Emirates launches ‘flying in style, with a shower in the sky’

By Standard Correspondent

Premium passengers on Emirates should brace for a major treat as the Dubai-based airline launches flights with showers – for the first time in Africa.

The A380 craft, reputed to have the widest cabin in the world, will touchdown in Johannesburg in October, and Nairobi could soon be in radar, once Jomo Kenyatta International Airport expansion is concluded.

Emirates regional manager for East Africa Essa Sulaiman Ahmad said the introduction of A380 in the African airspace will add comfort to high premium passengers who earlier only accessed the craft from Dubai.

The shower in the sky is accessible to the 14 First Class passengers, who shall also enjoy private suites equipped with seats that convert fully to flat beds.

Business Class passengers shall enjoy large seats that convert to two-metre beds, while those in Economy Class can stretch out in generous space averaging 33 inches.

Other trappings of comfort in A380 First Class shower spa include hair drier, full length mirror and cosmetics.

The suites are also equipped with 21-inch colour TV and individual lighting to set the right mood. First Class passengers also have access to a fully stocked bar that make socialising in the air possible.

Passengers are allowed up to 25 minutes in the shower, with an on-board janitor scrubbing the facility clean after every use.

Ahmad said A380 is likely to enhance Emirates’ competitive edge in

Africa due to its fuel efficiency and large capacity, although Nairobi may have to wait until its landing space is expanded to accommodate the large craft.

"It’s in a class of its own," Ahmad said of A380 craft. "One you get inside, you are spoilt for choice."

Ahmad said Emirates, which opened in 1985, and extended operations to Nairobi ten years later, has enjoyed tremendous growth in Kenya.

"Kenya is now the third largest market for Emirates, after South Africa and Nigeria," he Ahmad, adding that Kenya is the market leader in cargo business.

Emirates is the only international airline to fly to Eldoret Airport to ferry Europe-bound horticultural produce, while fish and flowers are sourced from Coast and the Rift Valley.

Other meats sourced from Kenya for Europe and Middle East include beef, prawns and lobsters.

"We don’t put all our eggs in one basket," Ahmad said, explaining that whenever there is a shortfall in the supply of one of the commodities, they source elsewhere in the region to ensure continued supply.

The weekly cargo flight, Ahmad said, compliments the busy passenger schedule that presently includes 14 weekly flights between Dubai and Nairobi.

"Our operations in Kenya and Africa at large have shown resilience in the face of crisis," Ahmad says, alluding to the global financial crisis. "We will progress with our fleet and route expansion plans in Kenya and other markets in Africa."

Besides A380’s maiden flight to Johannesburg in October, Ahmad said.

Emirates will start flights to Durban in South Africa, and in Luanda, Angola.

"This has been possible due to the confidence our customers have in us... We consistently maintained air safety records and also invest in training in emergency plans and safety measures," he said.

Emirates recently announced 20 per cent discount on tickets to 32 destinations, for over two and a half months, until September 30. This ruled out any chance of additional fuel surcharge as it triggered similar moves from other regional companies as well.