Ahmedabad, 22 October, 2011

Emirates that operates 10 flights to Dubai from Ahmedabad today announced that it would connect further more 9 cities of the world to Ahmedabad through its Dubai hub by March next year.

According to Vishwanath Reddi, regional manager(Sales) Gujarat, Emirates will launch flights between Dubai St Petersburg (November 01), Baghdad (November 13), Rio De Janeiro (January 3, 2012), Buenos Aires (January 3, 2012), Dublin (January 9, 2012), Lusaka (February 1, 2012), Harare (February 1, 2012), Dallas (February 2, 2012) and Seattle (March 1, 2012).

Two routes that are under focus with respect to the India market are Dallas (2nd February 2012) and Seattle (1st March 2012).

Shri Reddi said that Emirates enjoys about 80% load factor in western India operations.

In reply to question he said about 75% passengers who board Emirates from Ahmedabad use Dubai as hub and travel further mainly to US and Europe.

Whey asked why Emirates does not connect popular destinations in US for Gujarati people like NJ and Chicago, Shri Reddi said that Emirates keeps launching flights to newer destinations at regular intervals and it is all possible that in future NJ and Chicago could also be connected through Dubai hub.

It should be mentioned that at present only Air India connects NJ and Chicago through Delhi hub. Emirates presently connects New York, San Fransisco, Houston, Los Angeles and Toronto in north America. Air India’s monopoly in connecting Ahmedabad with Chicago and NJ makes it no.1 international airliner operating from Ahmedabad airport in traffic figures. Suppose if Emirates starts services to these destinations, there’s no doubt that it can emerge as no. 1 traffic getter at Ahmedabad international terminal.

Reddi said that Emirates Dubai-New York plane Airbus A380 is very popular among Gujarati travelers. Most Gujaratis on route to New York prefer this double decker luxurious plane.

He said Emirates has introduced Gujarati and Jain vegetarian menu in flights to and from Ahmedabad.

When asked to comment on competition from low budget airlines like Air Arabia and Fly Dubai, Reddi said that budget airlines have some shortcomings that continue to give good traffic to full-service airline.