Dublin service ‘more opportunity than risk’ in challenging industry

LAUNCHING a high-profile long-haul airline service out of Dublin, in the current climate, may raise a few eyebrows.

Some will see it as a vote of confidence in the economy; others as a high risk venture. But, for those with most to lose — the Emirates management team, in this case — this is more opportunity than risk.

In Dublin, yesterday, to unveil the new daily service to Dubai — which officially gets off the ground next month — Emirates’ executive vice president for worldwide passenger sales Thierry Antinori exuded relaxation and confidence.

Not for him concerns over falling numbers of Irish people holidaying abroad; perceived high charges at Irish airports and ongoing recessions. For starters, the annual fall in people travelling abroad is slowly correcting; to the point where 2012 is expected to see a healthy increase in overseas travel from Ireland.

Secondly, while remaining tight- lipped on speculation that Emirates has received a hefty discount on passenger charges at Dublin Airport, Mr Antinori said that he has no complaints or issues with DAA charges.

“The industry is challenging at present; but most of that challenge is down to the cost of fuel. We are seeing revenue and customer demand both growing. Regarding Dublin, this is a long-term strategy for us, but there is always opportunity whatever the economic climate,” he said.

Emirates’ Irish launch means that the two big UAE (United Arab Emirates) players — itself and the Abu Dhabi-based Etihad — are directly serving Ireland; the latter beginning its service in 2007, the same year that Aer Lingus announced the closure of its Dublin-Dubai route.

But, that’s where the similarities seem to end. Emirates knows that Irish people aren’t just flying with them in order to get to Dubai for a bit of post-Christmas warmth. Emirates is positioning itself to be the main solution for anyone travelling from Ireland to — or beyond — the UAE. Mr Antinori said that Emirates will be a better Dublin-Dubai service because it will have better onward connections

Despite 5,000, or so, Irish living in Dubai and around 170,000 people holidaying there, between 60% and 70% of Irish travellers landing there connect to onward flights.