“Emirates has looked forward to the day when we would connect Seattle to our home hub in Dubai, on flights operated by state-of-the-art, Seattle-built aircraft,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Group, who travelled on the inaugural flight, along with Her Excellency Sheikha Lubna Al Qassimi (UAE Minister of Foreign Trade), Tim Clark (Emirates Airline president), and His Excellency Major General Mohamed Abdulrahim Al Ali (UAE Ministry of Defence deputy minister), amongst others.
“This new service is the latest step in Emirates’ strategic programme of expansion across the United States, and we are confident that it will support the burgeoning trade relationship between the United Arab Emirates and the Seattle metropolitan region," continued His Highness. “Emirates highly values its partnerships with American business and industry, and we look forward to strengthening these links as we invest in growing our presence across the country.”
The U.A.E. was the 19th largest export destination worldwide for American goods in 2011, with total exports valued at a record high of almost US$16 billion. Topping the list was transport equipment, which included almost $3.5 billion in aircraft deliveries, $163 million in aircraft parts and $26 million in aircraft engines. Other leading exports included computer and electronic products, non-electrical machinery, chemicals and fabricated metal products.
“Emirates’ non-stop flights will support Seattle’s thriving export trade through a 15-tonne freight capacity that will serve one of the largest cargo hubs in the world at Dubai International Airport,” said Ram Menen, divisional senior vice president of Emirates SkyCargo. “Emirates will carry goods including software, technology and telecommunications equipment to markets across the Middle and Far East”.