Emirates steps up frequency to Sudan

Dubai-based carrier, Emirates, has bolstered its African footprint by introducing daily flights to Sudan. Earlier this month, the world’s fastest growing inter-continental airline accelerated its presence in Khartoum by introducing an additional flight every Sunday, bringing its six-times-a-week service to a daily operation.

Operated with the modern, wide-body and twin-aisle A330-200 aircraft, the extra flight will provide 12 First, 42 Business and 183 Economy class seats alongside 17 tonnes of cargo-carrying capacity. The new frequency will increase Emirates’ Sudan offering to over 1,600 passenger seats and almost 120 tonnes of cargo capacity per week, per direction.

The added capacity will provide impetus to the import of foodstuffs, manufactured goods, transport equipment, chemicals and textiles from the U.A.E, Sudan’s third largest import partner after China and Saudi Arabia, accounting for approximately six percent of the country’s total imports.

Movement of export goods from Sudan to China stand to benefit owing to Emirates robust coverage of 17 weekly flights and 10 freighter services to Hong Kong; daily flights and six dedicated freighter operations to Shanghai; and daily services to Beijing.

Nasser bin Kherbash, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Africa noted: “Customer demand for our services to Sudan has been steadily building up and we are very pleased to offer an additional weekly service. This not only brings in greater seat capacity on the route but also gives our passengers more flexibility in planning their journeys.”

EK 733 will take off from Dubai at 15:00 hours and touch down at Khartoum International Airport the same day at 18:25 hours. Return flight EK 734 will depart the Sudanese capital at 20:05 hours and arrive in Dubai the following morning at 00:45 hours, connecting seamlessly to Emirates’ onwards points in Europe and Far East.

In recent months, Emirates has reinforced its presence in Africa with increased flights to Egypt, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and the start of operations to Tunisia, adding an approximate 10 percent capacity over a four-month period.

Dubai's non-oil trade with Africa exceeds U$27 million, and is expected to reach new heights as more and more African nations adopt free trade policies. With 90 flights per week to 14 African points, Emirates is well placed to facilitate the growing trade and commerce between the U.A.E and Africa.