Italian authorities show support for Emirates new Venice route

The Italian authorities have voiced their strong support for Emirates' new route into Venice, saying it presents a strategic opportunity to further develop tourism and trade between Europe and the Middle East.

Emirates Airline started flights into Venice on July 1st, its third gateway into Italy after Milan and Rome. Yesterday, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline and Group led a VIP delegation to Venice aboard EK135 for the inaugural celebrations.

Sheikh Ahmed said: "This is Emirates' 22nd route into Europe, but this service is a bit different because we are not just providing the only direct air link between Venice and the Middle East, we are also bridging one of the world's most historic tourist destinations and one of the fastest-growing modern cities on the planet. Venice Airport is called Marco Polo after the famous 13th century Venetian trader and explorer and Emirates aims to play a vital role in furthering trade in the commercially important north eastern region of Italy."

Emirates’ VIP delegation also included Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President, Commercial Operations Worldwide, Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President - Cargo, Mike Simon, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications and Keith Longstaff, Senior Vice President - Commercial Operations, Europe.

On arrival in Venice, they were greeted by a range of officials and given a performance by traditionally dressed Venetian musicians, before Sheikh Ahmed went on to address a press conference.

Emirates has been working closely with Venice Marco Polo Airport authorities, who welcomed the route launch. Enrico Marchi, Chairman of SAVE, the airport's managing company said: “The new flight is the result of the active partnership built between Emirates and SAVE. It represents a strategic opportunity for the Venice Airport catchment area that may rely for the first time on a non-stop service to the most dynamic and fast-growing destination in the heart of the Middle East."

Mr Marchi continued: "In the past centuries, several merchants and travellers started their journeys from Venice to the undiscovered Asian territories. Today, we are proud that Emirates has chosen Venice Marco Polo Airport to offer to the new travellers the most comfortable way of flying to Dubai and from there to their international network."

The Mayor of Venice, Massimo Cacciari said: "The non-stop Emirates connection between Venice and Dubai opens new, interesting perspectives and opportunities for industrial, business, commercial and tourist exchanges between Venice and the wide area of the Italian North East, catchment area of Marco Polo Airport, and the wider area of United Arab Emirates, in reference to Dubai - the city with the fastest development in the world, and its strategic hub for eastern destinations."

Mr Cacciari added: "The choice of Venice as arrival and transit hub to other Italian regions and other European countries, confirms and brings to the fore again the role and the vocation of “city-bridge”- between West and East - which has defined Venice in the past."

The comments were echoed by Renato Morandina, President APTP AT Venice, who said: “The APT tourist promotion company of Venice province is pleased to team up with the inauguration of Venice - Dubai route. We are sure of the positive effects this flight will have in the immediate future, noting that in 2006, visitor figures to Venice from the Middle East were up 16 per cent, while stopovers increased by 21 per cent. We also recognise Dubai as one of the most important hubs of the Middle East - not only a rapidly growing tourist destination in itself, but also a point of departure for Russia, the rest of the Gulf and the Far East."

Mr Morandina added: "I direct my best wishes so that this new route could be also be a bridge between the cultures of Venice and Dubai.”

As part of the launch celebrations, Emirates hosted more than 400 guests from across Italy and the UAE at a VIP gala dinner at the Palazzo del Casino in Venice where guests were treated to a night to remember in one of the world's most scenic cities. The star of the show was British tenor Russell Watson, who gave a magnificent performance to a captivated audience.

The airline organised a flotilla of vessels to ferry hundreds of guests across the Venetian Lagoon to attend the glitzy gala dinner. The Emirates' guest list was a who's who of the Italian business and diplomatic world including Paolo Dionisi, Italian Ambassador to the UAE, Venice city officials, tourism representatives and Emirates' partners across the travel industry in Italy and beyond.

Initially, Emirates will operate flights five times a week between Dubai and Venice, with prices starting from just AED 2,800. The service, aboard an Airbus A330-200, will become daily from 1st September.