DUBAI, U.A.E. – The launch of Terminal 3 at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport just got bigger! Emirates is all set to become the first international carrier in Indian Civil Aviation history to bring to India the world’s largest passenger aircraft, the Airbus A380.

To celebrate the launch of the new terminal at the IGI Airport, Emirates has commissioned a special commercial service of the 517-seat A380 offering passengers flying from Delhi to Dubai a one-off opportunity to experience the aircraft’s grandeur, not to mention its luxurious onboard amenities.

The A380 will operate EK516 on the Dubai-Delhi route on 15th July, 2010 departing Dubai at 10:10 hours and arrive in Delhi at 14:50 hours. The aircraft will be at the IGI Airport for three hours before it returns to Dubai as EK517 departing Delhi at 17:50 hours. Bookings for this special flight will open on 6th June, 2010 with a special one-way fare from Dubai for AED380 plus taxes or return for AED990 plus taxes. The fare is valid only for bookings made on the special flight of the Emirates A380.

Mr. Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President – West Asia and Indian Ocean, said, “Emirates has been flying to Delhi since our first day of operations in 1985. Twenty five years on, 10 destinations and 184 weekly flights certainly represent the efforts and investment that have gone into building a strong relationship with India.

“The fact that we are bringing the A380 here is a reiteration of the potential that we see in the Indian market and our intent to partner with the nation in its growth. Over the years, Emirates has evolved to become a company that is global in its operations but firmly connected with the Indian mindset and the consumer.”

Emirates recently placed an order with Airbus for an additional 32 A380s, taking the total firm order for the iconic airliner of the 21st century to 90 and signaling the carrier’s confidence in the long-term growth of air travel. The order, valued at $11.5bn at list prices, reaffirms Emirates’ status as one of the world’s leading carriers and of Dubai as a central gateway to worldwide air travel.

The massive bird, which will fly into the Indian skies for the very first time, is expected to attract huge crowds. The event will be a momentous occasion not just for Emirates and the IGI Airport, but for Indian aviation.

Emirates’ A380 is renowned for its First Class Private Suites and Shower Spas. The much-acclaimed super-jumbo offers an Onboard Lounge for First Class and Business Class passengers, with a wide range of drinks and canapés, as well as the space to socialize or simply relax.

Passengers in all classes can lose themselves in the quietness of the aircraft and the much-enjoyed, award winning ice in-flight entertainment system. There are more than 1,000 channels of on-demand entertainment, including 200 movies from around the world, 100 TV channels, more than 500 audio channels, 100 video games and news, sports and business headlines.

Emirates, the largest operator of the A380, currently flies 11 of the aircraft serving popular destinations for travelers including London Heathrow, Toronto, Bangkok, Paris, Jeddah, Seoul, Sydney and Auckland.