Press Release 1 July 2007
Emirates to launch services to Ahmedabad
Setting the stage yet again for increased co-operation between the U.A.E. and India, Emirates Airline has announced its plans to start non-stop services to Ahmedabad, providing a first direct link between India's sixth largest city, and Dubai, the pride of the Middle East and its fastest-growing metropolis.
Emirates plans to operate six flights per week to Ahmedabad at the start of the winter timetable i.e. on 28th October. Flights will be operated in two- and three-class configurations using the modern A330-200 and Boeing 777-200 aircraft; both popular choices for the airline's existing India network.
The Emirates' Dubai-Ahmedabad service will take approximately three hours, and will inject over 1500 passenger seats and 100-plus tonnes of cargo capacity per week on the route.
Dubbed the 'Manchester of the East', Ahmedabad is an important industrial centre with a booming textile industry. Also to be found within the walled city and beyond it are historical monuments dating back to the 15th century, offering visitors a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles of architecture. Topping its list of must-see tourist attractions is the Sabarmati Ashram of Mahatma Gandhi - father of the Indian nation and pioneer of the 'Satyagraha' or non-violent freedom movement.
Ahmedabad is the latest in a series of new routes, namely Newcastle, Sao Paulo, Toronto, and Houston, to be launched by the Dubai-based airline in the present year. It also represents Emirates' fourth Indian gateway in a span of less than two years, the others being Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata and Bangalore - all launched in quick succession in 2006.
HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and Chief Executive, Emirates Airline & Group noted: 'Emirates decision to start operations to Ahmedabad comes close on the heels of our recent announcement to expand services to Mumbai, Chennai, Cochin and Hyderabad; clearly signalling our expansion-based strategy for India. We are pleased that our enhanced presence will provide travellers, particularly those in the Middle East - home to the burgeoning Non Resident Indian (NRI) population - with more convenient access to India.'
'I am also confident the new, direct link will stimulate increased commerce and tourism exchange between long-standing partners U.A.E. and India, and prove popular with business and leisure travellers,' he added.