Emirates to Launch New Route to Madagascar via Seychelles
Emirates has announced the launch of a new route to Madagascar, commencing on 3 September 2024. This new service will operate four times a week, connecting Dubai (DXB) with Antananarivo (TNR) via the Seychelles.
The flights, scheduled for Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays, aim to boost both tourism and trade in Madagascar by providing enhanced connectivity to the island nation.
The flight, EK707, will depart from Dubai at 08:55hrs, arriving in Mahe, Seychelles at 13:35hrs, before continuing to Antananarivo and landing at 16:50hrs. The return flight, EK708, will leave Antananarivo at 18:35hrs, arriving in Mahe at 22:20hrs, and will then depart for Dubai at 23:50hrs, landing at 04:20hrs the next day.
This schedule is designed to offer optimal connections to and from key destinations across Europe, the Far East, West Asia, and the Middle East/GCC.
Passengers will travel aboard the Boeing 777-300ER, which features 8 First Class suites, 42 Business Class suites, and 310 Economy seats. Onboard, travelers can enjoy multi-course meals, a selection of premium beverages, and over 6,500 channels of entertainment on Emirates’ award-winning ice inflight entertainment system.
Madagascar, renowned for its stunning biodiversity and ecotourism opportunities, stands to benefit significantly from this new service. The island, which aims to welcome one million tourists by 2028, will gain increased international exposure and accessibility through Emirates’ extensive global network of over 140 destinations.
Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer, expressed confidence in the positive impact of the new route, highlighting the growing demand for eco-friendly travel experiences.
He stated, “Madagascar has historically been underserved, despite growing appetite from travelers 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.”
H.E Manambahoaka Valéry Ramonjavelo, Madagascar’s Minister of Transports, and Meteorology, praised the new route as a significant step forward for tourism and trade development.
“Our agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Madagascar opens the way to this new Antananarivo-Dubai route and represents a significant step forward for the development of tourism and trade between the two countries,” he said. “This is extremely positive news in more than one way, as it opens a new door between Madagascar and the world, through the Dubai hub.”
Additionally, Emirates is in discussions with Air Madagascar to further enhance global connectivity, promoting tourism and trade even more effectively.
Emirates SkyCargo, the airline’s cargo division, will support this new route by offering 22 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity per flight. This will facilitate the export of key commodities such as fresh produce, vanilla, textiles, and mining products to markets in the UAE, China, Indonesia, the United States, and France.
The increased connectivity is expected to provide significant economic benefits, creating new business opportunities and supporting Madagascar’s entrepreneurial spirit. The collaboration between the UAE and Madagascar across various sectors, including commercial and logistics, aims to reinforce mutual trade growth and development.
Tickets for the new route are available now on the Emirates website and through travel agents. Travelers can look forward to discovering the natural beauty and cultural treasures of Madagascar, while enjoying Emirates’ world-class service and connectivity.
