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New Congolese carrier to start Dubai flights

Dubai, February 6, 2014

The new Congolese national carrier, Equatorial Congo Airlines (ECAir), announced its first Middle East operation with a maiden flight from capital Brazzaville to Dubai International Airport.

ECAir flight LC061 took off from Maya-Maya Airport in Brazzaville, Congo, and will land at Dubai International yesterday at 10.45pm carrying officials from the Republic of Congo and ECAir delegations including members of the media.

The African flight was greeted with the traditional water cannon salute at Dubai International.

The delegation, comprising Congo’s Minister of Transport and Maritime Gilbert Mokoki, Mayor of Brazzaville Hugues Ngouelondele along with EC Air chairman Jean Louis Osso and director general Fatima Beyina-Moussa, was then welcomed by Mohammed A. Ahli, the director general of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA).

The maiden EC Air flight marked the commencement of a three times a week service between Dubai International Airport and Brazzaville, Congo (BZV), said its chairman Osso.

The carrier will operate a Boeing 757 aircraft configured with 16 business class and 132 economy class seats, for the first commercial flight starting on March 31, he added.

"This is a historic event for ECAir because it will strengthen our Middle East network through one of the most important hubs in the world. This flight is the first direct connection from Congo to the UAE. The Middle East particularly Dubai is one of the most preferred destinations of travelers from Central Africa because it has so much to offer to both leisure and business travellers," remarked Osso.

By opening this direct flight from Brazzaville, with direct connections to Pointe Noire and regional African destinations our customers will arrive in Dubai ready to enjoy their holidays or continue on to many other exciting destinations, he added.

ECAir will fly on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays departing Brazzaville, Congo at 3.05pm and arriving in Dubai at 1.40am the next day. All flights have direct connections to Pointe Noire. On return, the flights leave Dubai on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 3.05am and arrive in Brazzaville, Congo at 7.45am.

Helen Woodrow, the VP of Forecasting & Research at Dubai Airports said, "Africa is a fast growing market with huge potential and we are happy to welcome ECAir as an important link between the Republic of Congo and Dubai one that is sure to further boost tourism, trade and commerce between both markets."

Dubai International, she said, offers connectivity to more than 284 destinations across six continents through more than 125 airlines and this will translate into great benefits for travellers from Africa.-TradeArabia News Service




Tags: Dubai | tourists | Congo |

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