Dubai-based Emirates will be depending on clever technology and good planning to shorten the travel time on its first non-stop service between Auckland and Dubai, which is a 14,000 km long journey.

The airline starts its first non-stop service from Dubai to Auckland on March 1, bringing many of Emirates’ 39 European destinations, as well as 38 cities in Africa and the Gulf within just a one-stop connection in Dubai.

Emirates will be using flexible routes, which can vary by day, taking advantage of tail winds and avoiding head winds to reduce the time in the air.

This proven technology, combined with the elimination of an en-route stop in Australia, could shorten the time to Auckland by up to three hours.

The new non-stop service will be operated by a Boeing 777-200LR and should typically take just under 16 hours from Dubai to New Zealand and 17 hours, 15 minutes in the other direction.

“Emirates continues to invest in innovative technologies, and we utilise best practices in optimising our flight planning systems, finding the best routes that take into consideration weather and current conditions to ensure we save time, fuel and emissions, while never compromising on the safety and comfort of our passengers and crew,” said Geoff Hounsell, Emirates’ vice president flight operations support services and air traffic management.

New flexible route options have been a focus for the airline and Airservices Australia and Airways New Zealand have been key partners.

The majority of the Boeing 777-200LR flight will be in Australian-managed airspace, where Emirates has worked with Airservices Australia for the past decade to optimise routes, utilising the technology which will be applied on the direct Auckland route.

“The organised track system – AUSOTS - is well-proven and extending that programme so that it is specific to the Auckland–Dubai route will have significant benefits, without impacting the operations of other aircraft going to Australia,” said Geoff Hounsell.

Airservices Australia safely controls 11 per cent of the world’s airspace. – TradeArabia News Service