Emirates concluded its launch activities to Nagoya with a spectacular gala that proved to be a fitting finale for a resounding welcome from the government, airport authorities, media, trade partners and travel agents.
At a news conference yesterday, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group said: “It gives me immense pleasure to announce that Emirates has launched its services to Nagoya – our second gateway in Japan after Osaka, and the 84th destination on our global route network. The relationship between Emirates and the Japanese people has blossomed over these years, on the strength of which we have also added staff and now have offices in three major cities in Japan – Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.”
He added: “We anticipate that we will transport more than 80,000 passengers and 5,000 tonnes of cargo every year on the Nagoya-Dubai route, and we are confident that our new service will catalyse trade and tourism between Japan and Dubai.”
Yukihisa Hirano, President & CEO of Centrair said: “I truly believe that the Chubu region and Dubai will forge very strong exchange initiatives in both tourism and business in the future. Together with the regional local authorities and business sector, we wish to fully support the success of the Nagoya-Dubai route. The Chubu Economic Federation will be sending a delegation to Dubai to contribute to fostering strong relations between Chubu, the UAE and Dubai.”
HH Sheikh Ahmed officially inaugurated the new Emirates office in Nagoya, fitted out in the airline’s exacting standards and home to reservations, ticketing, sales and marketing services.
He also met with the Aichi Governor Masaaki Kanda at his official residence and took greetings from HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai to the people of Nagoya, and discussed bilateral relations.
After HH Sheikh Ahmed and the Governor delivered their speeches at the gala dinner, the evening clearly belonged to the singer Leo Sayers, who belted out a thrilling performance, and the Three Waiters – the acclaimed opera act flown in from Australia. First and Business Class tickets were given away as prizes during the raffle draw at the gala.
On the inaugural flight, HH Sheikh Ahmed led a delegation of Emirates’ senior executives including Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide, Ali Mubarak Al Soori, Divisional Senior Vice President - Chairman's office, Facilities, Projects Mgmt & P&L, Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President Cargo, and Richard Vaughan, Senior Vice President East Asia and Australasia, who met trade partners and customers in Nagoya.
