As exclusively revealed by Irish Travel Trade News on its website on Monday 21st November, Margaret Shannon has been appointed Country Manager – Ireland by Emirates. Margaret is one of Ireland’s most highly experienced aviation executives, having worked with Ryanair, KLM, Air France KLM and, most recently, Aer Lingus.
Margaret told Irish Travel Trade News: “I have been getting lovely messages from people in Aer Lingus and from many others in the Irish travel industry. Emirates’ new nine-strong executive team in Ireland are going for five days training in Dubai and then on 9th December we officially begin operating from Regus House, Harcourt Centre, Harcourt Road, Dublin 2.
“Our forward bookings are strong in all three classes – so a big ‘thank you’ to the Irish travel trade.
“We will also have our launch event in the Convention Centre, Dublin on 13th December, with cocktails, a sit-down dinner and some really exciting entertainment. I can’t say what this will be, because it will be a surprise, but I can tell you that the entertainment will be by a HUGE name!”
ITTN understands that there was intense competition for the post of Country Manager – indeed, Emirates was inundated with applications for all the positions advertised. This reflects not only the current state of the travel industry in Ireland but also the high profile and prestigious reputation enjoyed by Emirates.
Emirates will commence a daily service between Dublin and Dubai on 9th January 2012 using an Airbus A330-200 offering First, Business and Economy class. The flight will leave Dubai at 07.00 and arrive in Dublin at 11.30. The return flight will leave Dublin at 12.55 and arrive in Dubai at 00.25 the next day.
Earlybird return fares inclusive of tax from Dublin to a range of worldwide destinations include Dubai from €505; Durban €689; Mumbai €445, Kochi €499, and Perth €905. Travel agents can double their commission to 10% for bookings made in November and December 2011 if they register at [email protected] by this Wednesday, 30th November 2011.
