates SkyCargo launched the state-of-the-art automation system, branded SkyChain, enabling clients from Malta to check and track their cargo consignment online.
2001
On March 25, the airline started operating direct flights, three times a week from Dubai to Malta. Return flights were re-routed via Tripoli instead of Athens.
The direct flights gave travellers to Malta a more convenient connection from Australia and the Far East. Moreover, Dubai became a popular new destination for Maltese business and leisure travellers.
On November 29, the first Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge, in collaboration with Chelsea Supporters Club - Malta, was announced.
2002
In February, Ram Menen, divisional senior vice president, cargo and Nigel L. Page, senior vice president commercial operations, flew to Malta to honour the top travel and cargo agents.
On June 1, Malta deployed a brand new Airbus A330-200 aircraft on its Dubai-Malta flights.
In July, Emirates' recruitment team visited Malta for the first time to hold an open day for prospective cabin crew members.
On November 14, Mercator, Emirates IT division, implemented a major accounting system at Air Malta.
2004
In June, Emirates announced its three-year sponsorship agreement with the Institute of Maltese Journalists to sponsor a new award category - the Travel Journalism Award.
On July 24, Emirates hosted an official presentation of its new Shanghai route to travel and cargo agents at the China Cultural Centre in Malta.
2005
On January 15, Emirates introduced its chauffeur-driven service for departing and arriving passengers in Malta. The airline was the first airline in Malta to provide complementary airport transfers for its first- and business-class travellers.
On September 1, Emirates SkyCargo carried two Maltese-built AC MKV cars to New York, via Dubai.
From October 1, Emirates started flying from Malta to Dubai via Larnaca, Cyprus, four times a week. This new service still offers passengers the opportunity to fly between Malta and Larnaca.
On October 2 Emirates signed a code-sharing agreement with Air Malta on the Malta-Cyprus-Malta sectors.
2006
On May 14, Peter Sedgley, Emirates' vice president, commercial cargo operations, presented the awards to cargo agents and shippers during a dinner at Villa Corinthia in Attard.
On September 1, Emirates marked the launch of its daily non-stop service to Beijing and the increase in frequency from four to five weekly flights from Malta to Dubai, via Larnaca, Cyprus. Keith Longstaff, Emirates' senior vice president commercial operations Europe, honoured seven travel agents during a reception held at the Garden of Serenity in Sta Luċija.
In December, Emirates Airline sponsored the visit of the Team McLaren Mercedes MP4/20 Formula One replica show car to Malta. The event was held in collaboration with the McLaren F1 Club (Malta).
2007
After a two-year break, Emirates Airline Young Footballer Challenge made a comeback. Following Emirates' sponsorship of Arsenal FC, the airline collaborated with the Arsenal Malta Supporters Club and organised the fourth edition for talented young footballers.
On March 25, Emirates announced its support for the prestigious exhibition entitled The Silent Warriors ‒ Chinese Terracotta Soldiers, which was hosted in Malta by Heritage Malta and Shaanxi Provincial Cultural Relics Bureau in China.
On May 2, the airline introduced a new larger aircraft on the route, a 2-class Boeing 777-200.
On August 16, Emirates SkyCargo carried the prestigious collection of The Silent Warriors - Chinese Terracotta Soldiers from Malta to Beijing via Dubai.
On September 26, Emirates sponsored the first national golf competition organised by the Malta Golf Association (MGA).
On November 2, George Banks, Emirates Airline manager, food product, conducted a presentation on the preparation of onboard meals.
2008
In February, Emirates hosted the documentary film Al Maha, Through the Eyes of a Falcon at St James Cavalier Centre for Creativity.
On March 27, the airline marked 10 years of services in Malta and announced its daily flights as from December 1, 2008. It also announced its new larger aircraft, a Boeing 777-300, from May 2, 2008.
The Dubai-based airline has grown quickly from a minor to a major scheduled carrier in Malta. Emirates currently employs 124 Maltese citizens as pilots, cabin crew and ground handling staff ‒ involved in operations, sales and administration.
Emirates operates services to 99 cities in 62 countries in Europe, North America, the Middle East, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and Asia-Pacific. New routes for 2008 include Cape Town, Guangzhou and Calicut. The airline has received more than 300 international awards for its efforts to provide unsurpassed levels of customer service.
Further information and flight bookings can be made online at www.emirates.com.mt
Advert
Popular Stories
In Discussion
Advert
0 Comments
Post comment
Please sign in or create your Account to post comments.