Emirates held a big “thank you” reception for travel agents and travel media at The House in Dublin last night, prior to the launch of the airline’s second daily Dublin – Dubai flight next Monday 1st September, with Margaret Shannon handing over the role of Country Manager – Ireland to Enda Corneille.
Enda told those attending: “Margaret has done a spectacular job and it is in no small part due to her efforts that we are going double daily next week.” He also told Irish Travel Trade News: “I am just completing a two-week hand-over with Margaret, which has been tremendously useful. The job is a great opportunity and very exciting – it is a bit different from, but in other ways quite similar to, what I have been doing. I have a lot to learn, but I also have a lot to give.
“Going double daily presents a big challenge, with up to 22,000 seats a month ex-Dublin to fill – but it is also a real testament to the work already done by Margaret and all her team, whom I am very happy to be joining. The second daily flight not only provides better times for visitors to Dubai, but also increases the choices for those travelling onwards – and Emirates currently operates to 143 destinations in 81 countries and territories.”
Asked by ITTN which destination on the Emirates network he was most looking forward to visiting, Enda immediately replied: “Dubai! I was there many years ago and I am really looking forward to going again to experience how it is now. It is also important to be connected with the ‘centre’ and I am looking forward to my induction training and getting to know the different cultures, systems, and the head office team with whom I will be working.”
A Long Holiday
Margaret told those attending: “It is a huge milestone to go double daily in such a short time and an extraordinary two and half years since we started with a daily A330 and went to a B777 within four months. It has also been a tremendous rollercoaster for me!
“We have had full flights throughout, for which we owe a big ‘thank you’ to the travel agents in Ireland. The Emirates product speaks for itself and advance bookings for the second daily service are extremely good. Two flights a day will also be good for inbound tourism from our worldwide destinations – but that is now a task for Enda, rather than me!”
Asked by ITTN what her plans were for the future, Margaret replied: “Immediately, a good long holiday! Robert and I have planned an Amazon cruise in November, followed by the Brazilian and Argentine coastline and a week’s ground arrangements based in Buenos Aires – and we have another trip planned for February.”
