Enda Kenny, the Irish Prime Minister (Gaelic: An Taoiseach), joined Emirates president, Tim Clark, in Dubai on Thursday (Jan 9) to mark the second anniversary of the airline’s service to Dublin. According to Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM), visitor numbers from Ireland to Dubai increased by 14% in 2013 compared with 2012.
Since Emirates’ inaugural flight from Dublin on 9th January 2012, the airline has connected over 442,000 passengers on its daily Dublin to Dubai route, carrying over 22,000 tonnes of cargo and supporting Irish exports including seafood, chocolates, beef and botox.
The official visit took place as part of the Irish Government Trade Mission to Gulf States where An Taoiseach was accompanied by a trade delegation of Irish businesses as well as the Irish Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Patrick Hennessy and Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovations, Richard Bruton TD. The trade delegation consisted of specialised aviation suppliers who attended a workshop hosted by Emirates to discuss future business opportunities.
Emirates employs 442 Irish nationals and established a dedicated reservations office in Dublin in 2012.