Emirates Airline is powering up for a transcontinental road show blitz to support a flurry of route launches across the world, beginning with the Newcastle service on September 1st. From Ahmedabad in India to Sao Paulo in Brazil, Emirates is criss-crossing the globe in the coming months with a series of events to publicise the latest additions to the airline`s increasingly global footprint.

The promotions, which come hot on the heels of the successful Venice route launch, start in Sao Paulo, the most important financial centre in Latin America. Road shows will be held there on 14&15th August to support the beginning of the Emirates’ service on October 1st. Further road show activities are planned in the effervescent city of Rio on 21&22nd August.

In Europe, Emirates will address the travel trade in Newcastle in the UK on August 23rd, to promote its sixth gateway into the UK, with services starting September 1st.

After Tyneside, it`s back across the Atlantic to the United States to promote the December 3rd Houston launch. Events are taking place in Houston itself on August 29th, with further activities in Miami on September 6th and in Dallas on September 28th.

On 10th September, another continent comes into the frame with India. Emirates is organising a road show in Ahmedabad, India`s sixth largest city and a place sometimes dubbed the Manchester of the East because of its booming textile industry. Emirates will fly there from October 28th.

In Canada, road shows to support the new Toronto service, which begins October 29th, will take place in Toronto on September 19th and later in Calgary on September 24th.

Emirates` road shows are aimed at raising awareness, primarily within the travel and tourism industry, ahead of the start of a new service. They involve trade presentations, dinner functions and press briefings.

Mike Simon, Divisional Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications, said: This is a busy year for Emirates as far as route launches and the resulting promotional activities go. But, as ever, we are ready for the challenge. It is an exciting time for the airline as it continues to spread its wings across new boundaries and further establish its international reputation. We are particularly keen to launch services into South America and we now offer the only direct air link between Venice and the Middle East. Meanwhile, it`s a case of watch this space, as more announcements are on the way.

During the second half of 2007, Emirates will launch a total of six new routes - Venice (which started July 1st), Newcastle (September 1st) Sao Paulo (1st October), Ahmedabad (28th October), Toronto (29th October) and Houston (3rd December).