Emirates Airlines sets in Lyon-Saint Exupéry
04-Jul-2012 Today Emirates Airlines announced that it will be establishing itself at Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport. As of 5th December, the airline will begin offering 5 weekly flights onboard an A340-500 bound for Lyon.
As of 5th December 2012, the A340-500 with a 3-class layout (12 seats in 1st class, 42 seats in business class and 204 seats in economy class), will provide to passenger a direct flight to Dubai, and access to the global airline's network. The flights will run 5 times weekly on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. The aircraft will land at Lyon-Saint Exupéry at 7pm and depart for Dubai International Airport at 8:55 pm. Emirates Airlines will be located in Terminal 2, with a dedicated lounge for business travellers. This new route is also an opportunity for passengers from Dubai to discover the tourist attractions the region has to offer It also provides an easy access to the Alps, the largest ski area in the world.
Beyond Dubaï, this new route offers to Lyon and the entire Rhône-Alpes region a privileged access from and to Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Indian Ocean. Also, it is the opportunity for Aéroports de Lyon to be part of a rapidly growing and efficient air network, one of the most dynamic networks in the world. The arrival of Emirates Airlines is part of Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport's strategic approach, to strengthen its medium haul flights and to attract more long haul flights in order to extend, and increase the number of international destinations available from Lyon.
Lyon-Saint Exupéry, the 3rd largest French airport with over 8.4 million passengers in 2011, won over this airline from the Gulf. The airport has a high potential for development in terms of business passengers as well as significant freight activity, advantages that weighed heavily in the airport's favour. The economic strength of the region also contributed to this strategic choice. The Rhône-Alpes region is the no. 1 ranked French region in terms of the economy and exports (not including Ile de France).
The airline's announcement follows on the heels of Aéroports de Lyon's launch of a €260 million strategic investment plan, including the extension project for T1-T3. This project will enable Lyon-Saint Exupéry airport to welcome 15 million passengers in 2020.