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NT Bureau
Chennai, July 8:
 

        With India and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) getting into high-level talks after the signing of a free trade agreement (FTA), Emirates Airline has unveiled plans to expand its flights and enhance capacity to Chennai, Kochi, Hyderabad, and Mumbai.

        In a major expansion of Chennai operations, Emirates would progressively increase its service from eight to 11 flights per week by 1 August, and propel it further to twice a day service with the introduction of three more flights on 28 October. At the start of the winter season, the airline's operations to Chennai would total 14 weekly flights.

        In South India, Emirates would operate two more weekly flights to Kochi with immediate effect, and introduce a third extra flight from 1 August, taking its overall operations to 10 weekly flights.

        From 28 October, flights links between Dubai and Hyderabad would be boosted with three more frequencies, bringing Emirates' weekly total to 11 flights. On the same day, Emirates would expand its operation to Mumbai from 19-a-week to a triple-daily service with the induction of two flights. The airline would also boost its Mumbai capacity by introducing the wide-bodied Boeing 777 aircraft on the existing schedule.

        In all, Emirates would have ramped up its capacity from the current 71 to 85 passenger flights per week to eight gateways cites in India.

        'One of the fastest growing economy, India is expanding its links with the GCC and forging ahead with multi-billion dollar projects in tourism, commerce and infrastructure. Having fueled strong economic and trade ties between the Middle East and India since the start of its services in 1985, Emirates is well-poised to support India's rapid growth in the 21 st century with its efficient, reliable and increased air links,' said Salem Obaidalla, vice-president, Emirates Airline.

        The additional flights would be operated with Emirates' modern, wide-bodied A-330-200 and Boeing 777 aircraft in two and three class configurations. Flight schedules would have morning arrivals in Dubai so that passengers could have onward journey in any one of the airline's 91- daily flights to gateway cities of the world.

        'Customer demand for our services has been steadily building up and we are almost doubling our Chennai presence by introducing six more flights. With the introduction of the second-daily service to Chennai our schedules will be more consistent and passengers will have better flexibility in planning their journeys,' said Sudhir Sukumaran, sales manager for Tamilnadu, Emirates Airline.