Emirates is to use an Airbus A380 on one of its thrice daily flights to Birmingham Airport from 27 March 2016.

The A380 will replace a Boeing 777 and means Emirates now operates 77 A380 flights to the UK each week. Emirates says the freight division, Emirates SkyCargo, saw 15 per cent year-on-year growth in 2014-15 at Birmingham and accounts for 60 per cent of the air cargo market in the Midlands.

Emirates UK vice president, Laurie Berryman says: “The launch of the new service, combined with our ongoing investment into the region, represents the huge significance we place on Birmingham and its role as a gateway to Dubai and across the globe. As we move into 2016, we look forward to another 15 successful years in the Midlands.”

Birmingham Airport chief executive, Paul Kehoe describes the announcement as “really great news” saying: “We would like to thank Emirates for its commitment to our region and congratulate the team on serving Birmingham and Dubai and beyond for 15 very fruitful years.”