Dubai-based Emirates has announced a third daily service to Birmingham Airport, becoming the first airline to offer a direct First Class service to the UK region.

Commencing August 1, 2015, the flight will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER. The additional service adds seven more inbound flights a week to Birmingham, increasing passenger and cargo capacity on the route by 42 per cent.

“Stepping up our presence in Birmingham will give customers across our network and across the Midlands, greater flexibility in their travel plans. This is another significant investment in the UK market and we look forward to offering further choice and excellent value for money to travellers and businesses, including the cargo community,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates divisional senior vice president, Commercial Operations West.

“As part of our continued commitment, we’re excited to become the only airline offering First Class to the region, with the introduction of our First Class Private Suites,” he said.

Emirates started flying to Birmingham in December 2000 when it launched the route with a daily non-stop service, operated by a 278-seat Airbus A330. In the 14 years since, Emirates has carried over 4.9 million passengers to and from Birmingham.

Paul Kehoe, Birmingham Airport CEO, said: “Emirates decision to add a third daily service to Dubai and beyond from Birmingham Airport clearly shows the strong demand that exists in the city and the region for passengers who want connectivity to Dubai, Asia and Australia.

The new daily service will be operated in a three class configuration. The added capacity provides eight Private Suites in First Class, 42 Business Class seats and 310 Economy Class seats per day, as well as 23 tonnes of additional cargo capacity per flight.

All three cabins are equipped with Emirates ice entertainment system with more than 2,000 channels of on-demand entertainment to choose from, including movies, television programmes, games, audio books and music from across the world.

As with all Emirates flights, passengers on the new Dubai to Birmingham services will enjoy the extra Emirates baggage allowance of 30 kg in Economy Class, 40 kg in Business Class and 50 kg in First Class. – TradeArabia News Service