Rather than adding new routes, this expansion involves adding extra flights.
Salem Obaidalla, Emirates” senior VP commercial operations, West India and the Indian Ocean says: ”Having fuelled strong economic and trade ties between the Middle East and India since the start of services in 1985, we are well poised to support India”s blistering growth in the 21st century with efficient, reliable and increased air links.”
It means European travellers will find more options for making connections over Emirates” Dubai hub. This is especially important in the case of destinations like Hyderabad, Bangalore, Madras and Cochin which are not well served by direct flights from the UK or mainland Europe in comparison to Mumbai and Delhi.
In the case of mainland Europe, Emirates” expansion revolves largely around adding capacity by using larger aircraft.
The main details are:
India
” Dubai to Delhi: The number of weekly flights is increased from 18 to 25 a week effective October 28.
” Dubai to Mumbai: One extra flight (starting February 1 next year) will give Emirates a total of five daily services on this route.
” Dubai to Hyderabad: From December 1 the number of flights will be boosted from 19 to 21 a week.
” Dubai to Bangalore: Emirates will add four more flights every week taking the total from 15 to 19. The new services start on December 1.
” Dubai-Madras: Starting October 28, flights will increase from 14 to 18 a week.
” Dubai-Cochin: Four more flights a week starting February 1 next year. This takes the total from 10 to 14 a week.
Mainland Europe
” Dubai-Athens increased from the current single flight to a double daily service effective February 2 next year.
” More seats will be added to routes linking Dubai with Frankfurt (effective February 2), Munich (effective March 1), Zurich and Vienna (end October). What Emirates is doing here is rostering larger B777s in place of smaller Airbus A330s and A340s on some services.
Schedule details are available on emirates.com and the main GDS booking systems.
For more information go to www.emirates.com
Alex McWhirter