The Dubai-Seoul route will debut in November 2009, while the Singapore service will commence in December and initially operate four times a week.

The carrier said it would grow the number of flights across its network by 14% in 2009, adding 18 new passenger aircraft.

By 31 March 2010 Emirates will have seven more A380s, bringing its fleet to 11, and it will also add 11 more 777s in the next year.

Emirates said it saw the current global financial situation as a 'time of opportunity' during which it will concentrate on strengthening its presence on high demand routes - particularly in Africa and the Middle East.

Fewer new routes would be launched in 2009 than in previous years, the carrier said.

Emirates also confirmed that it would add a third daily Sydney flight later this year.