DXB upgrade to hit EK

EMIRATES will reduce services to more than 100 destinations worldwide in Apr and May next year - including four of its Australian gateways - as Dubai Airport mounts a major upgrade to its southern runway.

Having announced a reduction in services to several points including Adelaide ( TD yesterday), the carrier has now confirmed plans to cut flights across dozens of other destinations over a 45- day period, including several of its flagship cities.

From 16 Apr, the carrier will reduce Sydney services from three to two daily, with EK416/417 now closed for bookings until the end of May.

Brisbane reduces from two to one flight daily, affecting EK430/431, as will Perth which loses EK424/425.

Previously announced changes see Adelaide drop from daily to five flights a week, while Auckland drops from daily to six services a week.

Major overseas destinations affected include London Heathrow (cut from 42 to 31 flights per week), London Gatwick (from three to two daily), Frankfurt (from 21 to 18 weekly) and Milan (three to two daily).

Other major affected points include ATH, BCN, BHX, BRU, BUD, CPH, GLA, MAN, JFK, EWR, NCE, PRG, VIE, VCE and ZRH.

A spokesperson for Emirates said the carrier was working closely with the airport to prepare for the runway closure.

“We fully support this enhancement to the airport infrastructure, which is key to Dubai’s development as a global aviation hub,” he said.

The southern runway at DXB is near the end of its design life and will be completely resurfaced, as was its northern counterpart in a similar process in 2014.