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Emirates
Airline has launched flights to Cape Town - its 100th global destination, and second gateway in South Africa.
The inaugural flight EK 770 piloted by South African native, Captain Chris Rademan received a traditional water canon salute
while onboard passengers were greeted by a pulsating performance by members of the Marimba band.
As a result of South Africa 's growing economy and the escalating demand for air travel, the Dubai-based airline has steadily built up its
presence in the country. Last year, Emirates strengthened its 14-flights-per-week Johannesburg service with an additional frequency, taking
the weekly total to 21 flights.
Adnan Kazim,
Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, Africa said, "Emirates is grateful to the South African government and airport officials for assisting us in the successful start of our daily
operations to Cape Town. The new service will provide its customers in Europe, Middle East, the Indian-sub continent and Asia-Pacific with
direct access to Cape Town, one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. At the same time it will also open up over 90 global
destinations for Cape Town's travellers who can now avoid travelling via Johannesburg."
Provincial Minister Brown
added, "The new flight will give us more direct air access to the Middle East, which is a very significant tourism
market and world-wide hub for Cape Town and the Western Cape. It is also one of the markets we will focus on in the run-up to the 2010
FIFA World Cup."
Cape Town represents the first new gateway to be launched by Emirates in 2008. The airline has already announced its plans to start
services to Calicut, India and Guangzhou, China, both on 1st July followed by Los Angeles on 1st September.
To Cape Town, Emirates will introduce approximately 2000 seats and over 100 tonnes of cargo capacity per week.
EK770 will depart Dubai daily at 08:35 hrs, arriving in Cape Town at
16:25 hrs. Return flight EK771 will take off from Cape Town International
Airport at 18:10 hrs and touch down at Dubai International Airport at 05:40 hrs the following day.
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