The 2025 Emirates & Dubai Tourism Summer Trade event was held in the iconic Aviva Stadium with Emirates and over a dozen suppliers from Dubai.
Anita Thomas (Country Manager, Ireland – Emirates) shared that the evening was a thank you for everything the travel trade does for Emirates, for Dubai as a destination and beyond Dubai as well.
Ireland is a key market for Dubai Tourism
Ireland is a key market for Dubai Tourism. Dubai welcomed 8.68 million international visitors from January to May, +7% compared with prior year. The target is to deliver year-on-year growth. This growth will be aided by the announcement of Emirates to operate a thrice-daily service from Dublin to Dubai from 26 October 2025 giving morning, afternoon and evening departure options for customers.
Emirates Flights EK165 & EK166
Emirates flight EK165 will depart Dubai at 02:10 am & arrive in Dublin at 06:25 am, local time. The return flight, EK166, will depart Dublin at 08:25 am & arrive in Dubai at 20:00 local time. This provides greater choice for travellers as well as increased cargo capacity to and from Dublin.
The third daily flight will operate utilising a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft set in a 3-class configuration, offering customers 8 private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in Business Class and 304 seats in Economy Class. The added service will also provide travellers with enhanced connectivity to popular destinations across Emirates’ network, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and Bangkok.
The Irish Market Punches Way Above Its Weight
Anita shared that today marks a significant development in terms of Emirates operations out of Dublin Airport. Beyond the extra daily flight, Anita detailed, such is the success of Premium Economy on one of the two existing routes from Dublin to Dubai, the airline has pushed forward the date for the new Premium Economy seats onboard its second refurbished Boeing 777 from December to 16 October 2025 on the second route.
This airline had introduced the first of its newly retrofitted Boeing 777s on the Dubai to Dublin route last month, offering Irish passengers an upgraded experience with its four-class configuration, featuring its award-winning Premium Economy cabin and latest Business Class experience.
Anita shared, “The Irish market punches way above its weight. In terms of sales, we were one of the largest sellers of Premium Economy when we didn’t even have it on the Dublin route. That’s how good you all are, so well done… Again, you have surpassed yourself with Premium Economy. We’re now putting on an extra aircraft, extra connections – Australia, Far East, India, Africa – it allows you so much more to sell but again tonight is not a sales pitch, it is a thank you.”
Connecting Dublin to the World
Customers travelling with Emirates can look forward to the warm hospitality of the airline’s multinational crew, regionally inspired meals, and award-winning inflight entertainment system – ice – offering up to 6,500 channels of the best movies, TV shows, podcasts and more. Premium Class passengers will also experience an essence of Ireland onboard with VOYA bathroom amenities, Keogh’s Crisps and Killowen yoghurt.
Dubai Tourism
Dubai Tourism shared that Dubai is the first destination that is autism certified in the Eastern Hemisphere, which includes 300 hotels and 15 attractions that are autism certified. Before arriving in Dubai, the journey starts with Emirates, which is also globally autism certified as an airline. Visit Dubai explained that they were very proud of this milestone and that it is something that keeps Dubai inclusive for everyone.
They highlighted that Dubai is very safe as a destination, ranking 4th in the world and highlighting that this is especially true for women, for female travellers and solo travellers.
A dance competition, judged by Dubai Tourism, had a generous prize of 2 Premium Economy Tickets to Dubai plus accommodation plus lots of smaller amazing prizes up for grabs.
