It’s official: the world’s largest passenger plane by Emirates is back in the skies today.
Having been grounded since March, the Dubai-based airline has relaunched services with the A380 superjumbo to Paris and London Heathrow.
The four-month hiatus was broken after the superjumbo departed from Dubai International Airport this morning on its way to London and was set to land today at 12pm local time.
However, that’s not the only A380 to have been in the skies today, another superjumbo departed for Paris-Charles De Gaulle airport which is set to land in the French capital at 2pm local time.
The last A380 passenger service that ran before its suspension was from San Paulo, Brazil to Dubai on March 25.
The Emirates @Airbus A380 returns to the skies with flights to @HeathrowAirport & @ParisAeroport. Emirates will also deploy a daily A380 to Amsterdam @Schiphol & a second daily A380 service to @HeathrowAirport from 1 August. https://t.co/8yWrLHSXHy#FlyEmiratesFlyBetter @DXB pic.twitter.com/MEY140hjHP
— Emirates Airline (@emirates) July 15, 2020
While the majority of air travel has been on hold for the last few months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, over the last month or so Emirates have relaunched services to destinations across the globe, with their network now reaching 58 cities.
Coinciding with the relaunch of the superjumbo services to Paris and London, the Dubai-based airline has announced that on August 1 its daily A380 service to Amersterdam will resume, as well as a second daily service to London Heathrow.
It’s yet another positive sign things in the region are returning to a resemblance of normality, especially given as the Dubai borders recently opened to tourists.
Last week the emirate welcomed tourists with open arms as borders reopened, with visitors receiving a new sticker on their passports was unveiled reading, “A warm welcome to your second home.”
Speaking on borders reopening to visitors, Major General Mohammad Ahmad Al Marri, Director General of GDRFA-Dubai, said tourists were “always welcome”.
“We welcome all tourists and visitors to the country through Dubai Airports,” he said. “They are always welcome in their second country and we are ready to facilitate their procedures based on the highest levels of safety.”