Emirates will restore its flight schedule between Dubai and India to full capacity from April 1.
The Dubai airline said on Friday that it plans to “reintroduce pre-pandemic flight frequencies” to all destinations in India on its network from next month.
The announcement comes as India gets ready to resume international flights from March 27, for the first time in nearly two years.
With Emirates' capacity to India back to what it was before the Covid-19 pandemic, the airline will be flying travellers to nine cities across the country, including Mumbai, New Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai.
The airline will operate 170 flights between Dubai and India every week, with the Mumbai route receiving the most frequent service, with 35 weekly flights. Emirates will operate its A380 superjumbo daily on this route, servicing flight numbers EK500 and EK501.
Where in India is Emirates flying to?
- Mumbai — 35 weekly flights
- New Delhi — 28 weekly flights
- Bengaluru — 24 weekly flights
- Chennai — 21 weekly flights
- Hyderabad — 21 weekly flights
- Kochi — 14 weekly flights
- Kolkata — 11 weekly flights
- Ahmedabad — nine weekly flights
- Thiruvananthapuram — seven weekly flights
Passengers flying with Emirates in first or business class from Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai and New Delhi can take advantage of a complimentary chauffer service to the airport, and on arrival at select locations.
Travel between Dubai and India had continued during the pandemic to a degree, after the two countries agreed ‘air bubble’ plans.
Flights operated to several cities in India from Dubai and Abu Dhabi, but restricted schedules and seat capacities meant that airfares to most destinations increased.
Prices are expected to drop as more capacity becomes available, Mamoun Hmedan, chief commercial officer and managing director at Wego told The National.
News of India's reopening has already led to a surge in flight searches, said travel company Skyscanner.
Travel to India - in pictures
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India lifted a ban on international flights on March 27. AFP -
The end of the flight ban will also terminate air bubbles between India, the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia and several other destinations. Reuters -
Passengers arrive at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in western India. AFP -
Travellers arriving in India will undergo thermal temperature scans at airports. AFP -
International travellers are able to fly to India on regular flights for the first time in nearly two years. Reuters -
Children under 5 are exempt from testing and vaccination requirements when flying to India. AFP
