Kiev: Emirates marked its entry into Ukraine on Thursday as it launched a daily service to Kiev. With this the airline expects to add between 130,000 to 150,000 additional passengers, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori told media at the launch press conference held at Fairmont Grand Hotel in Kiev.

“The daily air link will further stimulate growing business and tourism opportunities between Kiev and Dubai,” Antinori said.

The value of trade between the two countries saw a 27 per cent rise in the first half of 2013 to $429 million (Dh1.6 billion).

Antinori said the airline expects a 70-80 per cent occupancy “but our focus is 100 per cent customer satisfaction”.

He said the airline will not focus on a “price war” and rather offer its customers a world-class experience and a strong network.

“We are the only airline on the route with a wide body aircraft and will offer the best value for money to first , business and economy class passengers.”

The wide-body allows the aircraft to carry 15 tonnes of cargo hold on every flight to boost vital trade, transporting steel, heavy machinery and aircraft components from Ukraine.

“Cargo holds 17 per cent to 18 per cent share in our revenue and we are expecting a similar share on this route too,” Hiran Perera, Senior Vice President Cargo Planning and Freighters, Emirates Sky Cargo, told Gulf News.

Potential

Ukraine is world’s largest exporter of sunflower oil, a major producer of sugar and grains while the major items it imports from the UAE are vehicles, textiles, medicines, tea, dates and perfumes.

Welcoming the launch, Aleksef Kochanov, Director General Boryspil International Airport said: “The presence of Emirates also shows the large potential of Ukraine in terms of business, economy and passengers and will boost development of business. The new flight to Dubai will help people from here to get to numerous destinations in the Middle East, Asia and other parts of the world. We are proud that our airport is chosen by Emirates.”

The EK171 inaugural flight took off from the Dubai International Airport at 5.10pm with a VIP delegation comprising of senior representatives from Emirates, Ukranian Embassy, Consulate of Ukraine, government officials and corporates who were welcomed by a senior delegation from the Ukraine at the Kyiv Boryspil International Airport on arrival.

 

Shveta Pathak is a Staff Reporter with XPRESS