Emirates to serve Durban from October

Emirates Airlines has said it will start daily services to Durban in South Africa from October 1 as the carrier anticipates travel demand for one of the 2010 Fifa World Cup's host cities.

"With 2010 just around the corner, this is a great time to be adding routes in South Africa,” said Salem Obaidullah, Emirates senior vice-president for the Africa, West Asia and Indian Ocean regions.

"The third gateway will bring benefits to our passengers and KwaZulu-Natal province well before, during and long after the Fifa World Cup, so a good result for South Africa and its increasing ties with Dubai and the Emirates network beyond,” added Obaidullah.

Flights EK775 and 776 will be operated by an Airbus A330-200 in a two-class configuration with 278 seats for what the airline estimates is an 8hr 45min flight.

The Gulf News reported that the Dubai Export Development Corporation figures show exports from the UAE to South Africa reached Dh2.3 billion in 2007, and exports from South Africa to the UAE reached almost Dh2.7 billion in the same period, the airline said in a statement.

"Emirates SkyCargo will support this trade and plans an office in Durban. The airline's freight arm will offer up to 13 tonnes of cargo capacity on each flight," it said.

Emirates will use Airbus A330-200s to serve the route