Emirates Airbus A380 touched down yesterday in Islamabad, Pakistan for a historic one-off service to Islamabad International Airport.

This was the first time that the double-decker aircraft has landed in Pakistan demonstrating the airport’s readiness to accommodate the A380, the world’s largest commercial passenger jet.

The special Emirates A380 flight was operated by UAE national, Capt Abbas Shaban, Chief Pilot of Technical Operations and Pakistani national, First Officer Qadir Moin.

The special flight, operating as EK 2524, was joined by a VIP delegation led by Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations.

Also on the flight were two Pakistani members of Emirates’ first ever team, Captain Fazle Ghani, the airline’s first Chief Pilot and Team Lead for Inaugural Operations and Captain Ejaz ul Haq, one of the pilots who operated the first ever Emirates flights from Dubai 33 years ago.

Upon landing at 1210 hrs at Islamabad International Airport, the aircraft was met with a ceremonial water cannon salute, and the Emirates delegation was welcomed by government officials and Islamabad International Airport executives.

After a welcoming ceremony, government officials, VIPs, media and members of the travel industry were given a guided tour of the A380 by Emirates cabin crew.

The two-class A380 that operated this special one-off service offers spacious seats in Economy Class and fully flat-bed seats in Business Class as well as Emirates’ popular onboard Lounge.