Emirates to fly to South Africa daily

May 08, 2008

EMIRATES Airline is to introduce daily flights to Durban, South Africa, following its successful operations in Cape Town. Tim Clark, the carrier’s president, disclosed that the new flights would start in December.

By James Odomel
EMIRATES Airline is to introduce daily flights to Durban, South Africa, following its successful operations in Cape Town. Tim Clark, the carrier’s president, disclosed that the new flights would start in December.

“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,” he said.

Currently handling 50% of the country’s break-bulk cargo and 65% of its containerised traffic, Durban will play a catalytic role in strengthening trade movement between the UAE and South Africa, Clark explained.

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

Clark said: “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 said Africa was key to Emirates’ global network expansion strategy.

“We currently operate 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%.

Emirates will continue to spread its wings in the African skies,” Clark said. He said Emirates will serve Durban with an Airbus A330-200 aircraft offering 27 business class and 251 economy class seats.

“Onboard passengers will enjoy multi-course meals with ethnic dishes prepared by master chefs; attentive service from the airline’s multi-lingual cabin crew; personal entertainment systems; and quieter and more restful cabins equipped with wider seats,” Clark said.

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