Emirates poised to launch Durban flights in Oct

DURBAN LAUNCH: Emirates on Wednesday announced that flights would start from Dubai to Durban on Oct 1. (Getty Images)

Emirates Airline announced on Wednesday it was launching flights to Durban, South Africa from Oct. 1 this year.

The daily service will provide the only direct air link between Dubai and Durban, one of South Africa's host cities for the World Cup in 2010.

Emirates, an official partner of the football tournament, already flies to Cape Town and Johannesburg.

Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' senior vice president, Africa, West Asia & Indian Ocean, said: "With 2010 just around the corner, this is a great time to be adding routes in South Africa.

"The third gateway will bring benefits to our passengers and KwaZulu-Natal province well before, during and long after the FIFA World Cup, so a good result for South Africa and its increasing ties with Dubai and the Emirates network beyond."

Dubai Export Development Corporation figures show exports from the UAE to South Africa reached AED2.3 billion in 2007, while exports from South Africa to the UAE reached almost AED2.7 billion in the same period.

Emirates SkyCargo will support this trade and plans to set up an office in Durban. The airline's freight arm will offer up to 13 tonnes of cargo capacity on each flight.

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