Dubai airline Emirates plans to go bigger and more modern June 1.
|||Dubai airline Emirates plans to increase capacity on its Durban route from June 1, with a bigger and more modern 354-seat Boeing 777-300ER.
Emirates said on Monday capacity would be increased by almost 30 percent.
Emirates carried more than 165 000 passengers between Durban and Dubai last year with an average seat occupancy of 83 percent.
The growth was attributed to the “growing recognition of Durban as a popular tourist destination and its increasing influence as one of the key trading hubs in South Africa”, according to Jean Luc Grillet, Emirates senior vice-president for commercial operations in Africa.
The Boeing 777-300ER will offer higher standards of passenger comfort, with eight luxurious private suites in first class, a better business class with 42 lie-flat bed seats, and 304 economy class seats.
KZN Tourism MEC, Michael Mabuyakhulu said: “We are chuffed at Emirates’ announcement, especially because it comes at a time when the world economy is in a bit of a financial tailspin.” - The Mercury