Emirates celebrates its two millionth passenger on Newcastle to Dubai route

Emirates has celebrated its two millionth passenger at Newcastle International Airport. Achieving this milestone just over a decade after its inaugural flight to the city in 2007, the international airline is the only long-haul carrier to operate a daily service from Newcastle.
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To mark the milestone, Emirates surprised the lucky two-millionth passengers, Raymond and Margaret Henderson, with complimentary return tickets to Dubai.

From Newcastle, passengers connecting through Dubai have travelled around the world with Emirates. The most popular onward destinations from Dubai for Newcastle Business Class passengers include Bangkok, Sydney, Perth and Melbourne while Economy Class passengers enjoy destinations such as Hong Kong, Dhaka, Singapore and Phuket.

Newcastle’s strategic position in the heart of the Northern Powerhouse facilitates exports from UK businesses to the Middle East and beyond. Emirates SkyCargo has transported 32 million kilos of cargo since its first flight from the airport over a decade ago. The most popular exports from Newcastle include auto parts, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, oil well equipment and falcons. While some of the popular imports flown into Newcastle with Emirates SkyCargo are auto parts, garments and pipeline equipment.

Laurie Berryman, Vice President UK & Ireland, Emirates said: “We’re honoured to celebrate our two millionth passenger in Newcastle. It seems like just yesterday we were welcoming our first passengers arriving from Dubai to Newcastle on a glorious sunny day and hosting football legends Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer at a gala dinner headlined by Chris Rea. We hope Raymond and Margaret enjoy a trip of a lifetime to Dubai.

“Our greatest pride as an airline is our ability to connect people, places and economies and this remains our guiding principle. I look forward to seeing what the next decade brings for Newcastle and the wider North East of England as its position as a tourism and trade hotspot continues to grow. Here’s to the next two million passengers!”

Nick Jones, Chief Executive at Newcastle airport added: “Having Emirates fly from Newcastle has brought the people living in the North East closer to the rest of the world. The Middle East, Dubai, Asia and Australasia are key travel destinations and export routes for the residents and businesses of Newcastle and the North-East of England. Having the daily service to Dubai has contributed to the success of the airport and of the wider region and I’m delighted to welcome the two millionth passenger. As global trade becomes all the more important in the next few years, we anticipate its influence will only continue to grow.”

Councillor Iain Malcolm, Leader of South Tyneside Council and lead of the LA7 shareholders said: “Emirates’ 2 millionth passenger marks yet another success for Newcastle International Airport which keeps going from strength to strength.  The airport is hugely important to the North East, both as a gateway for the region and as a generator of jobs and millions of pounds for the local economy.”