DUBAI: Emirates has launched a new daily service from Dubai to Auckland via Bali, reflecting increased interest in the attractive Indonesian island destination and improving connectivity to New Zealand.
The new service offers global travellers a total of three daily services to New Zealand, complementing Emirates’ existing non-stop daily A380 service between Dubai and Auckland and its current daily A380 service between Dubai and Christchurch via Sydney. Travellers will now also enjoy a choice of three daily services between Dubai to Bali in the summer (northern hemisphere)*, as the new flight adds to Emirates’ two existing daily services which are currently operated by a Boeing 777-300ER in a two-class configuration.
On board the inaugural flight, which was welcomed at both Denpasar and Auckland airports with a water cannon salute, was a group of special guests and media.
Emirates’ new Dubai-Bali-Auckland flight provides the only year-round non-stop daily service between Auckland and Bali, giving passengers an opportunity to visit and/or stop over in one of the most popular islands in Indonesia. The airline is operating a 777-300ER on the route, offering eight seats in First, 42 seats in Business and 304 seats in Economy class, as well as 20 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity. The new service will also be the first Emirates Bali flight to offer passengers the airline’s award-winning First Class product.
Sir Tim Clark, President Emirates Airline, said: “We are very pleased to see the interest this new route has created since it was announced in mid-February, reflected in strong bookings from Auckland to Bali and beyond, as well as southbound from our global network. Markets such as the UK, Europe and the Middle East have all responded keenly to the new option provided by us opening up this route. Bali and Auckland are both desirable destinations in the eyes of our customers.”
From New Zealand, most interest in the new route is from leisure travellers of all ages, among them visitors seeking to explore the cultural side of the destination and surfers keen to try Bali’s waves. Tourism is also expected to drive strong interest from Indonesia to New Zealand, as well as travel by students attending learning institutions such as AUT University – which last year opened an Indonesia Centre – and the University of Auckland which enjoys a high international ranking. The number of Indonesian students attending courses in New Zealand grew 20% last year.
With its spectacular mountains, picturesque beaches and cultural appeal, Bali is considered to be a world leading tourist destination, welcoming more than 4.5 million foreign tourist arrivals in 2016, including over 40,500 New Zealanders. Emirates’ new service will add to Bali’s global connectivity, further stimulating the island’s economic and tourism growth.
Auckland is a vibrant, cosmopolitan community of more than 1.6 million people – New Zealand’s biggest city, containing a third of the country’s population. Located on an isthmus between two harbours, the city has a wide range of attractive beaches, including popular surfing spots; has a global reputation as a city of sails with an extensive variety of yacht and motor vessel marinas; and a selection of bush walks within easy reach; as well as numerous award-winning vineyards. Emirates has been operating to Auckland since mid-2003.
Cargo carriage supports trade opportunities
The new route also supports increased demand for trade between Indonesia and New Zealand, and will enable Emirates SkyCargo to offer up to 20 tonnes of cargo capacity on the aircraft per flight. According to recent statistics, it is estimated that the total two-way trade between New Zealand and Indonesia exceeds NZ$1.5 billion. The flight will provide opportunity for Indonesian exports, imports and transhipments through Denpasar as well as exports from New Zealand including cut flowers, fresh produce and chilled foods including fish.
Flight details and connections to Emirates’ global network and beyond
Apart from the opportunity for a stopover in Bali, the new service will provide excellent connections to/from London and other major European cities. The southbound flight, EK 450, will depart Dubai at 07:05, arriving at Denpasar (Bali) at 20:20 local time, before flying on to Auckland at 22:00, arriving in New Zealand’s biggest city at 10:00, the following day.
Northbound, the new service will depart Auckland as flight EK 451 at the convenient time of 12:50, arriving in Denpasar at 17:55 local time. It will depart Denpasar at 19:50, arriving in Dubai just after midnight at 00:45, connecting to flights to many of the points beyond on the extensive Emirates and flydubai partnership network.
World-class service
Passengers in all classes of travel can enjoy WiFi to stay in touch with family and friends or Emirates’ multi award-winning ‘ice’ with up to 3,500 channels of movies, TV programmes, music and podcasts. Emirates provides its customers with a host of culinary offerings prepared by gourmet chefs and fine wines that suit the tastes of everyone. Passengers can also experience Emirates’ renowned in-flight service from the airline’s multi-national cabin crew from over 130 countries, including New Zealand and Indonesia.
Emirates Skywards
Emirates Skywards members can earn up to 17,700 Miles in Economy class, 33,630 Miles in Business Class and 44,250 Miles in First Class with return flights on the new Dubai-Bali-Auckland service. Members can also upgrade from Economy to Business on Dubai to Auckland route from 63,000 Miles. See mile calculator here.
Emirates Skywards, the award-winning loyalty programme of Emirates, offers four tiers of membership – Blue, Silver, Gold and Platinum – with each membership tier providing exclusive privileges. Emirates Skywards members earn Skywards Miles when they fly on Emirates or partner airlines, or when they use the programme’s designated hotels, car rentals, financial, leisure and lifestyle partners. Skywards Miles can be redeemed for an extensive range of rewards, including tickets on Emirates and other Emirates Skywards partner airlines, flight upgrades, hotel accommodation, excursions and exclusive shopping. News Desk
