By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: Emirates has completed the installation of bespoke Expo 2020 Dubai liveries on 40 aircraft, with its final A380 aircraft emblazoned in the distinctive orange ‘opportunity’ decal rolling out of the Emirates Engineering hangar.
The first decal was unveiled in 2017 on an Emirates Boeing 777-300ER aircraft decorated in the blue ‘mobility’ decal. Since then, Emirates’ mini-fleet of Expo 2020 Dubai aircraft have collectively flown to 134 destinations across the airline’s global network, travelling 66 million kilometres on over 15,000 flights, amplifying the message of Expo across borders. Watch all of Emirates’ special Expo 2020 liveried aircraft take off and land within the Emirates network. EXPO 2020 Dubai, will be held between 20 October 2020 and 10 April 2021.
His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group, commented on completion of the unique Expo 2020 liveries: “As we begin to gear up for Expo 2020 Dubai, we are proactively tapping into the power of Emirates’ network to spread awareness and capture the world’s attention around the themes of this global event with our mobility, opportunity and sustainability liveries. Connectivity is the lynchpin that brings together new ideas, fosters global dialogue, and helps us navigate through change. Emirates will play a key role in opening up opportunities for visitors to experience this truly global event, as it offers non-stop flights to Dubai from many of the Expo participating countries, and 70% of the 25 million people targeted to visit Expo 2020 are expected to utilise air transport.”
Her Excellency Reem Al Hashimy, UAE Minister of State for International Cooperation and Director-General of Dubai Expo 2020 Bureau, said: “With less than a year and half left until Expo 2020 opens its doors and welcome millions of visitors from around the world, we are very proud that our Premier Partner, Emirates Airline, is carrying our message around world through its incredible destination network.”
“Emirates’ aircraft carry more than just the colours of our sub-themes of Sustainability, Opportunity, and Mobility. They also carry the UAE’s message of the power of international cooperation to chart a better future for all, exemplified by an Expo that unites 190 countries and millions of visitors here in Dubai.”
The source of inspiration for the Expo 2020 Dubai decals was the event’s logo, based on a 4,000 year old ring excavated at an archaeological site in Dubai. The aircraft decals are comprised of circles and hoops encircling a ring, in three distinct colours reflecting the sub-themes of Expo 2020 Dubai – amber tinged orange for ‘opportunity’, emerald green for ‘sustainability’ and cerulean blue for ‘mobility’. The Expo 2020 Dubai decals will remain on the 40 aircraft until April 2021.
One of the largest decal projects ever undertaken at the Emirates Aircraft Appearance Centre, it took 15,000 hours spanning over 14 months to apply the Expo 2020 decals on 20 Boeing 777 aircraft and 20 Airbus A380 aircraft. The Expo 2020 Dubai decals are also among the largest to be applied on the Emirates Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 fuselages, in addition to covering each aircraft type’s engine cowls.
As the Premier Partner and Official Airline Partner, Emirates will play a key role in helping Expo Dubai 2020 attract visitors, not only to event but also to explore Dubai as a dynamic destination for travel, commerce and innovation. Of the 190 countries that have confirmed their participation in Expo 2020, Emirates currently facilitates connectivity with direct flights to 67 of them, and with its partner flydubai, that number grows to 80 flight connections to Dubai. Emirates will continue to grow passenger and cargo links to Dubai in the lead up to Expo 2020 Dubai. The airline currently has a state-of-the-art fleet of 270 aircraft, covering a network of over 150 destinations in 86 countries.
Emirates’ over 1,700 weekly departures from Dubai facilitate the growth of trade, tourism, connectivity, and opening more opportunities for job creation, inward investment, and a more competitive economy. According to Oxford Economics, Dubai has direct passenger flight connections to 149 cities with populations of over 1 million people, serving a potential export market of 916 million people, or 13% of the world’s population. These air transport links will provide the chance for visitors to experience and participate in Expo Dubai 2020, as well as facilitate the movement of goods for exporters participating in Expo 2020 through Emirates SkyCargo.
Emirates has continued to take progressive steps forward in its sustainability journey through investing in young, efficient aircraft and utilising smarter flying techniques that minimise fuel consumption. Emirates operates a passenger fleet of Airbus A380s and Boeing 777s, with an average fleet age of 5.3 years, well below the industry average. A modern wide-body fleet delivers lower engine and noise emissions, in turn reducing the airline’s carbon footprint. During Expo 2020, Emirates will be showcasing innovations and new technology in commercial aviation around sustainability. Along with its own operations, Emirates also contributes to responsible tourism through its support of important conservation initiatives such as the Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve in the UAE, the Wolgan Valley in Australia’s Blue Mountains, and United for Wildlife’s efforts to combat the illegal wildlife trade.
In addition to the Expo themed liveries, Emirates continues to promote the global event through its in-flight entertainment system, ice, with podcasts, interviews, as well as a dedicated Expo 2020 Dubai channel to engage its passengers and provide an immersive experience into the event. Furthermore, ‘special edition’ Expo 2020 Dubai inspired amenity kits were launched in six different designs for passengers under the different sub-themes and colours.
