Emirates' new South Africa link opens

Dubai: Emirates recently conducted its maiden flight to South Africa's port city of Durban. A high level delegation headed by Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri, Minister of Economy, was aboard the flight.

Among those joining the inaugural flight were Saif Salem Al Humrani of the UAE Ministry of Economy; Mohammad Mahgoub, Director, Administrative Affairs, Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry; Yaser Sharaf, Managing Director, Sharaf DG; Michael Mabuyakhulu, Member of Kwa Zulu Natal's Executive Council for Economic Development and Tourism; Nigel Page, Emirates Senior Vice-President, Commercial Operations, Americas and Africa; Ahmad Khoury, the airline's Senior Vice-President, GCC, Middle East and Iran and Peter Sedgley, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Cargo Commercial Operations.

"This is an important development for Dubai, for Emirates airline and for the UAE as a whole. South Africa is an important trading partner for the UAE and to have another gateway into the country will further strengthen our trading relationship and provide a new channel for growth. I am sure it will also be very much appreciated by the South Africans who live and work in Dubai," said Al Mansouri.

Sibusiso Ndebele, South Africa's Transport Minister, said: "The people of Kwa Zulu Natal are now able to reach more than 100 global destinations, and similarly more than 100 points of the globe are now able to reach the wonderful city of Durban."

The value of trade between the UAE and South Africa is about Dh7 billion per annum.