Emirates adds Capetown to Africa list
Cape Town, March 31, 2008
Emirates achieved a new milestone on Sunday evening as it touched down to the vibrant beats of the African drums at Cape Town – its 100th global destination, and second gateway in South Africa.
Signalling the start of daily, non-stop flights between Dubai, the nerve centre of the Middle East, and Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities, the inaugural flight EK 770 piloted by South African native, Captain Chris Rademan received a traditional water canon salute while onboard passengers were greeted by a pulsating performance by members of the Marimba band.
A high-level Emirates delegation comprising Nabil Sultan, senior vice president commercial operations, Gulf, Middle East and Iran, and Adnan Kazim, senior vice president commercial operations, Africa flew on the first flight accompanied by some 250 passengers hailing from 18 different countries.
The delegation and passengers were welcomed by Lynne Brown, member of the executive council, Western Cape Province; Calvyn Gilfellan, chief executive officer, Cape Town Routes Unlimited, the official tourism destination marketing organisation for Cape Town and the Western Cape; and over 50 representatives from Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) and Emirates South Africa.
EK770 will depart Dubai daily at 08:35 hrs, arriving in Cape Town at 16:25 hrs. Return flight EK771 will take off from Cape Town International Airport at 18:10 hrs and touch down at Dubai International Airport at 05:40 hrs the following day.
“Cape Town represents Emirates’ commitment to the South African market. Our Johannesburg operation has been very successful and we look forward to recreating this success in Cape Town with the support of our partners,” Adnan noted.
Brown said the new flight would give a more direct air access to the Middle East, which was a very significant tourism market and world-wide hub for Cape Town and the Western Cape.
"It is also one of the markets we will focus on in the run-up to the 2010 Fifa World Cup," he observed.
Gilfellan said: “In many aspects the Middle East represents the inbound luxury tourism market for Cape Town and the Western Cape, with travellers often seeking a top-quality tourism experience: leading tourist attractions, spectacular golf courses, five-star hotels, elegant restaurants, and shopping for world-famous brands."
"Cape Town and the Western Cape easily deliver on each of these aspects. We believe this hassle-free, direct flight will definitely add to this luxury tourism experience and encourage more people to visit Cape Town and its surrounds."-TradeArabia News Service