New flights to Madagascar via Seychelles opening up opportunities for tourism and trade

Emirates Airlines is gearing up to improve connectivity to Madagascar by introducing four weekly flights from Dubai to Antananarivo via the Seychelles, beginning on 3 September 2024. This new air service is designed to leverage the tourism and trade potential of Madagascar.

The flight schedule for this new route is as follows:
– Outbound (EK707): Departs Dubai at 08:55, arrives in Seychelles at 13:35, and continues to Antananarivo, landing at 16:50.
– Return (EK708): Departs Antananarivo at 18:35, arrives in Seychelles at 22:20, and continues to Dubai, landing at 04:20 the next day.
– Operational Days: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday.

This strategic move by Emirates holds significant importance for Madagascar in two key areas:
– Tourism: It supports Madagascar’s objective of attracting one million tourists by 2028, which will greatly benefit the local economy by creating employment opportunities.
– Connectivity: The new flights provide seamless connections from Madagascar to over 140 destinations worldwide, optimizing travel links to Europe, the Far East, West Asia, and the Middle East/GCC.

The aircraft servicing this route will be the Boeing 777-300ER, equipped with 8 First Class suites, 42 Business Class seats, and 310 Economy seats. Passengers can enjoy a premium in-flight experience with multi-course meals, premium beverages, and access to over 6,500 entertainment channels via Emirates’ award-winning ICE system.

In terms of economic impact, Emirates SkyCargo will offer 22 tonnes of belly-hold cargo capacity weekly, facilitating the export of fresh produce, vanilla, textiles, and mining products to global markets such as the UAE, China, Indonesia, the USA, and France.

Key stakeholders have expressed their views on this new route:
– Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and CCO, emphasized the airline’s dedication to efficient connectivity and premium travel experiences, foreseeing a positive influence on Madagascar’s tourism and business sectors.
– H.E Manambahoaka Valéry Ramonjavelo, Madagascar’s Minister of Transport and Meteorology, highlighted the route’s importance in boosting tourism and trade between the UAE and Madagascar, thereby enhancing international connectivity.

Madagascar, renowned as the world’s fourth-largest island, offers a range of attractions, including white sandy beaches, lush rainforests, national parks, and three UNESCO World Heritage sites. The island’s focus on ecotourism presents opportunities for activities like hiking, kite surfing, scuba diving, whale watching, and unique wildlife experiences such as visiting Lemur’s Park.

This new route launch underscores Emirates’ commitment to supporting Madagascar’s tourism strategy, as well as expanding its global network to provide travelers with more options to explore the island’s rich natural and cultural heritage.