UAE carrier Emirates has added other destinations in Africa and Asia to its ever-expanding list of destinations. The airline is keen to restore its network following a total shutdown in late March. Indeed, it is eyeing serving 100% of its pre-crisis network by next summer.
Around the world, the global aviation recovery continues. While some figures suggest a full recovery has occurred for China’s domestic aviation industry, globally, things are set to take a lot longer. Indeed, IATA estimates that 2019 passenger levels will not return until at least 2024 as things stand, if not longer.
33% increase in African destinations
Emirates is set to increase its number of African destinations on offer by a third in early September. The airline yesterday revealed that flights to Conakry in Guinea and Dakar in Senegal would resume from September 3rd.
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These flights are set to operate twice a week, subject to government approval. Should they receive that approval, the two flights will be linked services. They will be performed by one of Emirates’ Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. With the addition of the services, Emirates’ African destinations will increase from 6 to 8.
Returning to Bangkok
Earlier today, Emirates added another destination to its ever-expanding route network. This time, however, the route is not subject to government approval, unlike the African routes.
From September 1st, the United Arab Emirates airline will resume flights to Thailand’s capital city. The flights will operate daily. Again, Emirates will be utilizing the Boeing 777-300ER. The airline has been saving its Airbus A380s for its most in-demand routes. This saw it operating a one-off flight to the Philippines with the type. However, it also meant that the aircraft was removed from its Amsterdam route after just two weeks.
The rotation to Bangkok takes over 24 hours due to extended time on the ground in the Thai capital. As such, Emirates will require two aircraft to operate daily flights.
Daily Dublin flights?
Emirates is currently serving Dublin with a frequency of four times per week. However, it looks as though the Dubai carrier is keen on upping this figure. The Irish Times reports the airline’s Ireland manager, Enda Corneille, as saying that by the end of the year, the service will be daily once more.
Before the pandemic, Emirates’ Dublin route was popular with connecting travelers going on to destinations such as Bangkok, Hong Kong, Australia, and New Zealand. However, all are currently closed to tourists, meaning that the pool of passengers eyeing the flights is smaller than would be liked. Corneille commented that passenger numbers in addition to cargo figures on the route are substantial.
Where would you like to see Emirates resume services? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!