Emirates adds A380 Zurich connections this autumn

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND – The lower house of parliament has voted in favour of a proposed agreement with Germany that regulates air traffic around Zurich airport, although there has been little enthusiasm for the measure, which passed with a 110 to 66 vote. Several members of parliament said after the vote that the agreement is the least worst solution and if it is not passed there is a risk that Germany will take unilateral measures.

The two countries have been trying to find a solution since 2003, when Germany banned night flights, forcing Zurich planes to take off over heavily populated Swiss areas to the south of the city.

The airport is 20km south of the border, as the crow (and airplane) flies and there have been tensions over flight hours and noise.

Emirates said earlier this week it will add a Boeing A380 service between Zurich and Dubai, starting 1 January 2014. The company currently runs a Boeing 777-300ER on the route and the larger plane will increase capacity by more than 1,100 seats in each direction, per week, with 870 seats available per day.

The January schedule calls for the flight to leave Dubai at 08:25, arriving in Zurich at 12:20. The return flight leaves Zurich at 14:35 and arrives in Dubai at 23:40, according to a statement issued by the airline.

Emirates has 34 A380s in its fleet and 56 on order, making it the world’s largest operator of the two-storey planes that have 427 seats in economy, 76 seats/beds in business and 14 private suites in first class. The upper deck has a bar-lounge for first and business class passengers and first class passengers have access to two shower/spas.

Switzerland has 126 companies in the UAE and trade between the two countries is $9 billion a year, according to UAE government figures.