To kick-off the busy summer travel season, passengers flying Emirates can now look forward to hours of non-stop entertainment with an increase in the number of new movie releases available onboard.

Passengers will be spoiled for choice as they can now enjoy 20 per cent more new release films on every route. Inflight entertainment options now include 16 new movie releases, a broader range of television programmes, as well as 26 audio channels and 50 interactive games.

On aircrafts fitted with Emirates’ inflight entertainment system, ice (information communications entertainment), currently available on over 40 per cent of the fleet, customers can enjoy 600 channels of entertainment. Enhancements on ice now include 50 new movie releases, 25 movie classics, 25 children’s films and large number of Arabic, Hindi and other world cinema films available.

Emirates divisional senior vice-president corporate communications, Mike Simon, said: “Emirates strives to ensure that the entertainment provided appeals to our customers: sophisticated business and family travellers from around the world. Our team undertakes a rigorous process of reviewing all offerings to ensure the highest-quality, internationally diverse entertainment options. With 20 per cent more new releases added to our flights, passengers are sure to enjoy the widest possible range.”

Emirates Airline Inflight Entertainment has demonstrated consistent success in awards recognition since its beginnings in 1985. The carrier recently won “Best Inflight Entertainment” at the recent 2006 World Airline Awards by Skytrax for the second year in a row. This award, voted on by over one million airline passengers, maintains Emirates’ global leadership in the inflight entertainment category.

Emirates flies to over 80 destinations in more than 55 countries including Malta. The airline operates four flights weekly from Malta to Dubai via Larnaca, Cyprus, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on A330-200.