Emirates celebrated the start of its daily, non-stop service from Dubai to TokyoInternationalAirport (Haneda) with the launch of its inaugural flight.

“We value our partnership with TokyoInternationalAirport; it is one that helps to connect two global hubs of development and growth – Japan and the UAE. We know that Haneda will play an integral role in our route network and the launch of services demonstrates Emirates’ commitment to Japan,” said Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ Executive Vice President, Passenger Sales Worldwide.

“Haneda is our third gateway in Japan and we are confident that the demand in terms of both passengers and cargo is strong enough to warrant Emirates operating non-stop, daily flights to both of Tokyo’s airports, offering our passengers more flexibility on the route to Dubai and onwards to over 70 destinations in the Indian Ocean, Middle East, Africa and Europe,” concluded Mr Antinori.

With the new daily flight to Haneda, Emirates SkyCargo is able to add about 23 tonnes per flight, which accounts for about 160 tonnes of additional cargo capacity per week, further supporting Japanese exports of mechanical components, electronic goods and automobile parts, and its imports of gas and oil products. Dubai is an important hub for the re-export of Japanese manufactured products to the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia.

Emirates’ flight EK312 departs Dubai at 0935hrs, touching down at Haneda 0001hrs the following day. The return flight, EK313, departs Haneda at 0130hrs and arrives at Dubai at 0705hrs the same day.

The Boeing 777-200LR aircraft operating the route is equipped with eight luxurious private suites in First Class, 42 of its latest lie-flat seats in Business, and generous space for 216 passengers in Economy, along with gourmet cuisine in all cabins which has been tailored to Japanese passengers, served by Emirates’ multinational cabin crew. The aircraft also features ice, Emirates’ award-winning inflight entertainment system which offers over 1,400 channels showing the latest blockbusters, music and TV.

Emirates now operates services to 134 destinations in 77 countries from Dubai, earlier this year Emirates launched services to Warsaw and Algiers. In addition to Haneda, Emirates has announced plans to launch services to Stockholm starting 4 September, Clark International Airport (Philippines) beginning on 1 October; the same day as it begins its transatlantic route between Milan and New York.

Emirates Holidays, the airline’s tour operating arm, offers holidays to Japan, with itineraries that highlight attractions in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Emirates Holidays provides holiday options that take travellers from Tokyo – the modern capital city; to the majestic Mount Fuji and the natural beauty of Hakone; to Nagoya and Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan; and to Osaka, gateway to the Kansai region.

Emirates flies daily from Dubai to Malta via Larnaka, Cyprus using a Boeing 777-200 aircraft.