This is the first time that the double-decker aircraft will operate a regular service from the airport, with the A380 replacing the Boeing 777 on the daily EK39/40 service. Emirates will now offer three daily flights to Dubai from Birmingham, with the A380 complementing the two already existing 777 services on the route. The introduction of the A380 increases daily capacity between the Midlands and Dubai by 15%, with a total of 1,471 seats now available every day.

The Emirates’ A380 will operate in a two class configuration, featuring 58 flat-bed seats in Business Class and 557 spacious seats in Economy Class, as well as Emirates’ popular Onboard Lounge. The newest configuration of the Emirates A380 also features the widest individual in-seat Economy Class screens in the industry, measuring in at 13.3 inches and offers over 2,200 channels on inflight entertainment system ice.

Passengers flying from the Midlands with Emirates can travel to Dubai and beyond, across an ever expanding global network. New destinations launched by Emirates include Yangon, Hanoi and Bologna. Popular destinations on the Emirates network from Birmingham include Dubai, Bangkok, Mauritius, Hong Kong and Delhi.

Laurie Berryman, Emirates Vice President, UK, said: “It was brilliant to see the A380 touch down at Birmingham Airport yesterday. Emirates has been operating at Birmingham for over 15 years and we’re delighted to be marking this anniversary with what is the airport’s first ever regular A380 service.

“The aircraft has proved hugely popular among our passengers right across the globe and it is very exciting to be bringing this much loved aircraft to Birmingham at a time when the Midlands continues to establish itself as a thriving business hub. Our commitment to Birmingham is as strong as it has ever been and we are looking forward to continuing to grow our presence in the region.”

Paul Kehoe, CEO of Birmingham Airport, said: “This is an historic occasion for Birmingham Airport as we welcome Emirates’ A380 aircraft on the lunchtime departure. Operating daily to Dubai, it will increase capacity by more than 180 seats daily and give passengers the choice of flying in the world’s largest passenger aircraft with an award winning airline. We thank the Emirates team for their continued commitment to Birmingham and the Midlands region.”

Alison Gabrielle, a passenger on the inaugural flight into Birmingham, commented: “As a Bollywood cellist I fly to Asia and the Middle East almost on a monthly basis. I live 20 minutes from Birmingham Airport, so being able to fly on an A380 from so close to home means that I can travel in even more comfort during my work trips, which when you fly as regularly as I do means a great deal.”

Emirates first launched its route to Birmingham Airport on 18 December 2000 as a daily service to Dubai, operated by a 278-seat Airbus A330. As passenger numbers have increased, Emirates has added more aircraft to the route, including a third daily service introduced in 2015. Over the last 15 years, Emirates has carried over five million passengers between Dubai and Birmingham, with over 500,000 travelling in 2015.

Emirates’ wider contribution to the Midlands economy has grown alongside its expansion at Birmingham Airport. The airline employs 30 permanent staff at the airport, with the Emirates SkyCargo team employing a further four people.