EMIRATES made its maiden flight to Harare on Wednesday – beginning its five-day-a-week flight schedule to the Zimbabwean capital from Dubai.
The celebratory flight was greeted with dance and singing at the Harare International Airport.
On the Airbus A330-200 aircraft were dozens of government officials from both Zambia – where the service makes a stop-over – and Zimbabwe.
Superstar Oliver Mtukudzi, jazz singer Dudu Manhenga, crooner Victor Kunonga and members of the Zimbabwe Air Force Traditional Dance Troupe welcome the maiden flight.
Zimbabwean pilot Captain Busiso Ndlovu flew the plane on its final leg from Lusaka, Zambia.
Transport Minister Nicholas Goche, who was on the flight, said: “The arrival of Emirates to Zimbabwe is a very significant development for the market. We welcome the entrance of a truly global airline; with an extensive network, large fleet and great reputation for quality service which will greatly improve choice and connectivity for Zimbabwean travellers.”
After seeing western airlines, including British Airways and Lufthansa, pull out of Harare over the last decade, Goche said Emirates’ decision to begin flights to Harare would bring “greater capacity and fare competitiveness, which will certainly lead to traffic growth to and from Zimbabwe.”
Nabil Sultan, the Divisional Senior Vice President Revenue Optimisation and Distribution for Emirates said: “Zambia and Zimbabwe are both important emerging business and industrial centres, with economies that are projected to grow by over five per cent annually during the coming years.
“Emirates’ new service will play a significant role in supporting this growth by connecting Lusaka and Harare to our worldwide network, opening new conduits for trade, investment and tourism.”
He said Emirates will connect Zambia and Zimbabwe to key markets across Europe, the Far East, Australasia and the Indian Subcontinent.
All out Ministers Mashakada, Mzembi and Goche walk with Emirates' Nabil Sultan
The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service operates every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday using an A330-200 aircraft in a three class configuration.
EK 713 departs Dubai at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1450hrs. The onward connection to Harare departs Lusaka at 1620hrs, reaching the Zimbabwean capital at 1720hrs. The return flight leaves Harare at 1920hrs, arriving Lusaka at 2020hrs. It departs Lusaka at 2150hrs, landing in Dubai at 0710hrs the next day.
Zimbabwe’s Tourism Minister Walter Mzembi, who was at the Harare International Airport alongside Economic Planning and Investment Promotion Minister Tapiwa Mashakada, said they projected that tourism would bring US$5 billion to the economy by 2015.
To support the linked service, Emirates will promote Zambia and Zimbabwe’s tourism attractions, including Victoria Falls, the Zambezi River, game reserves and safaris, in advertising campaigns executed across the airline’s global network.
Emirates Holidays will also feature eight pages on Zimbabwe and Zambia in its 2012 World of Choice brochure.
With a fleet of 169 aircraft, Emirates is the world's largest Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator. The airline placed an order for 50 new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft at the Dubai Airshow in November, bringing its total order book to 236 aircraft, worth over US$84 billion at list prices.