Flights to Durban to start in October

Dubai: Emirates will start flying to the South African coastal city of Durban in October, expecting travel to grow on that route as the country gets ready to host the 2010 Fifa World Cup.

The daily service will provide the only direct air link from Dubai to Durban, one of South Africa's host cities for Fifa-mania next year.

Emirates, an official partner of the 2010 Fifa World Cup, already flies to Cape Town and Johannesburg.

"With 2010 just around the corner, this is a great time to be adding routes in South Africa.

"The third gateway will bring benefits to our passengers and KwaZulu-Natal province well before, during and long after the Fifa World Cup, so a good result for South Africa and its increasing ties with Dubai and the Emirates network beyond," said Salem Obaidullah, Emirates senior vice-president for the Africa, West Asia and Indian Ocean regions.

Flight EK775 will depart Dubai at 4.45am and arrive at Durban International Airport at 11.30am.

The return flight, EK 766, leaves Durban at 1pm and arrive at Dubai at 11.40pm.

A 278-seat Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration will be deployed on the 8 hour 45 minute flight.

Dubai Export Development Corporation figures show exports from the UAE to South Africa reached Dh2.3 billion in 2007, and exports from South Africa to the UAE reached almost Dh2.7 billion in the same period, the airline said in a statement.

"Emirates SkyCargo will support this trade and plans an office in Durban. The airline's freight arm will offer up to 13 tonnes of cargo capacity on each flight," it said.