Emirates (EK, Dubai International) has secured 5th Freedom traffic rights from the Greek government ahead of the launch of Athens-New York Newark, United States, flights later this quarter.
The Emirati carrier said in a press release the daily Dubai International-Newark via Athens service would commence on March 12 using B777-300(ER) equipment.
“The Greek Government and Athens International Airport approached Emirates some time ago to consider serving the route between Athens and New York," Timothy Clark, President of Emirates Airline, said. "After careful review, Emirates concluded that extending one of our Dubai-Athens flights to Newark would be commercially and operationally feasible.”
The service is the second 5th Freedom right long-haul service the UAE-based carrier has in Europe, the first being Dubai-Milan Malpensa-New York JFK. Emirates also operates between Athens and Larnaca but will cease doing so by month-end. This will leave a daily Larnaca-Malta International service as its only short-haul 5th Freedom service within the European Union.
