TRANSPORTATION REPORTER
The Airbus A380 double-decker jumbo jet will be making its commercial debut in Canada at Pearson International Airport on June 1, when Emirates Airline adds the world's largest plane to its Toronto-Dubai route.
Emirates, owned by the Dubai government, launched the service three times a week in October, 2007. The carrier said yesterday it has been seeing strong demand on the 360-seat Boeing 777 deployed on the route, so it makes sense to switch to the 489-seat Airbus to accommodate more passengers.
Dubai-based Emirates has been lobbying Ottawa for permission to increase its Toronto-Dubai service to daily flights.
The airline already has four A380s, and its fifth will be assigned for Canada. Another 53 of the superjumbo jets are slated to be delivered to Emirates over the next decade, said Andrew Parker, Emirates senior vice-president of public and international affairs.
On the upper level of the Emirates-operated A380, there will be 14 suites in first class and 76 lie-flat seats in business class. There will also be 399 economy-class seats on the lower deck. Fares are subject to change, but for now, the carrier expects to charge round-trip prices starting at $1,130 for economy, $6,550 for business and $10,000 for first class, which includes a lounge and two shower spas.
Mr. Parker said in an interview that he hopes the federal government's Blue Sky policy on creating more options for foreign flights will pave the way for daily service from Toronto. Eventually, Emirates wants to expand beyond Toronto, perhaps with Boeing 777s in Calgary and Vancouver, he said.
A spokesman for Transport Minister John Baird said Ottawa has been focused on completing the final stages of an air liberalization pact announced with the European Union in December. Mr. Baird anticipates he will speak with Emirates, but "beyond that, there is nothing specific planned," the spokesman said.
In November, 2007, Air France-KLM and Airbus SAS operated an A380 on a test flight, landing in Paris after a six-hour trip from Montreal.
Air Canada doesn't have any immediate plans to order A380s, but Air France has said it will consider introducing the plane on Montreal-Paris flights.
Three Canadian airports - Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal - have made the modifications required to handle the double-decker configuration and wide wingspan, Mr. Parker noted.
He played down reports that Emirates has complained to Airbus about the A380's performance, saying there were minor issues discussed and such talks occur whenever a new aircraft is put into service.
Emirates president Tim Clark said despite the recession, he's pleased that Emirates will be the first carrier to offer Canadians the chance to purchase A380 tickets from Toronto.
