Emirates will introduce the Airbus A380, the largest passenger airliner in the world, to Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) for the first time. On October 30, at 9.25 pm, flight EK 568 will leave for Bengaluru from Dubai International Airport and arrive at 2.30 am the following day. On October 31, EK 569 will leave Bengaluru at 4.30 am and land in Dubai at 7.10 am. With Mumbai serving as the first airport to host an Airbus A380 since 2014, KIA will be the second airport in India to do so.
The airline in a statement said, “The aircraft upgrade will allow customers travelling to and from the South Indian city to enjoy its signature services across a broader network.”
The introduction of the double-decker aircraft will enhance the company's already-running flights, EK564/565 and EK566/567, which are both flown daily by contemporary wide-body Boeing 777 aircraft. Starting from October 30, Emirates will operate three daily flights to and from Bengaluru, according to the press release.
Currently, airfare from Dubai to Bengaluru ranges from Dh400 to Dh600 (Rs 8,626- Rs 10782), with Emirates costing over Dh900 (Rs 19408) for an economy seat. On November 1, a day after the A380's scheduled debut, Emirates fares are projected to decline to Dh815 (Rs 17575), as per a report in Gulf News.
The daily A380 flights will run as EK568/569 and feature Economy class seats in addition to Premium Economy, Business, and First class. The deployment of the double-decker aircraft will enhance its currently offered routes, EK564/565 and EK566/567, which are both daily Boeing 777 operations. While EK566/567 will offer First, Business, and Economy seating on a Boeing 777-300ER, flights EK564/565 will run a mixture of Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
Emirates started operations to India in 1985 with its scheduled services to Mumbai and Delhi and has been serving customers in Bengaluru since 2006.