The Hindu Business Line : Emirates plans more flights to India

"The average load factor out of Chennai is 85 per cent and we are seeing a rise in the number of passengers travelling the Chennai-Dubai route," said Mr Sudhir Sukumaran, Sales Manager - Tamil Nadu, Emirates Airline.

The airline had doubled its flights to Chennai in February last year to eight a week and operates one flight a day four days a week (except Tuesdays) and two flights a day on weekends. However, the addition of flights would depend on government permission, said Mr Sukumaran.

Emirates Airline operates 71 flights a week out of eight cities in India — Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Mumbai, New Delhi and Kolkata. Its fleet comprises Boeing 777 and Airbus A330 aircraft. The airline's first A380 aircraft — it has placed orders for 47 — is expected in the third quarter of 2008. But it is uncertain when Emirates would fly an A380 to Indian gateways, Mr Sukumaran said in response to a question. The airline recently embarked on a programme to promote Dubai as a leisure travel destination. Emirates Holidays, the tour operating arm of the airline, has launched a range of customised tours called `Dubai Summer Specials'.

Primarily targeting first-time flyers, a three night-four day twin sharing package starting at Rs 28,900 per person covers Economy Class return airfare, hotel accommodation with breakfast, assistance at Dubai International Airport, transfers between airport and hotel, and all associated taxes and service charges.

Packages are also available on single sharing basis and for family accommodation including sightseeing and shopping trips and can be extended to any number of days.

Besides Dubai, the package can also be extended to 80 other destinations that Emirates Airline flies to, Mr Sukumaran said at a press conference.

Packages can be booked on the Internet and through travel agents. When asked how many such bookings had been done so far, Mr Sukumaran said it was insignificant since the tours were launched only a few weeks ago. "But we have set targets for the same that cannot be disclosed," he said. The summer special tours are valid till October 31.