Emirates to Launch Flights to Zambia and Zimbabwe

Emirates is to launch flights to 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 be linked with a five times weekly flight from Dubai, starting 1 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.”

The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service will be operated by an A330-200 aircraft in a three-class configuration that offers 12 First Class seats, 42 seats in Business Class and 183 in Economy Class.

Customers in all cabins will be able to enjoy hundreds of channels of entertainment and the facility to send and receive emails and text messages.

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 one of the largest curtains 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% 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% over the next 10 years.

Starting 1 February 2012, EK 713 will depart Dubai on every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 09:25, arriving in Lusaka at 14:50. The service will depart Lusaka at 16:20, arriving in Harare at 17:20. The return flight leaves Harare at 19:20, arriving Lusaka at 20:20. It departs Lusaka at 21:50 and lands in Dubai at 07:10 the next day.

“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.”

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