Features

Emirates and India

29 Jul 2016 by Akanksha Maker

Emirates, the largest airline of the Middle East, launched flights to India in 1985.

Beginning with just two aircraft, it today operates 185 flights per week serving 10 destinations across India. These are: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru,Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.

Emirates’ Indian network carried 4.86 million passengers in 2013/14. The airline completed 30 years of its operation in India last year and is now the third-largest international carrier serving the nation.

As per a study by the National Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER), Emirates is operating 10.4 per cent of its international capacity in the Indian market and contributes to $848 million annually to the country’s GDP. The current bilateral agreement with India restricts the flight capacity of the airline to 54,200 seats per week.

Emirates A380-800 Business Class interior

The airline deploys a daily Airbus A380 service to Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport along with its A330-200, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 777-300 and Boeing 777-200 across other destinations.

The offerings onboard Emirates:

First class

Their first class onboard the A380 and A340-500 aircraft, and on most Boeing 777 includes a a private suite, personal mini-bar with a seat that converts into a flat bed with mattress, shower spa, fine-dining experience, Bvlgari toiletries and Timeless spa amenities. Complimentary cocktails, champagne, beers, spirits, and hot and cold drinks are served on board. The first class passengers can also avail complimentary chauffeur-drive service to and from the airport.

Business class

The business class onboard all A380 and most Boeing 777 aircraft includes flat-bed seats and Bvlgari amenity kits. Complimentary cocktails, champagne, beers, spirits, and hot and cold drinks are served in-flight. The A380 experience further entails Dine from Royal Doulton with bone china plates and exclusive Robert Welch cutlery. TV Live is also offered on select aircraft. Complimentary chauffeur-drive service is offered to business class passengers.

Economy Class

Passengers can enjoy up to 2,000 channels, wifi, mobile phone and data roaming services on select aircraft. Complimentary beers, spirits, and hot and cold beverages are served onboard.

With 21.5 lakh passengers flying between Mumbai and Dubai in 2015, the international city pair was India’s busiest, according to Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s data.

Along with Emirates, Jet-Etihad, AI-AI Express, Air Arabia, Flydubai, IndiGo and SpiceJet were primarily the carriers responsible for these numbers. Dubai is seeking further approvals to expand air traffic to India and wants to fly 50,000 additional passengers per week — this will only mean even more good news for Emirates and the other airlines flying to the Gulf.

emirates.com

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