Emirates Launches Daily Flights to Kiev

Emirates has launched a scheduled daily service to Kiev, its first route to Ukraine.

Operating the daily service with an Airbus A340-500, Emirates’ new Kiev service will help support vital trade between the two countries, allowing Ukrainian companies to connect with the UAE and beyond to expand their businesses.

Ties between the two countries were strengthened with the opening last year of the UAE Embassy in Kiev.

During the first half of 2013, the value of trade between Ukraine and the UAE increased 27% to US$429 million.

The additional capacity for the carriage of goods – a 15-ton cargo hold on every flight – will boost that vital trade, transporting steel, aircraft components, heavy machinery and ships spares out of Ukraine.

With a booming agricultural sector, Ukraine is also currently the world’s largest exporter of sunflower oil and a major global producer of grain and sugar. Imports from the UAE into Ukraine consist of vehicles, textiles, dates, medicines, perfumes, tea and juices.

“We are very positive about our new service between Kiev and Dubai, and we believe this daily air link will further stimulate the growing business and tourism opportunities between both cities,” said Thierry Antinori, Emirates ‘ Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Over 150,000 Ukrainians a year visit the UAE and we know Dubai is a popular choice for Ukrainians, who appreciate the world-class accommodation, dining and entertainment venues, warm weather and clean sandy beaches. Now they will have greater choice - access to Emirates award-winning service and gourmet food and for the first time on this route a First Class cabin option.”

Emirates Airbus A340-500 features 12 private suites in First Class, 42 reclining Business Class seats and 204 seats in Economy Class.

Passengers in all classes can lose themselves in the ice entertainment system, with hundreds of channels of on-demand entertainment to choose from, including movies from around the world, TV channels, audio channels, video games and news, sports and business headlines.

Passengers also have the advantage of a generous baggage allowance, with 30 kilogrammes for those travelling in Economy Class, 40 kilogrammes for Business Class and 50 kilogrammes for First Class.

The daily service EK171 leaves Dubai at 17:10 and arrives in Kiev at 20:30 the same day. The return flight to Dubai leaves Kiev at 22:05 and gets into Dubai at 04:45 the following day.