Emirates launched the first direct air bridge between the Middle East and America’s Northwest today, as its inaugural service from Dubai departed for Seattle.

Emirates’ Seattle daily service will generate a host of economic benefits, from boosting imports and exports to creating new markets for business and tourism.

Emirates’ recent order for an additional 50 Boeing 777-300ERs fitted with American-made GE90 engines, plus options for 20 more aircraft worth a total of $26 billion at list prices, will support over 100,000 skilled American jobs in more than a dozen US states, the airline said.

“Emirates has looked forward to the day when we would connect Seattle to our home hub in Dubai, on flights operated by state-of-the-art, Seattle-built aircraft,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline & Group.

“This new service is the latest step in Emirates’ strategic programme of expansion across the United States, and we are confident that it will support the burgeoning trade relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the Seattle metropolitan region," he said.

“Emirates highly values its partnerships with American business and industry, and we look forward to strengthening these links as we invest in growing our presence across the country.”

On board today’s inaugural flight from Dubai were: Sheikh Ahmed; Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi - UAE Minister of Foreign Trade; Major General Mohamed Abdulrahim Al Ali - Deputy Minister, UAE Ministry of Defence; Hamad Buamim - director general of Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry; Justin Siberell - US Consul General, US Consulate General of Dubai; Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline; Adel Al Redha, executive vice president - engineering & operations; and Ali Mubarak Al Soori, executive vice president - chairman's office and facilities management.

Emirates is already the world’s largest customer of the Boeing 777 and operates the aircraft to each of its six US gateways: New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and now Seattle.

Flying to 10 Indian cities over 180 times per week, 22 destinations in Africa and points across the Middle East, Emirates will provide easy connectivity between Seattle and these key destinations, making business and leisure travel easier and more convenient for West Coast customers, the statement said.

EK229 leaves Dubai daily at 0950 hours and arrives at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport at 1310 hours. EK230 departs Seattle at 1710 hours, arriving in Dubai at 1940 hours the next day. - TradeArabia News Service