Emirates’ Seattle service to open up new trade

The economic benefits to Seattle — and the US — is huge and comes during continuing economic hard times for business and leisure travel, though clear signs of a rebound can be seen. According to a report commissioned by Seattle’s Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, tourism spending in the city, named after the local Indian chief Sealth, bounced back last year, with almost 10 million travellers spending $5.9 billion, up 6.6 per cent. “Adjusted for inflation, spending rose about two per cent from 2010, a figure that reflects the reality of the times” the bureau President and CEO Tom Norwalk, told the Seattle Times, adding that he was confident that the visitor numbers and spending would now continue to rise. Indications are that China will be one of the biggest contributors of new travelers. Of the 800 million new fliers expected in 2014, 214 will be associated with China and of this 33 million will be international travellers with quite a few heading to Seattle. Last year, the city saw 38,000 Chinese dropping by for leisure or business, a rise of 56 per cent compared to 2010. “I think we are going to see the number of visitors coming from China growing 40 to 50 per cent over the next four or five years,” Norwalk told the paper. The new direct Seattle-Dubai and the Dallas Fort Worth-Dubai links will only add to these numbers and could see the generation of thousands of jobs and a significant boost in trade and commerce. “It isn’t just travellers who will benefit from this partnership. Emirates also opens new markets for air cargo. Dubai is one of the largest global hubs for cargo and their service to Seattle means that Washington products like cherries and apples will have new customers across the globe,” said Seattle’s Port Commissioner John Creighton. With two dynamic and fast-growing regions now more closely linked, Emirates’ Seattle service will generate a host of economic benefits; from boosting imports and exports to creating new markets for business and tourism. Emirates’ recent order for an additional 50 Boeing 777-300ERs fitted with American-made GE90 engines, plus options for 20 more aircraft worth a total of $26 billion at list prices, will support over 100,000 skilled American jobs in more than a dozen US states. “This new service is the latest step in Emirates’ strategic programme of expansion across the US, and we are confident that it will support the burgeoning trade relationship between the UAE and the Seattle metropolitan region,” said Shaikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates airline and Group. “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,” he added. Emirates is already the world’s largest customer of the Boeing 777 and operates the aircraft to each of its six US gateways: New York JFK, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth and now Seattle. A number of other Washington State suppliers contribute to the airline’s unprecedented aircraft order book. The Smart Landing and Smart Runway technology fitted in Emirates’ fleet is designed in Honeywell Aerospace’s Redmond, W.A. facility; while Zodiac Aerospace manufactures Emirates’ aircraft stowage compartments at their Washington plant. “This new service will serve as a gateway to an important part of the world that is essential to creating jobs, new business and tourism opportunities in our state,” said Gael Tarleton, Port of Seattle Commission President. “This direct service connects the Puget Sound region to an entire new continent of economic possibilities.” The UAE was the 19th largest export destination worldwide for American goods in 2011, with total exports valued at a record high of almost $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”. Flying to ten Indian cities over 180 times per week, 22 destinations in Africa and points across the Middle East, Emirates will provide easy connectivity between Seattle and these key destinations, making business and leisure travel easier and more convenient for West Coast customers. Seattle is already assuming the role of a primary participant in the trade and commerce with Asia that will lead the economy into the 21st century and Emirates’ newest connection to the US will facilitate this. Emirates currently employs over 700 Americans at operations throughout the world, and anticipates hiring more than 4,000 cabin crew and 500 pilots globally this year. So far in 2012 alone, the airline has recruited cabin crew talent in Houston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami and Washington D.C and will be holding an open day in Seattle in March. Emirates will be holding pilot recruitment drives in Atlanta and New York over the coming months.