February 1, 2008
Just two months after inaugurating historical new service from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), Emirates Airlines began operating today the first of four additional weekly flights. As of February 1, 2008, the carrier now offers daily nonstop service to Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Fueling this rapid and considerable growth was the international airline’s impressive performance to date.
“Entering any new market usually means building up your passenger base and getting the word out about your new service. The fact that Emirates has been performing so well from the beginning, confirms that Houston is a very dynamic market,” says Richard M. Vacar, director of the Houston Airport System. “We are very excited about Emirates’ new daily service to Houston and are looking forward to their continued success.”
The Middle Eastern carrier reports that over 70 percent of their passengers are members of the city’s international oil and gas industry. In addition, Emirates is handling approximately 16 tons of air cargo out of Houston and bringing in roughly 10 tons, on each flight.
Houston is only the second destination in the United States served by the airline.
“As predicted, the Emirates nonstop service between Dubai and Houston has been popular among business and leisure travelers alike,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, executive vice president of commercial operations worldwide for Emirates.
The new daily service is expected to generate up to $300 million in positive economic impact for the local region.
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The Houston Airport System served a record 52 million passengers in 2007. It is the 4th-largest multi-airport system in the U.S. and the 6th-largest in the world. Bush Intercontinental is the nation's 8th-busiest airport. According to J.D. Powers & Associates, William P. Hobby Airport is first in customer satisfaction among smaller airports in the United States. HAS annually contributes over $24 billion in positive economic impact to the Greater Houston region. For more information watch Houston Airports Today every Saturday at 9:00 am on KTBU Channel 55 or visit www.fly2houston.com. | 
