Emirates embarks on major expansion in India

Dubai: Emirates will be adding 31 weekly flights to its existing service in India between now and February 2009. The carrier has embarked on its second major expansion campaign for India in 2008, and the enhanced capacity will reaffirm Emirates' status as the single largest international carrier in the Indian skies, operating 163 weekly flights to 10 gateways.

The expansion will be implemented in a phased manner and key cities - Mumbai and New Delhi - will be the main beneficiaries. Important commercial hubs including Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Kochi will also be served with additional frequencies.

Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, West Asia, Indian Ocean and Africa noted: "Owing to the liberalisation of the Indian skies and growing demand for air travel, Emirates is extending its presence in India. Our winter expansion - the single largest growth in our operations - closely follows the extension of services in the summer of this year, and represents our commitment to the market and our confidence in its potential.''

"The additional frequencies have been timed to offer passengers more consistent schedules and seamless connections to onward points in Europe, the Americas, Africa and the Middle East.''