Emirates’ A380 makes its Kuala Lumpur debut

Emirates has marked the New Year in a ‘big’ way by becoming the first airline to operate a scheduled Airbus A380 service to Malaysia.

The airline’s flagship, operating as EK346, arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport to a traditional welcome of a water canon salute.

“We have been eagerly awaiting the start of our Airbus A380 service to Malaysia, a country that we have been operating flights to since 1996,” said Richard Jewsbury, Emirates’ senior vice-president, commercial operations for the Far East and Australasia.

The start of 2012 will be a busy time for Emirates. In addition to launching its A380 aircraft on one of the three daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, the airline will expand its network to include Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro this month.

Emirates operates daily flights from Malta to Dubai via Larnaca, the Cypriot capital.

Emirates’ A380 arrives at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on the first day 2012, becoming the first airline to operate a scheduled Airbus A380 service to Malaysia.