Emirates broadens African network with Lusaka, Harare launch
Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, has extended its networks into Africa with the launch of new services to Lusaka and Harare.
Now flying to 22 points within Africa, Emirates will connect Zambia and Zimbabwe to key markets across Europe, the Far East, Australia, Asia and the Indian sub-continent.
The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service operates with an A330-200 aircraft in a three class configuration.
“Zambia and Zimbabwe are both important emerging business and industrial centres, with economies that are projected to grow by over five per cent annually during the coming years.
“Emirates’ new service will play a significant role in supporting this growth by connecting Lusaka and Harare to our worldwide network, opening new conduits for trade, investment and tourism,” Nabil Sultan, divisional senior vice president Revenue Optimisation and Distribution, said. Given Lubinda, Zambian minister of Foreign Affairs, noted that Emirates’ decision to operate to Lusaka represents new economic doors being opened to our country.
“The fact that this airline, which is successful on all continents, is entering markets like ours as part of its expansion plans is clear evidence of excellent future prospects for Zambia and Zambians,”
Emirates services to Lusaka will be a huge boost to its tourism industry, helping to support the Zambian Tourism Board’s target for increasing visitor arrivals by 22.5 percent to one million visitors in 2012.
It is expected that Emirates’ services to Harare will support the Tourism Ministry’s projections that the sector will contribute over US$5 billion to the Zimbabwean economy by 2015. To support the linked service, Emirates will promote Zambia and Zimbabwe’s tourism attractions, including Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, game reserves and safaris, in advertising campaigns executed across the airline’s global network.
Emirates Holidays will also feature eight pages on Zimbabwe and Zambia in its 2012 World of Choice brochure. With a fleet of 169 aircraft, Emirates is the world’s largest Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator. The airline placed an order for 50 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November, bringing its total order book to 236 aircraft, worth over US$84 billion at list prices.
Following the launch of Lusaka and Harare, Emirates started services to Dallas, Texas February 2 and Seattle on March 1, Ho Chi Minh City on June 4 and Barcelona on July 3.
