Emirates takes Dubai’s Expo bid to the skies

The airline is attaching giant stickers to its A380 fleet, promoting the UAE's bid to hold the event in Dubai in seven years time.  

The first aircraft to be dressed with the words "Expo 2020, Dubai UAE, Candidate City" was EK 306, which left for Beijing. In the coming weeks, the airline's entire A380 fleet, which currently stands at 31, will carry the Expo 2020 message.

World Expo, staged every five years and last held in Shanghai, attract millions of visitors. This would be the first time the event is held in the Middle East, and Emirates is a Premier Partner.

"The Emirates' A380s are such a powerful symbol of progress and represent the rapid economic and infrastructural journey Dubai has undertaken," said Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline.

The aircraft has changed the face of commercial flying, with more generous seats in Economy Class, industry leading mini-pods in Business Class and First Class Private Suites, along with Onboard Shower Spas and an Onboard Lounge, the A380 has generated fans across the world. Should the UAE secure World Expo 2020, the A380 will play major role in bringing visitors to Dubai.

Dubai is competing against four other candidate cities including Ayutthaya in Thailand, Ekaterinburg in Russia, Izmir in Turkey and Sao Paulo, Brazil. The winning city will be announced in November 2013 following a vote by the 161 member nations of the Paris-based Bureau International des Expositions (BIE).

Emirates operates flights on a daily schedule from Malta to Dubai via Larnaka, Cyprus.