DUBAI - Emirates, announced the launch of an Airbus A380 service to Gatwick today marking a 15 percent capacity increase for the UK’s South East airport.

Emirates was the first carrier to operate an all Airbus A380 service from Heathrow and the first to launch a service from Gatwick, the airport while Emirates flew its inaugural UK flight 26 years ago according to the Dubai based airline.

Hubert Frach, Emirates divisional senior vice president commercial operations West said: “Six years after launch the Emirates A380 is still a customer magnet. Airports the world over are eager to have the Emirates A380 on their roster and today’s launch to London Gatwick is representative of that demand.” 

“It is fitting that Gatwick’s renewed spirit of ambition, as symbolized in their modernization program of recent years, will now be joined by Emirates’ own symbol of ambition and connectivity, the world’s largest passenger jet.

"Now, more people in the South East of England will be able to connect to more destinations and that is great news for holidaymakers and business travelers alike.” 

Guy Stephenson, chief commercial officer of London Gatwick, said: “The A380 is one of the modern marvels of aviation engineering and as such we have dedicated part of Gatwick’s £1 billion investment in transforming its infrastructure, creating a stand designed specifically with the world’s largest aircraft in mind.

"We are pleased to welcome a scheduled A380 service with Emirates, an airline that Gatwick has a long history with.” 

Emirates had to invested £6.4m in new facilities, including the widening of three runway rapid exit taxiways and modifications to taxiways between the runway and the stand to operate the Airbus A380 aircraft into Gatwick. 

The daily A380 service will replace the existing afternoon Boeing 777-300ER flight EK 009, providing customers with an additional 9700 seats per month in both directions.  Emirates has a fleet of of 47 Airbus A380 aircraft and employs 700 people in the UK alone.