Toronto welcomes Emirates’ arrival

In preparation for its anticipated arrival in Toronto, Emirates Airline hosted its signature roadshow event to introduce its award winning products and services to travel and cargo agents. Emirates begins flying non-stop between Toronto and Dubai on 29th October operating its Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route.

The event, which was attended by about 700 travel and cargo agents, introduced the audience to the airline’s various product and service offerings, its growing route network, tourism in Dubai, as well Emirates’ commitment to promoting Toronto as its first Canadian gateway.

“Not only do we see a great many travellers moving between Toronto and the Far and regional Middle East, we also see more and more Canadians choosing Dubai as a leisure destination,” said Nigel Page, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commerical Operations The Americas. “In addition, we expect to see more leisure travellers from our global network choosing Toronto for their vacation plans with the introduction of services.”

“Toronto looks forward to welcoming Emirates. The Toronto roadshow, hosting travel agents from across the region demonstrates a substantial commitment to the city. We look forward to working together through our promotional initiatives to enhance both inbound and outbound travel,” commented Roseanne Longo, Vice President, Leisure Trade Sales, Tourism Toronto.

An additional roadshow is planned in Calgary for 24th September. Emirates already has a number of cargo clients in Calgary, which it has served with its operations there over the last six years.

The roadshow featured a multi-media presentation about Dubai and Emirates and a viewing gallery where guests have an opportunity to view a model of the Emirates’ world renowned Al Maha Desert Resort and Spa.

Emirates will fly its Boeing state-of-the art 777-300ER on the Toronto-Dubai three-times-weekly route, offering 12 First Class, 42 Business Class and 304 Economy Class seats: a total of 358 Seats in a three-class configuration. The aircraft also features the airline’s award-winning entertainment and communications system, ice (information, communication, entertainment), on which passengers can enjoy over 600 channels of entertainment.

Emirates currently employs more than 8,000 cabin crew representing more than 100 nationalities, including more than 100 crew members from North America. In total Emirates employs over 350 Canadians within the entire group with 168 flight deck crew and 90 cabin crew members.

Toronto will be one of six new Emirates destinations in 2007. Earlier this year, Emirates began service to Venice in July, Newcastle in September, Sao Paulo and Ahmedabad are planned in October and Houston in December. Emirates' global route network currently spans 94 cities in 59 countries across Africa, Europe, the Far East, Indian Subcontinent, and North America.

For flight information and bookings, visit: Emirates.com.