The announcement of the new route was made at a press conference held in the Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa in Dubai. Joachim Hunold, chief executive officer of airberlin, Burkhard Kieker, chief executive officer of visitBerlin, and Prof. Dr. Rainer Schwarz, chief executive officer of Berlin Airports, introduced the new nonstop connection in Dubai.

Joachim Hunold, Chief Executive Officer of airberlin, said: “For the first time, airberlin flies nonstop from the Middle East to Germany on a regular basis and, as the only airline, connects Dubai with Berlin. Dubai is an extremely important location for airberlin, where we see a great potential for future growth. We are convinced that this flight connection will also contribute to further tightening and expanding the excellent relations between Germany and the Emirate of Dubai.”

Stefan Magiera, general manager Middle East will be running airberlin’s activities in the United Arab Emirates as well as in Bahrain, Qatar and Oman with immediate effect. “ We have great interest in this region as the number of passengers to and for have been increasing,” he told Arab News on the sidelines of press conference. Initially, the service will be three times a week, he added.

Burkhard Kieker, Chief Executive Officer of visit Berlin, said: “With a growth of 13 percent, Dubai and the Arab Gulf states are an important growth market. Finally, airberlin will launch flights to Dubai. Berlin is an ideal destination for health and wellness, culture and shopping. The city is an oasis of relaxation, which not only has numerous parks and public lakes and rivers, but also more bridges than Venice. Moreover, 22 luxury hotels across the city ensure perfect service and an unforgettable stay in Berlin.”

Dr. Rainer Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of Berlin Airports said: “We are delighted that airberlin will fly from Dubai to Berlin three times a week from November. The new long-haul route proves that air traffic from and to Berlin is a growth market.”