Emirates Launches Services To Hyderabad

Emirates launched eight-weekly services to the Indian city of Hyderabad last week when Flight EK572 took off from Dubai International Airport with a delegation of leading Dubai businessmen, senior Emirates management, and a media group among its passengers.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates' Commercial Operations Director, was accompanied by leading Dubai Businessmen including Mohammed Al Abbar, Director General of Dubai Economic Dept & Chairman of Emaar Properties; Abdulla Al Ansari, Director HR & Development, Dubai Civil Aviation; Wahid Atallah, General Manager, Dubai World Trade Centre Ibrahim Al Hashemi, Corporate Manager-Exhibitions, Dubai World Trade Centre; Abdulla A Al Falasi, Deputy Manager, Overseas Promotions, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing and Abdulfattah Sharaf of the National Bank of Dubai.

Mr Al Ghaith said: "We would like to thank the Indian Civil Aviation Authorities for allowing us to launch this new, non-stop service between Dubai and Hyderabad.

"Dubai is rapidly positioning itself as the technology centre for the Middle East region and Emirates' new operations to Hyderabad will provide a vital link to a region considered the Hi-Tec centre of India."

Operating the inaugural flight were Captain Paul White and First Officer Shirish Pai.

The delegation was received at Hyderabad International Airport by the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh state, the Hon. Chander Babu Naidu. Following the reception, the delegation attended the official opening of the new Emirates' office in Hyderabad.

In the evening, Emirates' hosted a star-studded gala dinner at the Ramoji Film City for some 600 guests from among India's leading business community and media, who enjoyed a show by top Indian and international entertainers, including Indian singer, Usha Uthup.

Flights to the capital of Andhra Pradesh state are operated with a brand-new Airbus A330-200, configured in three classes, with 18 First, 42 Business and 183 Economy Class seats.

The hold of the A330 offers 13 tonnes of cargo capacity, with a full passenger load. Peter Sedgley, General Manager Cargo Commercial Operations, said: "With eight services per week, Emirates has high expectations for cargo, especially in the export sector, with high demand for fruit and vegetable products to the Gulf, Middle East and European destinations, as well as locally-produced chemical and pharmaceutical products.

"In addition, Hyderabad will act as a gateway for Central and East Indian cities for both imports and exports for Emirates' world-wide destinations."

This new service means that Emirates now operates 37 flights per week between Dubai and India, with 8 flights to Hyderabad, seven flights to Delhi, 18 flights to Mumbai and four flights to Chennai.

Flight EK570 takes off from Dubai on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays at 0315, arriving in Hyderabad at 0825. The return flight, EK 571, leaves Hyderabad at 0950 and arrives back in Dubai at 1200.

Flight EK572 leaves Dubai on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2215, arriving in Hyderabad at 0325 the next day. The return flight, EK573, takes off from Hyderabad at 0440 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, touching down in Dubai at 0650.