Emirates to fly daily Durban - Dubai

6 May, 2008: Following the successful start of operations in Cape Town, Emirates Airline will advance its presence in South Africa with the introduction of daily flights to Durban, effective December 1, this year.

The new service, which incidentally is Emirates’ third direct connection between Dubai and South Africa, comes after the launch of its third-daily service to Johannesburg in 2007 and daily service to Cape Town in 2008.

According to a report, Durban’s advantageous location on the east coast of South Africa makes it a natural hub for trade with the Indian Ocean and Asia Pacific countries, boosting its status as Africa's largest port and the world’s ninth busiest. Currently handling 50 percent of the country’s break-bulk cargo and 65 percent of its containerised traffic, Durban will play a catalytic role in strengthening trade movement between the UAE and South Africa.

Durban, Emirates 16th passenger destination in Africa, will accelerate the Dubai-based airline’s weekly capacity into the continent to 93 flights.

Tim Clark, President, Emirates Airline noted: “Emirates is grateful to the Government of South Africa for granting us the permission to launch operations to Durban. I am confident the new service will foster greater business, tourism and cultural exchange, and prove an asset in the growth plans of Durban.”

“Our flights will provide travellers from key cities in Europe, the Indian-sub continent and Middle East a direct access to Durban and will strengthen inbound tourist arrivals. At the same time it will open up a direct link to over 90 global destinations for Durban’s outbound travellers who can now avoid travelling via Johannesburg,” he added.

Emirates currently operates 86 flights per week to 15 African gateways and owing to the continent’s growing economy and escalating demand for air travel, these flights operate at robust seat factors of over 80 percent. The airline will serve Durban with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft offering 27 Business Class and 251 Economy Class seats.