Houston Community News >> Emirates Boosts Service at Houston Bush Airport
2/1/2008 Houston, TX -- Just two months
after inaugurating historical new service from Houston's George Bush
Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Emirates Airlines began operating today
the first of four additional weekly flights. As of February 1, 2008, the
carrier now offers daily nonstop service to Dubai in the United Arab
Emirates.
Fueling this rapid and considerable growth was the international airline's impressive performance to date. According to statistics from the Houston Airport System, Emirates has been operating its previous three-times-a-week service at an average load factor of 80 percent.
"Entering any new market usually means building up your passenger base and getting the word out about your new service. Most carriers start off at a load factor of about 70 to 75 percent. The fact that Emirates has exceeded that trend from the beginning, confirms that Houston is a very dynamic market," says Richard M. Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System. "We are very excited about Emirates' new daily service to Houston and are looking forward to their continued success."
The Middle Eastern carrier reports that over 70 percent of their passengers are members of the city's international oil and gas industry. In addition, Emirates is handling approximately 16 tons of air cargo out of Houston and bringing in roughly 10 tons, on each flight. Houston is only the second destination in the United States served by the airline.
"As predicted, the Emirates nonstop service between Dubai and Houston has been popular among business and leisure travelers alike," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, executive vice president of commercial operations worldwide for Emirates.
The new daily service is expected to generate up to $300 million in positive economic impact for the local region.
Fueling this rapid and considerable growth was the international airline's impressive performance to date. According to statistics from the Houston Airport System, Emirates has been operating its previous three-times-a-week service at an average load factor of 80 percent.
"Entering any new market usually means building up your passenger base and getting the word out about your new service. Most carriers start off at a load factor of about 70 to 75 percent. The fact that Emirates has exceeded that trend from the beginning, confirms that Houston is a very dynamic market," says Richard M. Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System. "We are very excited about Emirates' new daily service to Houston and are looking forward to their continued success."
The Middle Eastern carrier reports that over 70 percent of their passengers are members of the city's international oil and gas industry. In addition, Emirates is handling approximately 16 tons of air cargo out of Houston and bringing in roughly 10 tons, on each flight. Houston is only the second destination in the United States served by the airline.
"As predicted, the Emirates nonstop service between Dubai and Houston has been popular among business and leisure travelers alike," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, executive vice president of commercial operations worldwide for Emirates.
The new daily service is expected to generate up to $300 million in positive economic impact for the local region.