OREANDA-NEWS. November 10, 2011. At an official opening ceremony at Pulkovo airport, Emirates international airline introduced its new route of Dubai – St. Petersburg – Dubai.

The presentation of the pioneer flight by one of the largest carriers in the world was attended by representatives of the city administration and Russian aviation and tourism industries, led by the Chairman of the Committee on Transport and Transit policy of St. Petersburg Aleksey Bakirey and CEO of the Northern Capital Gateway Sergey Emdin.

The ceremony began with honoring of the first passenger to check in with the airline. The lucky traveler received presents both from the airport and the airline.

The first EK137 flight by Emirates that landed at 17:15 was welcomed by the traditional "water arch". After landing, the top-ranking delegation consisting of managers of airlines, representatives of the business community of Dubai and foreign mass media took part in a reception to honor of the first flight.

"We did a great job in preparing for the reception and servicing of flights by Emirates. The airline provides services up to the highest international standards. The new flights by one of the largest airlines in the world to the northern capital will enhance the route network of Pulkovo airport, allowing our passengers to enjoy traveling with Emirates all over the world", – said Sergey Emdin, CEO of the Northern Capital Gateway.

Tickets for the first flight from St. Petersburg to Dubai were purchased in the UAE, Austria, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Hong Kong, Latvia and the Philippines.

"The Russian Union of Travel Industry took an active part in multilateral talks on flights by Emirates and we are convinced that the introduction of flights to St. Petersburg will significantly contribute to the development of the tourism market of our city", – noted Sergey Korneev, Vice President of the Russian Union of Travel Industry and Director of its Northwest Regional Branch.

Flights from Dubai to St Petersburg will be serviced by comfortable wide-body Airbus A340-300 and A330-200 airliners, offering passengers award-winning services rendered by highly qualified multinational crews of stewards in all three classes of service (first, business and economy classes). Convenient connections in over 100 destinations of the airline’s global route network will allow passengers to travel comfortably to the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, Australia and Oceania.

Emirates EK138 flight will depart daily from St. Petersburg at 18:45, landing in Dubai at 00:40 on the next day, offering passengers convenient connections in over 100 destinations of the airline’s global route network. The return flight of EK137 will depart from Dubai at 10:40, landing in the northern capital at 17:15.