Emirates’
extensive African network is to be boosted again with the launch of two
new destinations – Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, and Harare, the
capital city of Zimbabwe.
Zambia and Zimbabwe, which share a
border with the Victoria Falls, one of the natural wonders of the world,
will now be linked with a five times weekly flight from Dubai, starting
from 1st February 2012.
“Emirates has long understood the
enormous potential of Africa, which today is one of the
fastest-expanding economic regions of the world, benefitting from a
combined market of over one billion people, rising consumer demand and
an abundance of natural resources,” said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin
Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline &
Group.
“Zambia and Zimbabwe will be our 20th and 21st African
destinations and their addition to our global network will enable us to
provide new flexibility and choice for customers, help to grow trade
routes and create important new inbound and outbound markets for
tourism,” added His Highness.
“The arrival of an airline of
Emirates’ stature will be very significant for Zimbabwe, increasing
capacity, connectivity and choice as the country strives to consolidate
its economic recovery through attracting new trade, tourism and
investment,” said Mr. David Chawota, Chief Executive Officer, Civil
Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
“We are extremely proud of the
facilities we have at Harare International Airport and look forward to
providing the very best service to Emirates customers from around the
world. We really appreciate the support of our Government in
facilitating this development.”
The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service
will be operated by an A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration
that offers 12 luxurious First Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class
and generous space for 183 passengers in Economy Class.
Customers
in all cabins will enjoy meals prepared by gourmet chefs, award-winning
service from the airline’s international cabin crew recruited from over
120 countries, as well as hundreds of channels of entertainment and the
facility to send and receive emails and text messages. Passengers
flying Emirates from Lusaka and Harare will be able to connect
seamlessly to points across the Far and Middle East, Indian
sub-continent, Europe and Australasia via the airline’s hub in Dubai.
A
must-see for any visitor to Zambia or Zimbabwe is the Victoria Falls, a
UNESCO World Heritage site. The 1.7 km wide natural wonder cascades for
over 100 metres, making the Falls the largest curtain of water in the
world. Both countries also boast a wealth of other breathtaking sights,
including world-class national safari parks.
A bellyhold
capacity of 16 tonnes will support the import and export of a diverse
range of commodities, such as machinery, clothing, computer parts, and
pharmaceuticals. These goods will arrive from markets like the United
Arab Emirates, South East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Europe.
Fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables will be exported – heading to
destinations including Europe, China, Saudi Arabia and South Korea.
Africa
was one of only two continents to record economic growth during the
recent global downturn and its growth rate is likely to exceed 5 per
cent this year, according to the Harvard Business Review.
With a
collective Gross Domestic Product now roughly equal to that of Brazil
or Russia, Relative Market Growth Index forecasts indicate that Africa’s
combined revenue could grow by approximately $1 trillion by 2020.The
number of households with discretionary income is projected to rise by
50 percent over the next 10 years.
Starting 1st February 2012,
EK 713 will depart Dubai on every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and
Sunday at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1450hrs. The service will
depart Lusaka at 1620hrs, arriving in Harare at 1720. The return flight
leaves Harare at 1920, arriving Lusaka at 2020. It departs Lusaka at
2150 and lands in Dubai at 0710hrs the next day.
With a fleet of
157 aircraft and already the largest A380 operator in the world,
Emirates currently flies to 114 destinations in 67 countries.
Services
to Basra, Geneva and Copenhagen have already started this year. Flights
to St Petersburg begin on 1st November with Baghdad following suit as
of 13th November. Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires become new links into
South America from 3rd January 2012.
Emirates currently serves 19 passenger and cargo destinations across the African continent.
