Emirates begins flights to Mauritius

Emirates' inaugural flight to Mauritius arrived yesterday at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport with an official delegation led by Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates.

The delegation, which included senior Emirates management and a group of journalists, was welcomed by P.R. Bérenger, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; and the S. Soodhun, Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations and Responsible for Haj Matters.

"We are very pleased that Mauritius is joining Emirates' network as our 60th destination. We thank the Mauritian Government for granting us the rights to operate these flights," said Sheikh Ahmed.

"We believe our new service will help to strengthen the already warm relationship between the UAE and Mauritius.

"It will also be an opportunity to serve Mauritius by promoting its tourism industry and by providing air links to more markets for your business community," said Sheikh Ahmed.

"Whenever Emirates starts new operations, it strongly markets the destination across our network around the world."

Emirates flies three times a week, non-stop to Mauritius, operating an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a two-cabin configuration, with 34 Business and 251 Economy Class seats.

Mauritius has developed a sophisticated tourism industry catering to the discerning traveller, while also ensuring the island offers facilities essential for family holiday enjoyment.

Emirates Holidays has introduced holiday packages to Mauritius in its latest World of Choice brochure, featuring over 20 hotels and apartments, all of which are situated along the coast.

Emirates SkyCargo is poised to meet the requirements of the Mauritian garment industry, which exports readymade garments and textiles from the island to Europe and the U.S. Imports are expected to centre on machinery and spares associated with the industry, in addition to products for the tourism industry.

Flight EK701 departs Dubai every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 2.30 am, arriving in Mauritius at 9 am. Flight EK702 returns on the same days, taking off from Mauritius at 11.30 pm and touching down in Dubai the next morning at 6 am.

Mauritius is the 60th destination on the Emirates network, which covers 42 countries on four continents.

The network will be further expanded on October 1, when the airline starts non-stop services to the Japanese city of Osaka.

Emirates is planning to start operations to North America next year, with the delivery of the long-range Airbus A340-500 aircraft.