Emirates to start Senegal flights

Emirates will begin operations to Dakar, the capital city of Senegal, starting from September 1 this year, the carrier said yesterday in a statement.

The route would be the airline's 106th international destination from Dubai. Emirates will operate non-stop flights to Dakar five times a week, using Airbus A340-300 aircraft on the route. The launch of services to the West African nation closely follows Emirates' new route announcements to Tokyo, Amsterdam, Prague and Madrid, also launching in 2010.

Dakar is the airline's third African destination in less than 12 months, after Durban and Luanda joined the network in late 2009, it said.

Dubai's non-oil trade with Senegal has increased 28 per cent year on year – from $61.9 million (Dh227.25m) in 2005 to $130.2m in 2008, Emirates said.

The news comes shortly after the Emirates Group announced a joint agreement with the Government of Senegal in November 2009 to assist in the start up and long-term future of Senegal Airlines.

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