And six of its loyal original staff still work for the Dubai-based international airline at Zurich`s Unique Airport — reason enough for Adnan Kazim, the airline`s Area Manager Switzerland and Austria, to hand out celebratory certificates.
Since 2nd August 1992, when Emirates` first aircraft took off for Dubai, passenger numbers have risen tenfold and cargo carryings by even more. Thanks to new routes and connections, and top quality service, the Swiss team expects a promising future too.
In its highly successful decade, the original three a week service via Rome, carrying 120 passengers, has ballooned into daily Airbus A330-200 flights able to carry 243 passengers.
With that first flight from Dubai, Zurich became Emirates` 34th destination. 10 years later, by anniversary day, it had inaugurated its 59th – to Perth, Western Australia – and since then its 60th, Mauritius. Its <>B61st, Osaka, starts in October.
From three flights a week via Rome in 1992, Emirates changed its routeing to three a week direct to Zurich in 1994, continuing to Manchester.
Between 1998 and 2000 Emirates flew daily between Zurich and Dubai with a stop in Istanbul. Finally, for the past 18 months, travellers have enjoyed direct daily services to and from Dubai.
Mr Kazim said this week: This steady enhancement of our timetable and the outstanding quality of our service, which is highly appreciated by travel trade and customers, have helped to increase our passenger numbers tenfold.
Mr Kazim hosted a Rhine cruise to thank customers, suppliers and employees for their contribution to Emirates` first successful decade in Switzerland, and Zurich Airport management invited his team to an anniversary dinner at the airport`s new gate 130.
Emirates is one of the world`s fastest-growing airlines and has won more than 200 awards for service since it was established in 1985.
FOTO
Seen here, from left: Mr Jolley; James Wainaina, Reservations & Sales Supervisor; Mr Kazim; Helene Leiser, Airport Services Officer; Andrea Petrasy, Airport Services Supervisor; Anita Kongson, Sales Manager; Joseph Dettling, Airport Services Manager.
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