Emirates has announced the addition of Madagascar to its network. Flights begin in September this year.
Starting 3rd September 2024, Emirates will operate 4-flights-a-week between Dubai International Airport and Antananarivo’s Ivaton International Airport via Seychelles International Airport.
The flights on Dubai-Seychelles-Antananarivo-Seychelles-Dubai operate with the following schedule:
- Dubai-Seychelles
- Departure time: 08:55
- Arrival time: 13:35
- Flight time: 4 hours and 40 minutes
- Flight number: EK707
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Seychelles-Antananarivo
- Departure time: 15:05
- Arrival time: 16:50
- Flight time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Flight number: EK707
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Antananarivo-Seychelles
- Departure time: 18:35
- Arrival time: 22:20
- Flight time: 2 hours and 45 minutes
- Flight number: EK708
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
- Seychelles-Dubai
- Departure time: 23:50
- Arrival time: 04:20 (the next day)
- Flight time: 4 hours and 30 minutes
- Flight number: EK708
- Frequency: Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays
These flights will be operated by Emirates’ Boeing B777-300ER featuring 8 First Class suites, 42 lie-flat Business Class seats and 310 standard Economy Class seats.
Madagascar has historically been underserved, despite growing appetite from travellers for authentic ecotourism experiences. Emirates understands the importance of offering customers efficient connectivity and premium travel experiences and we’re confident that this new service will have a positive impact on boosting Madagascar’s connectivity, offering more opportunities for travellers to discover the hidden gem that is Madagascar, in addition to opening new international business opportunities.
The Malagasy’s government is spearheading efforts to grow its tourism sector by enticing more tourists to experience the island’s renowned biodiversity and natural attractions. Emirates is ready to support Madagascar’s tourism agenda by helping bring visitors from around its network. We thank the Malagasy’s government for their partnership and support in establishing this route and we look forward to welcoming passengers onboard soon.
Adnan Kazim, Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, Emirates said.
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Tourism is a key pillar in Madagascar’s economy, contributing to the creation of thousands of employment opportunities that support the country’s goal to serve one million tourists by 2028. Emirates’ new route will provide connectivity from over 140 points in its global network, supporting the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy to diversify target markets and introduce international travellers to the island’s many natural attractions. Emirates is also in discussion with Air Madagascar to offer further global connectivity to promote tourism and trade.
Madagascar is the world’s fourth largest island, boasting stunning scenery from white sandy beaches and emerald waters, to lush rainforests and national parks and the fossilized shells on limestone plateaus. Colloquially referred to as Treasure Island, it is home to three World Heritage UNESCO sites.
Adventurers can partake in a number of exciting activities, such as hiking, trekking or quad biking, or take to the seas with kite surfing, scuba diving or whale watching. Animal lovers can visit Lemur’s Park and discover nine types of lemurs, along with other wildlife and fauna, while food aficionados can sample the traditional cuisine and delicious local produce.
Madagascar is also home to a wealth of precious biodiversity, with 5% of the planet’s plant and animal species found only on the island. To protect the intricacies of the natural world, Madagascar encourages ecotourism, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in the abundance of nature and embrace the local culture while respecting the environment.
The UAE and Madagascar have grown their bilateral relationship across a number of sectors, including commercial, logistics and other industries to reinforce the growth of mutual trade. With the launch of the passenger flight, the airline’s cargo arm, Emirates SkyCargo, will support this by exporting goods via its state-of-the-art hub in Dubai, into key markets such as the UAE, China, Indonesia, the United States and France, among others.
Fuelled by the country’s entrepreneurial spirit, more Malagasy businesses are targeting global audiences. Offering 22 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity in and out of Antananarivo every week, Emirates SkyCargo will uplift key commodities such as fresh fruits and vegetables, vanilla, textiles and mining products.
Featured image by Emirates
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