By Tichaona Sibanda
Emirates airline announced this week it will launch a new destination to Harare, via Lusaka, Zambia, beginning February 2012. Harare will be the 21st destination in Africa that Emirates has introduced recently to its African route network, following the launch of services to countries to other parts of the continent.
A statement released on Wednesday by Emirates Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, said starting 1st February the airline will operate five weekly flights from Dubai to Harare.
‘Emirates has long understood the enormous potential of Africa, which today is one of the fastest-expanding economic regions of the world, benefitting from a combined market of over one billion people, rising consumer demand and an abundance of natural resources,’ the sheikh said.
The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service will be operated by an A330-200 aircraft offering First, Business and Economy seating. David Chawota, Chief Executive Officer for the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe said the route will provide a welcome boost for leisure and business in Zimbabwe, from a number of markets in the Middle East
A number of leading businessmen in Dubai have in the past years invested heavily in Zimbabwe, despite the country’s ongoing political uncertainty. Most have invested in the mining and tourism industry. There is also a lot of freight that has found its way to Zimbabwe from Dubai, including military hardware.
State-owned company Dubai World also plans to invest in a wildlife game reserve in Zimbabwe as part of plans to boost its investments in Africa. SW Radio Africa
