World-class airline, Emirates, operated its first A380 commercial flight in Clark, Pampanga on Wednesday, August 19, via the Clark International Airport.
A ceremonial water cannon salute was held for the special flight, carrying 405 passengers from Dubai. The passengers which also include overseas Filipino workers were welcomed by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Emirates-Philippines Country Manager Mr. Satish Sethi, Shaikh Saoud Ali Mohammed Ali Almualla, Charge d’ Affaires, a.i., of the United Arab Emirates Embassy, Ambassador of France to the Philippines Amb. Nicolas Galey, Bases Conversion and Development Authority Senior Vice President for Conversion Development Group Engr. Joshua Bingcang, Clark Development Corporation President and CEO Noel Manankil, Clark International Airport Corporation President and CEO Gen. Aaron Aquino, and Luzon International Premier Airport Development Corp. CEO Bi Yong Chungunco.
Today’s A380 maiden flight in Clark forms part of Emirates’ celebration of their 30th anniversary of serving the Philippines.
The highly-popular Emirates A380 aircraft enabled the passengers to have a world-class travel experience, with the aircraft’s unique features and safety protocols put in place to protect both the airline’s customers and crew.
Emirates has seen a huge demand for its six weekly flights from Dubai to Clark as well as in its daily flights to Manila since it resumed operations earlier this month. It will also resume operations in Cebu this week.
The prestigious state-owned airline has been serving the Philippines since 1990 and inaugurated its first service to Clark in 2016. In 2014, the Emirates A380 made a one-off trip to Manila, marking its first arrival in the country.
Other officials present during the event were Department of Tourism Regional Director Carolina Uy, Overseas Workers Welfare Administration Regional Director Patricia Cobarrubias, and Department of Foreign Affairs Director Geronimo Suliguin, Jr.