Dubai (BBN)-Emirates airline has announced that it increased frequency to India and Bangladesh and also expanded capacity on Lebanon route.
The Dubai-based airline said it had increased frequencies to Dhaka and Kolkata last week, reports emirates247.com.
Effective from March 29, Emirates weekly flights to Dhaka and Kolkata increased to 21 and 13 respectively.
The airline also added capacity on its Kolkata route, upgrading the aircraft to a Boeing 777-200, and is introducing its renowned First Class cabin to passengers travelling to the Indian hub.
The additional flights offer convenient connections with Emirates’ West Asia and Indian Ocean (WA&IO) network from 37 European, 17 Middle Eastern and 10 American destinations.
"As a global connector of people and places, we always seek to offer our customers greater flexibility in their travel plans. Increasing our presence in the West Asian region allows travellers to connect seamlessly from other flights on Emirates' extensive global network while experiencing our award-winning product and service," said Ahmed Khoory, Emirates’ senior vice president, Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean.
Operating on Wednesdays, Emirates flight EK 572 departs Dubai International Airport at 13:00 hours and arrives in Kolkata at 19.15 hours.
The return flight EK 573 will depart at 20:30 hours and arrives in Dubai at 00:05 hours.
Emirates flight EK 586 departs Dubai at 10:30 hrs and arrives in Dhaka at 17:20hrs while EK 587 will departs Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Dhaka at 19:10hrs and reach Dubai at 22:10hrs.
To make a booking, visit: www.emirates.com
Emirates is also upgrading both of its aircraft serving Beirut to an all Boeing 777 operation.
The Airbus 330-200 currently deployed on one of Beirut’s two daily flights, EK 953/954, will be upgraded to a larger Boeing 777-200LR from 1 June, giving a 12 per cent boost to seat capacity.
Similarly, the A330-200 supporting EK 957/958 will be up-gauged to a Boeing 777-300 as of 1 January 2016, providing a 53% increase in the number of seats available to customers.
Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Emirates' Divisional Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Centre said: "Lebanon is one of our most important markets in the Middle East so we are constantly seeking ways to enhance our services, while responding to healthy passenger demand. Both upgrades to our services will open up more seats to our customers travelling to and from Beirut and will boost Emirates’ contribution to Lebanon’s vital tourism industry, which is the backbone of its economy.”
“The enhanced services and increased capacity will also expand Lebanese businesses’ access to global markets, yielding benefits to the country's economic output."
The UAE is home to almost 150,000 Lebanese residents, which form one of its largest expatriate communities.
Additionally, over 1,500 Lebanese businesses operate in Jebel Ali Free Zone, supporting a trade relationship between Lebanon and the UAE that is estimated to be over Dh4 billion, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy.