The mighty A380 is set to return to Glasgow this summer after the pandemic wreaked logistical havoc with airline Emirates‘ flight schedule.
The world’s largest commercial plane had been serving Glasgow Airport since Spring 2019 on what has become Scotland’s busiest long-haul route, Glasgow-Dubai. The increased capacity was welcomed as it promised lower prices and an improved in-flight experience.
Millions spent on airport infrastructure
Glasgow invested millions of pounds on airport infrastructure to increase capability for long-haul carriers, including building the country’s first, and so far only, triple airbridge. The route operates twice-daily flights every day of the year and continues to prove extremely popular with Scottish travellers.
At the time, Mark Johnston, then Managing Director at Glasgow Airport, said the move “underlined the airline’s continued commitment to Glasgow Airport”.
For some time, Emirates has been operating their Boeing 777s on the route and as a result, aviation enthusiasts had long been wondering when, if ever, the route’s previous aircraft class would return.
Glasgow Airport finally confirmed the much-awaited news on Twitter yesterday: “The Emirates A380 will be returning to Glasgow for the summer season”, adding that further information would be provided nearer the time.
Glasgow’s long relationship with Emirates dates back almost two decades, to 2004, when the airline introduced the first-ever direct route between Scotland and the Middle East. In 2014, thousands of people flocked to the airport on the 10th anniversary of the route to see the enormous aircraft make a one-off commemorative appearance. It would return five years later as a regular sight.
Travel restrictions for those entering Scotland eased earlier this week, in line with the rest of the UK, but whether or not future restrictions may hamper the return of the A380 is still yet to be known.
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