Emirates On Take-Off For Luanda

Emirates On Take-Off For Luanda

The start of Emirates' flights between Dubai and Luanda reflects the flurry of global interest in Africa's second biggest oil producer, according to an Angolan government minister.

Emirates will start a three times a week service from Dubai to the Angolan capital this Sunday (October 25), prompting the comments by Angola's Transport Minister, Augusto da Silva Tomás.

Mr da Silva Tomas said: "In a global world, where physical distances still exist, a flight connection between two steady developing countries enhances the potential for growth of both nations. The reputation of Emirates and the preference of Angola as one of the main destinations in Africa, demonstrates the enormous interest Angola is provoking worldwide."

Using an Airbus A330-200 in a three-class configuration, Emirates will fly to Luanda on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. EK 791 will take off from Dubai at 10am and arrive in Luanda at 3.10pm local time. On the way back, EK792 leaves Luanda at 6pm, touching down in Dubai eight hours later at 4.50am local time the following morning. Flights will connect at Dubai with New Zealand services in each direction.

Nigel Page, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Americas and Africa, said: "Africa is such an exciting continent for us and such an important part of the world in terms of world trade. Emirates has demonstrated time and time again that a new air link stimulates business and we look forward to the same happening in Luanda, our 18th destination in Africa and one of only two new routes we have announced this year. This makes our decision to launch the service all the more significant."

In 2004, non-oil trade between Dubai and Angola was around US$64 million, according to statistics from Dubai World, Dubai's government-owned investment company. By 2008, that figure had skyrocketed to more than US$800 million.

Luanda is the second new African service to be launched this year by Emirates. Durban, one of the FIFA 2010 host cities, became its third gateway into South Africa on October 1.

ENDS

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