Emirates to add A380 to Mauritius route

Emirates will launch a daily Airbus A380 service between Dubai and Mauritius from December, it was announced today.

From December 16, the aircraft will operate as flight EK701 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays and EK3701 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, departing from Dubai International Airport at 03.10 hours and arriving in Mauritius at 0940.

Return flight EK702 and EK3702 will depart Mauritius' Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport at 1820 hours and arrive in Dubai at 0110 the next day.

The A380 service will replace one of the existing three class Boeing 777-300 services the airline currently operates to Mauritius, meaning there will be an additional 153 seats on the route each day across first, business and economy.

The news comes four months after Emirates operated a one-off A380 flight to Mauritius to celebrate the island's 45 years of independence.

Thierry Antinori, Emirates' executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said: "Having brought our flagship A380 aircraft to this beautiful island for the first time in March, we could see how much appeal the aircraft had for our customers on the route.

"A first amongst the Indian Ocean Islands, it is a matter of great pride to be able to offer this service on a daily basis from December this year."

Emirates currently has the world's largest fleet of A380s, with 35 of the superjumbos.

emirates.com

Graham Smith

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