Emirates introduces Airbus A340 on Accra-Dubai route

Mr Manoj Nair, Emirates Regional Manager for West Africa, has said the airline has introduced an Airbus A340-500 to its Accra –Dubai route to underline the airline’s commitment to Ghana.

He said the aircraft update which was effective February 13, 2012 would “offer travelers from West African markets seamless connections to the Far East, Middle East, Indian subcontinent and Australia, via Emirates Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport”.

Mr Nair, in a statement released in Accra on Monday, said the demand for Emirate’s flights to Accra had been steadily rising and that the introduction of the A340-500 would give customers an even better experience when they traveled on the Accra-Dubai route.

He said “our customers will now enjoy the very latest Emirates in-flight products, including our multi award-winning ice entertainment system. Additionally, First Class passengers will experience Emirates’ ergonomically-designed private First Class suites, featuring privacy screens for maximum exclusivity and massage-enabled seats which convert into flat beds. Our Business Class customers will experience angled lie-flat beds and those traveling in Economy Class will enjoy the comfort of generously-sized seats”.

The statement said Emirates, one of the world’s fastest-growing international airlines, serves Accra daily, with an A340-500 aircraft offering 12 First Class Private Suites, 42 seats in Business Class and 204 Economy Class seats and employs more than 130 Ghanaian nationals in a variety of roles across the Emirates Group, including 75 cabin crew.

It said the aircraft also has a total of 13 tonnes of cargo-carrying capacity. EK 788 departs Accra at 1845hrs and lands in Dubai at 0630hrs. EK787 leaves Dubai at 0740hrs and arrives in Accra at 1240hrs.

It said customers in all cabins can enjoy Emirates’ professionally selected wines, spirits and beverages, as well as fresh, locally-sourced dining options prepared by gourmet chefs and served by the airline’s multi-national cabin crew. Passengers can also lose themselves in more than 600 channels of on-demand entertainment, including 50 new movie releases, more than 20 movie classics and 20 children’s films.

Emirates has already launched new routes to Rio, Buenos Aires, Dublin, Lusaka, Harare and Dallas in 2012 would follow with Seattle on March 1, Ho Chi Minh City on June 4, and Barcelona on July 3, 2012.

Emirates broadens its African network with Lusaka and Harare launch

Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, has extended its reach into Africa with the launch of a new linked flights to Harare and Lusaka. Now flying to 22 points within Africa, Emirates will connect Zambia and Zimbabwe to key markets across Europe, the Far East, Australasia and the Indian Subcontinent.

The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service operates every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using an A330-200 aircraft in a three class configuration.EK 713 departs Dubai at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1450hrs. The onward flights to Harare departs Lusaka at 1620hrs, reaching the Zimbabwean capital at 1720hrs. The return flight leaves Harare at 1920hrs, arriving Lusaka at 2020hrs. It departs Lusaka at 2150hrs, landing in Dubai at 0710hrs the next day.
"Zambia and Zimbabwe are both important emerging business and industrial centres, with economies that are projected to grow by over five per cent annually during the coming years," said Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President Revenue Optimisation & Distribution.
He said, "Emirates' new service will play a significant role in supporting this growth by connecting Lusaka and Harare to our worldwide network, opening new conduits for trade, investment and tourism."
On board today's flight were Nabil Sultan, Divisional Senior Vice President Revenue Optimisation & Distribution; Jean Luc Grillet, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Africa; Muhammed Riza, Manager Commercial Business Development; Duncan Watson, Emirates Regional Manager Cargo Commercial; The Honourable Given Lubinda, Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs; The Honourable Yamfwa Mukanga, Zambian Minister of Transport, Works, Supply and Communications; The Honourable Fackson Shamenda, Zambian Minister of Tourism; the Honourable Nicholas Goche, Zimbabwean Minister of Transport; Marah Hativagone, Chairperson, Zimbabwean Tourism Council (ZTC); Rueben K. Walobele, Special Assistant to Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs; Chitalu Kabalika, Aid to Zambian Minister of Transport; Agnes Chaila, Business Development Manager, National Airport Corporation Ltd. (NACL) and Cleophas Mathabire, Aid to the Zimbabwean Minister of Transport.
Upon arrival at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka, Emirates' inaugural Flight 713 was greeted by a traditional water cannon salute.
"Emirates' decision to operate to Lusaka represents new economic doors being opened to our country. The fact that this airline, which is successful on all continents, is entering markets like ours as part of its expansion plans is clear evidence of excellent future prospects for Zambia and Zambians," said the Honourable Given Lubinda, the Zambian Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Emirates services to Lusaka will be a huge boost to its tourism industry, helping to support the Zambia Tourism Board's target for increasing visitor arrivals by 22.5% to one million visitors in 2012.
The onward connection to Harare, operated by Zimbabwean Captain Ca Busiso Ndlovu, also received a warm welcome at Harare International Airport. Later that evening, leading figures from the travel trade, local businesses and the government attended a gala dinner event which featured performances by local stars Victor Kunonga, Dudu Manhenga and Oliver Tuku.
"The arrival of Emirates flights to Zimbabwe is a very significant development for the market. We welcome the entrance of a truly global airline; with an extensive network, large fleet and great reputation for quality service which will greatly improve choice and connectivity for Zimbabwean travelers," said the Honourable Nicholas Goche, Zimbabwean Minister of Transport, Communications and Infrastructural Development. "Emirates will bring greater capacity and fare competitiveness, which will certainly lead to traffic growth to and from Zimbabwe."
It is expected that Emirates' flights to Harare will support the Tourism Ministry's projections that the sector will contribute over $5bn to the Zimbabwean economy by 2015. To support the linked service, Emirates will promote Zambia and Zimbabwe's tourism attractions, including Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, game reserves and safaris, in advertising campaigns executed across the airline's global network. Emirates Holidays will also feature eight pages on Zimbabwe and Zambia in its 2012 World of Choice brochure.
With a fleet of 169 aircraft, Emirates is the world's largest Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator. The airline placed an order for 50 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November, bringing its total order book to 236 aircraft, worth over $84bn at list prices.
Following the launch of Lusaka and Harare, Emirates will start services to Dallas, Texas on 2nd February and Seattle on 1st March, Ho Chi Minh City on 4th June and Barcelona on 3rd July.

Emirates Airline to increase flights

THE Emirates Airline will increase flights to Harare in Zimbabwe and Lusaka, to six times a week by October this year from the current five.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) based Airline launched its Lusaka and Harare route last week said the move will ease connectivity from the two countries to Dubai and other destinations world-wide.

Emirates Airline senior vice-president for commercial operations in Africa Jean-Luc Grillet said sound economic policies existing in Zambia had resulted in increased volumes of tourists, traders and investors travelling to and from Lusaka, hence the need for the airline to exploit such an opportunity.

Addressing journalists in Lusaka, Mr Grillet said the airline had a cargo capacity of 16,000 tonnes and this would enhance exports from Zambia to various destinations adding that the airline is committed to contributing to the country’s economic growth through the facilitation of efficient connectivity.

Emirates expands capacity to Durban

Although most foreign airlines are so far declining to fly to Durban’s King Shaka International Airport, preferring to take Durban-bound passengers to Johannesburg from where they transfer to local flights, Emirates is boosting its capacity on the route “in response to strong demand”.

The Dubai-based airline announced yesterday that it would substitute a larger, 354-seat Boeing 777-Extended Range aircraft for the Airbus A330-200 it has been using on the route, increasing capacity by almost 30 percent.

So far the only other international airline flying to Durban is Air Mauritius, although British Airways (BA) has regularly investigated the market. BA/Comair suggested extending its BA franchise for southern Africa to serve the route last year, but was advised against it after BA carried out a feasibility study.

However, Jean-luc Grillet, Emirates senior vice-president for commercial operations in Africa, said yesterday that it had carried more than 165 000 passengers between Durban and its home airport of Dubai since October 2009, with average passenger loads of 83 percent. It has also carried more than 5 240 tons of high value export cargo on the route.

“We have experienced positive growth which we attribute to a growing recognition of this city as a popular tourist destination and one of the key trading hubs in South Africa,” Grillet said.

Emirates was the first airline from the Persian Gulf to fly into South Africa. After starting a daily service from Johannesburg in 1995, it expanded to Cape Town, from where it flies twice a day. It is also expanding throughout Africa, currently serving 20 passenger and cargo destinations on the continent.

Dubai has been developed as a hub airport serving destinations worldwide including Europe, North and South America and the Far East. It opened the first branch of Emirates Holidays outside Dubai in Johannesburg last year, enabling passengers and tour operators to book flights and accommodation to any of its destinations.

SAA views its expansion as a threat. SAA chief executive Siza Mzimela said in Parliament last year that the number of Emirates flights to South Africa meant that it was taking business from point-to-point airlines bringing passengers directly to this country.

Emirates strengthens East Africa service with direct flights

Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, will soon offer customers a quicker and more convenient link to Uganda, with the introduction of a direct service.

“As demand for our Entebbe service continues to grow, customers can now enjoy the convenience of a non-stop air link with Dubai. Our new direct service will offer seamless connections to key destinations in the Middle East, Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East, together with the award-winning in-flight service for which Emirates is renowned," said Jean Luc Grillet, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Africa.

Starting 25th March, EK 729 will depart Dubai at 0825hrs each day, arriving in Entebbe at 12:35hrs. The return leg, EK 730, will leave the Ugandan city at 1540hrs and get into Dubai at 2155hrs.

“At Emirates, we continually look for new ways to improve the service we provide to our customers. Entebbe is an important market for Emirates in the East African region and we are dedicated to ensuring our customers have access to the highest service standards both in the air and on the ground,” added Jean Luc. Emirates will operate an Airbus A330-200 on its Entebbe routes in a three-class configuration, featuring 12 luxurious First Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 183 passengers in Economy Class. Onboard, passengers can enjoy delicacies from an exclusive menu served to them by Emirates’ cabin crew representing over 120 nations.

With a fleet of 168 aircraft and the largest A380 and Boeing 777 operator in the world, Emirates currently serves 20 destinations in the African continent, with new flights to Zambia and Zimbabwe starting from February 2012.
To date, Emirates’ Entebbe route has been operated as a linked service with Addis Adaba.

Emirates to add more flights to Pakistan

KARACHI: Emirates has announced two additional flights a week to Northern Pakistan. From February 7th Emirates will serve its passengers in Lahore and Islamabad eight times a week. The airline will now be operating 47 flights into and out of Pakistan with an additional weekly flight operating to both Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore and Benazir Bhutto International Airport Islamabad. Commenting on the occasion, Badr Abbas, Emirates’ Vice President, Pakistan and Afghanistan, said: “The increased frequencies are testament to our long-term plan in Pakistan. In just a few months we have increased our flights from 39 flights a week to 47 flights a week.

Emirates launches new routes to Dublin, Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires from Dubai

Emirates have been busy at the start of the New Year by adding three new destinations to its network. On 3 January, the airline launched a new service from its Dubai (DXB) hub to Rio de Janeiro (GIG) – a distance of almost 11,900 kilometres – before continuing to Buenos Aires (EZE). Rio is Emirates’ second destination in Brazil after São Paulo. The new flights operate daily with 354-seat 777-300ERs. Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ EVP Passenger Sales Worldwide, commented: “Emirates will offer customers in Brazil and Argentina the most efficient and comfortable route to the Middle and Far East, including the airline’s four destinations in China and two gateways in Japan, which are key trading partners for both countries.” This makes Emirates the second ‘MEB3’ airline to serve Argentina after Qatar Airways’ Doha-Sao Paulo-Buenos Aires route. On 9 January, Emirates became the second ‘MEB3’ carrier to serve the Irish capital Dublin (DUB) after Etihad. Emirates’ daily flights are operated with A330-200 aircraft. Dublin Airport Authority’s CEO Declan Collier said: “Emirates’ decision to enter the Irish market shows the continued demand for long-haul services into and out of Ireland. Connectivity is essential for business and for tourism and this new service to Dubai, and the onward connections that it will provide will be very beneficial for the Irish economy.” In an interview with the Irish Independent, Emirates’ VP UK and Ireland, Laurie Berryman, revealed that the airline expects 55% of passengers on the new route to originate on the island of Ireland, and that 65-75% of these passengers will transfer in Dubai to Emirates’ onward destinations in the Far East and Australasia. Around 5,000 Irish nationals live in the UAE and approximately 80,000 in Australia, which is a key market.

Special air fares on new services to South America with Emirates

Emirates has launched a daily non-stop flights to Rio de Janiero and onwards to Buenos Aires from 3 January 2012, offering special fares to customers from Malta flying to Buenos Aires in Argentina and to Rio de Janiero and Sao Paulo in Brazil.

The special airfares are inclusive of taxes and start from €846 to Rio de Janiero, €850 to Buenos Aires and €856 to Sao Paulo. The offer is valid for travel until 31 March 2012.  Terms and Conditions apply.

Brazil has been part of the Emirates network since 2007 when Emirates began flights from Dubai to Sao Paulo. The new service to Buenos Aires and Rio de Janiero will open new markets in tourism, trade and investment between South America and Emirates worldwide network of over 100 destinations.

The Dubai-Rio de Janeiro-Buenos Aires service will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft offering eight First Class Private Suites, 42 lie-flat seats in Business and 304 seats in Economy. Over 1,200 channels of entertainment on demand on "ice", the airline's award-winning in-flight entertainment system, are available to passengers.

EK 247 will leave Dubai daily at 0705hrs and arrive at Rio's Antônio Carlos Jobim International Airport at 1535hrs. It will depart Rio at 1720hrs, arriving at Buenos Aires Ministro Pistarini International Airport (Ezeiza) at 1930hrs. From Buenos Aires, EK 248 departs at 2130hrs, arriving in Rio at 0120hrs the next day. The aircraft will depart Rio at 0255hours, arriving in Dubai at 2235hrs.

Emirates to launch A380 flights to Melbourne and Tokyo

Emirates has celebrated the addition of the 20th Airbus A380 to its fleet by announcing plans to use the aircraft on flights to Melbourne, Australia and Tokyo, Japan.

Melbourne has been part of the Middle Eastern carrier's network since 1996 and will host a non-stop A380 service from Dubai as of 1 October 2012.
Travellers will also be able to connect to onward flights to Auckland in New Zealand from the Australian city.
Emirates will deploy the Airbus superjumbo on a daily route from its hub to Tokyo from 1 July 2012, marking the tenth year of operations between Dubai and Japan and the airline's third year of flying to Narita airport in the Japanese capital.

The announcement highlights the carrier's commitment to the Far East and Australasia, said Richard Jewsbury, senior vice president of commercial operations in the regions.
'Emirates not only offers a world-class inflight experience but a superior global network,' he added.
'The announcement of enhanced services into Melbourne and Tokyo comes as we introduce flights from Dubai to Dublin, our 29th European destination.'

Emirates launches internet connectivity on A380s

Emirates passengers now have the opportunity to connect to wireless internet networks and surf the web, send emails and access social networking sites during flights on the Airbus A380.

Users of smartphones, tablets and laptops can access the service by opening up their device's wireless connections and logging on to the OnAir network.

Prices start from US$7.50 (£4.84) for mobiles and US$15 for laptops.

The airline has launched Wi-Fi connectivity on 11 of its 19 A380s currently in service, with the facility set to be made available on the entire fleet of 71 superjumbos on order.

Emirates spokesman Patrick Brannelly said the carrier recognises the growing importance of inflight web access, especially on longer journeys.

'Adding internet access is going to be a vital and ubiquitous part of any inflight experience, just as it is in everyday life on the ground,' he added.

Furthermore, the airline revealed that all new Airbus A380s delivered from mid-2012 will come with a full range of Wi-Fi, mobile phone and data services.