Emirates’ India-expansion programme gets a boost

Close on the heels of its recently launched eight-flights-a-week service to Indian IT hub Bangalore, Emirates Airline inaugurated its brand new 5000-square-feet Bangalore office, signifying yet another step in the airline’s India expansion programme.

The new office, Emirates’ fifth such in the booming South Indian region, adds to the airline’s tally of 19 offices across India.

Providing the ultimate pre-flight experience, the spectacular flagship outlet introduces a one-stop Travel Shop addressing the needs of Emirates’ business and leisure travellers, premium passengers, frequent-flyer members and potential holiday-makers.

Top-officials from the airline’s Dubai headquarters - Ghaith Al Ghaith, Executive Vice President Commercial Operations Worldwide and Nabil Sultan, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations West Asia and Indian Ocean - were visiting the Garden City to celebrate Emirates’ recently introduced non-stop service between Dubai and Bangalore. Emirates also hosted a stunning gala event for the city’s leading corporates, travel agents and glitterati.

Al Ghaith noted: “Emirates is delighted to open its new ultra-modern and stylish office which provides Bangalorean travellers with top-notch on-ground assistance. Customers can plan and book their entire travel arrangements in relaxed surroundings guided by knowledgeable travel experts.”

“In launching the Travel Shop, Emirates is both underlining its current expansion strategy and further strengthening its position in the travel services sector.”

He added: “Emirates’ rapidly-expanding presence in India this year, demonstrated by the launch of services to Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, Bangalore, and capacity enhancements to Cochin, Chennai and Delhi, comes at an opportune time as India seeks to enhance its links with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) to attract more Arab investment.”

As India’s infrastructure needs escalate to US$ 400 billion for the next five years, the country touted to be one of the world’s rising economic powers, aims to conclude a free trade agreement with the GCC by end 2007. Real estate developer Emaar has already invested US$ 600 million in its Indian projects, fuelling the country’s expectations to secure additional US$ 2 billion investments from the GCC in the next three years.

“Emirates' robust Middle East presence will tremendously benefit India as it gets connected, via Dubai, to 12 key gateways in the region through 160 weekly flights. In addition, movement of goods will be facilitated by Emirates SkyCargo’s innovative products and services, superior ground handling facilities, and wide-bodied aircraft offering 105 tonnes of cargo capacity per week,” noted Al Ghaith.

Situated at Vittal Mallya Road, a prime location, the Travel Shop offers several ticketing and reservation counters for general enquiries, and dedicated counters for premium passengers, Emirates Holidays’ customers and travel agents.

While waiting in the comfortable lounge area, which can accommodate over 20 persons, customers can update themselves with the airline’s latest product information and destinations briefs.