Emirates marks its inaugural flight to Brussels

As the airline’s 145th worldwide route, Emirates will play a key role in further developing natural business links between Belgium and key markets in the Far East. Emirates also estimates that it will deliver a boost to the country’s tourism sector, with Belgium a popular jumping off point for Europe bound travellers from Australasia. 

“We’ve had lots of customers asking us to fly to Brussels over the years so this really is fantastic news for them. Belgium’s tourism is thriving and we believe that we can drive demand even higher by providing great competition with our multi-award winning product and service,” said Thierry Aucoc, Emirates’ senior vice president commercial operations Europe and Russian Federation. 

“Emirates is the only airline offering First Class seats from Brussels to destinations in the Far and Middle East, providing an unrivalled premium experience for our passengers. As headquarters for a huge number of major global corporations we are already seeing strong bookings from markets like China, the UAE, Japan and India, one of Belgium’s largest trade partners.”

Emirates has been working with a number of Belgian based suppliers for many years, most significantly the luxury chocolatier Godiva. In the last 12 months nearly four million boxes of twin Godiva chocolates, manufactured in Brussels, have been handed out globally to the airline’s First Class and Business Class passengers. 

The UAE is a key trading partner of Belgium with more than €4 billion of goods exchanged between the two countries each year. Both import and export of goods have grown steadily since 2009 with 1504 Belgian companies exporting goods to the UAE in the last year. 

Over 30 Belgian companies successfully operate within the UAE. In fact, two of the Dubai’s most iconic landmarks were, in part, constructed by Belgian companies. Belgian construction firm Besix played an integral role in the construction of the Burj Khalifa and the Jan De Nul Group were responsible for the reclamation of 186,500,000 m³ of sand, for the creation of the world-renowned Palm Jumeirah Islands. 

Tourism to Brussels from the UAE has grown significantly in the last five years with the number of visitors more than tripling since 2009. The new direct link from Dubai to Brussels is expected to grow this sector even further, as well as increasing inbound traffic from key markets in the Far East and Australasia.

“The arrival of Emirates in Brussels confirms the role that Brussels Airport plays in connecting Belgium and Europe with the rest of the world.  We are pleased that Emirates has decided to link Dubai with the European Capital and that their Belgian and foreign passengers will enjoy the high quality of service offered by both Emirates and Brussels Airport. The launch of this daily service to Dubai will create 150 new on-site jobs,” explained Arnaud Feist, CEO Brussels Airport Company.  

Belgium’s cargo exports account for 86 percent of the country’s GDP and Emirates SkyCargo will help boost this by adding up to 17 tonnes of cargo per day. Key export commodities include pharmaceuticals, automotive spare parts, chocolates, machinery and equipment and electronics. 

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Emirates expansion into Europe continues with daily flights into Brussels - a key political and economic gateway to the European union which also complements Emirates' other EU destinations. 

“Putting Belgian chocolates aside, the booming trade and commerce links between the UAE and Belgium have long since been a rallying call from customers to get Emirates to fly to the country - and with daily flights using the heavy-lift capable 777-200LR, Emirates not only have room 266 passengers, but more significantly is the heavy cargo payload capability that the jet brings while keeping costs low given the commonality with the rest of Emirates huge 777 fleet.” 

Ahmad added: “With Budapest next on Emirates European radar, it is evident that the region has a lot more revenue-generating possibilities for the biggest Arab carrier going forward and we can certainly expect to see more network development as the Emirates fleet expands.”