Emirates to introduce first class on Kolkata flights

Emirates Airline Monday said it would provide a first class section on its morning flights from Kolkata.

It would also increase the weekly flights to 13 by late March.

"The (capacity in the) initial flights (have) 27 seats in business class and 251 in economy and now it is going to be 12 in first-class, 42 in business and 220 in economy," the carrier's vice president for India and Nepal, Essa Sulaiman Ahmad, told mediapersons here.

However, the first class lounge and chauffeur service for passengers will not be available for the flights originating from the city.

A new Boeing B-777 will be introduced to existing 12 for the summer schedule beginning March 29.

Now, total seats in each morning flight will decrease by four. The seating capacity is presently 278.

The third largest international carrier operating in India said it wants to increase the number of first and business class passengers on its out-bound flights from India.

"The demand out of Kolkata for the business-class is very healthy," Ahmad said.

The Airbus A-380 service, however, will not be introduced in Kolkata as the airport is unable to meet the aircraft's requirements.

The company said its total Indian air traffic in 2013-14 stood at 4.86 million and it is likely to increase although it did not provide any predicted growth rate.

Mumbai accounts for the majority of its traffic comprising of 20 percent followed by Delhi at 15 percent and Chennai at 12 percent.

It has placed an order of 150 Boeing B-777X worth $76 billion at the 2013 Dubai Air Show.

-- Indo-Asian News Service

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