Emirates, has announced that as of 1 February its EK019/020 service between Dubai International Airport and Manchester Airport, currently operated by a Boeing 777, will be replaced with an Airbus A380.

The introduction of the second daily A380 means that half of Emirates’ 16 daily flights to the UK will be operated by an A380.

The second daily A380 will increase Emirates’ capacity from Manchester by 13 per cent, with over 20 per cent of this increase in the premium cabins.

The upgraded service will feature 14 seats in First Class, 76 in Business Class and 427 in Economy Class. Passengers throughout all classes can enjoy access to over 2000 channels of films, TV shows, music and games through ice, the airline’s award-winning inflight entertainment system as well as wifi connectivity and gourmet cuisine.

Emirates flight EK019 will depart Dubai International Airport at 1435hrs and arrive in Manchester at 1835hrs. The outbound flight, EK020, will depart Manchester Airport at 2025hrs and arrive in Dubai at 0740hrs.

Laurie Berryman, Emirates Vice President, UK, commented: “Manchester is the third busiest airport in the UK and demand for flights to Dubai, and beyond, has increased significantly during our 25 years of operating out of the airport."

Ken O’Toole, Chief Commercial Officer at Manchester Airports Group (MAG), said: “We welcome Emirates’ addition of a second daily A380 service at Manchester Airport from 1st February.

“Manchester is the only UK airport outside of London that the A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft, flies to. Customers will now have the choice of two daily A380 and one Boeing 777 flights, to travel direct from Manchester to Dubai."

Emirates first introduced an A380 service at Manchester Airport on 1 September 2010.