AFRICA'S international links are to receive a significant lift with news that Emirates is to start flights to Angola, its 17th African destination.
The Dubai - Luanda service, which begins August 2, will operate three times a week - on a Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday.
This is the second new route into Africa to be announced by Emirates this year. Flights to
Durban in South Africa start October 1.
An Airbus A330-200 will serve the route, which will help support the nation's oil led boom, the emerging tourism market and the thousands of migrant workers, many of whom are from China.
Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline said, "This new Luanda flight provides enormous potential to develop air travel into Angola, alongside the assistance we can provide for international trade through Emirates SkyCargo.”
With four major ports along an expansive coastline, the nation is a natural transshipment point for the region. The country has abundant natural resources including oil, diamonds, gold, iron, copper and uranium.
Emirates SkyCargo will provide up to 12 tonnes of cargo capacity in the bellyhold of each aircraft with imports expected to include consumer goods, electronics, telecommunications products and oil related equipment and spares. Perishables, such as fruit and flowers, are expected to feature amongst exports.
Since establishing itself as an airline in 1985, Dubai based Emirates has rapidly expanded into a major transcontinental travel and tourism conglomerate. The airline now flies to six continents with a fleet of 132 aircraft, including four double-decker A380s.