Orlando International Airport opens gateway to Middle East

MAR 25, 2015: Central Florida will gain a new global gateway to the Middle East and Asia with the launch of non-stop air service from Orlando to Dubai. Orlando International Airport continues to broaden its global connections by welcoming Emirates airline flights to and from Dubai beginning September 1, 2015. The route will also offer access to other popular destinations throughout Asia and Africa.

Emirates airline, one of the world’s leading airlines, will launch daily non-stop flights between Dubai and Orlando International Airport using Boeing 777-200LR aircraft with eight First Class suites, 42 Business Class lie-flat beds and 216 Economy Class seats. This new route will link the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates and Central Florida, the most visited destination in the United States.

“This is a great day for Orlando,” said Frank Kruppenbacher, Chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority. “The benefits of this new service will be measured not only financially with a $100 million economic impact annually to the region, but also for decades to come as our business community takes advantage of efficient access to new destinations on several continents.”

“This is a landmark new route for Orlando that for the first time offers our customers non-stop service to the high-growth Middle East region with convenient connections to India, China, Africa, and Southeast Asia,” said Phil Brown, Executive Director of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority.

“Orlando International Airport has always been an engine for economic growth and job creation in Central Florida,” said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer. “Today’s great news that Emirates will fly non-stop Orlando to Dubai will boost our local economy with new jobs and continue to further Orlando as a premier global travel destination.”

“Orlando is one of the world’s premier leisure and conference destinations, a dynamic business centre and a destination which Emirates has long wished to serve,” said Sir Tim Clark, President, and Emirates. “As a growing region, we believe that our service will facilitate further growth for both Orlando as well as Central Florida by connecting the city with our global network of 145 destinations across 80 countries; and give customers from Orlando the choice of flying Emirates whilst experiencing our award-winning inflight product and service.