Emirates to connect Madina, Baghdad

Dubai-based Emirates Airlines will commence new services to destinations including Madina, Baghdad, Madrid and Prague this year. While services to Madina and Baghdad will be operational in July, those to the other destinations will begin by September, according to Orhan Abbas, vice president, Emirates Airlines (India & Nepal).

Abbas said the company had no plans to add more destinations in India as of now. It operates 184 weekly flights from ten Indian cities including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode.

Addressing a press conference here, he said the airline had ordered 32 A380 aircraft at a cost of $11.5 billion. Currently, Emirates has 10 such aircraft in its fleet and the new ones are expected to join by October 2016.

The airline has announced a host of special offers, including a revamped 'Kids Go Free' offer which allows two children under the age of 16 to fly to Dubai free of cost with two adults. This offer is valid until September 30. He said Indian passengers could now apply for UAE visa online and fly to Dubai. The company also offered a return economy class fare from to Dubai of Rs 16,990 valid till June 18.