OREANDA-NEWS. Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, has further expanded its European reach today with the start of its daily non-stop service to Stockholm.

The VIP delegation aboard today's flight to Stockholm included Hubert Frach, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, West; Pradeep Kumar, Emirates' Senior Vice President Cargo Revenue Optimisation and Systems; Professor Najib Al Khaja, CEO of MAF Healthcare - Majid Al Futtaim Group; Christer Skogum, President of ABB Metals; Anders Lindblad, Middle East Regional Head for Ericsson; Daniel Alexander Clayton, Regional Food & Beverage Manager for IKEA - Al Futtaim Group; Nils Axing, General Manager of Bab Al Bahr, Fairmont Abu Dhabi; and Maya Ternstrom, Executive Director of the Swedish Business Council, in addition to local and regional media representatives.

“Stockholm is an important centre for business, industry and services in Scandinavia, with an average annual GDP growth of 3.5 per cent forecast for the coming years,” said Hubert Frach.

The VIP delegation prepares for departure to Stockholm. From left to right: Christer Skogum, President of ABB Metals, Anders Lindblad, Middle East Regional Head for Ericsson, Hubert Frach, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, West, Maya Ternstrom, Executive Director of the Swedish Business Council, Pradeep Kumar, Emirates' Senior Vice President Cargo Revenue Optimisation and Systems and Professor Najib Al Khaja, CEO of MAF Healthcare - Majid Al Futtaim Group

“Emirates' new service will play a significant role in supporting this growth by connecting Stockholm to well-established and emerging markets in the Far East, opening new conduits for trade, investment and tourism. Our home base of Dubai is a dynamic hub for global commerce and tourism. In fact, more than 5.5 million tourists visited Dubai in the first half of 2013. The city is poised to attract visitors from a range of source markets, including targeting a new generation of first-time travellers from emerging markets,” Mr Frach added.

The inaugural flight was welcomed by H.E. Mrs Ewa Bjorling, Minister of Trade, Sweden; Mrs Torborg Chetkovich, President and CEO, Swedavia and H.E. Sheikha Najla Al Qassimi, Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Sweden along with partners from the travel trade and local media.

“I am very pleased to have the honour to inaugurate the first direct flight from Stockholm to Dubai. This flight will have a great impact on our bilateral trade and cultural exchange,” said H.E. Mrs Ewa Bjorling.

“I am particularly pleased to welcome a premier airline like Emirates to Stockholm Arlanda Airport. Passenger travel between Stockholm and Dubai has grown by about 600 per cent over the last 10 years and we see great opportunity for both business and leisure travel. Also, with this daily flight Swedes will have easy access to popular destinations in Asia, India and Africa with just one stopover due to Emirates extensive network,” said Torborg Chetkovich, President and CEO, Swedavia.

The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft operating on the route is well-appointed with eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class, and ample space for 216 customers in Economy Class. Locally sourced, fresh gourmet cuisine in all cabins is served by Emirates' multinational cabin crew. The airline currently employs more than 140 Swedish nationals, including 50 cabin crew members and 64 flight deck crew.

Emirates' award-winning inflight entertainment system ice offers up to 1,500 channels showing the latest blockbuster films, TV programmes, and an extensive repertoire of music from around the world.

Customers on Emirates flights also enjoy extra baggage allowance - 30 kilogrammes for those travelling in Economy Class, 40 kilogrammes for Business Class and 50 kilogrammes for First Class.

In addition to passenger operations, Emirates SkyCargo offers 17 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity between the two cities. Popular commodities include pharmaceuticals, construction equipment, electronics, perishable food items, textiles, leather goods, plants and flowers.

Emirates flight EK157 departs Dubai at 0715hrs* and lands in Stockholm at 1200hrs the same day. EK158 departs Stockholm at 1355hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2255hrs.

Emirates now operates services to 135 destinations in 77 countries from Dubai. Earlier this year, Emirates launched services to Warsaw, Algiers and Haneda. On 1st October, Emirates will launch services to Clark International Airport in the Philippines and on the same day will commence its transatlantic Milan-New York route. Emirates will launch a linked service to Conakry in Guinea from 27th October, Sialkot in Pakistan on 5th November, and will expand its presence in Eastern Europe with the launch of Kiev on 16th January 2014, followed by Taipei on 10th February 2014.