Emirates to fly to Kozhikode from July 1

Dubai, Apr 25 (UNI) Dubai's Emirates Airline is to launch its six-flights-a-week service to Kozhikode, Kerala from July 1.

Kozhikode will be Emirates' third gateway to Kerala after Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram and its 10th in India. The launch bears testimony of the airline's long-standing commitment to this market and its robust expansion drive, Emirates said.

Salem Obaidalla, Senior Vice President Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean said, ''We are gearing up for the launch of our services to Kozhikode in the summer of this year. In Kozhikode we will establish a town office, an airport office as well as a separate cargo office to manage the city's passenger and cargo requirements.'' ''An estimated two million Keralites work and live in the Gulf region. Emirates has a robust presence in the West Asia, serving the region with 163 weekly flights to 12 gateways via its Dubai hub.

The start of services to Kozhikode will enable Emirates to serve Kerala with an additional gateway and enhance connectivity between the state and the West Asia.

On the route, Emirates will operate the technologically-advanced Boeing 777-200 and Airbus A330-200 aircraft in two-class configurations offering over 2000 seats and almost 100 tonnes of cargo capacity per week per direction.

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