Emirates expands in South America

Emirates yesterday announced the launch of two new routes to South America — Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro — as part of its efforts to extend its reach across the Americas. The new routes are being serviced by a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that will land at Galeao-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport in Rio de Janeiro before proceeding to Buenos Aires, Emirates said in a statement. In the wings With the new services operational since Tuesday, Emirates' network has risen to 118 destinations in 69 countries. In the next couple of months, the airline said, it is launching five more destinations — Dublin, Lusaka, Harare, Seattle and Dallas. Article continues below "This new linked service to two of the most econ-omically vibrant cities in South America will not only boost trade ties with the UAE, but will also introduce travellers to Emirates' route network spanning points across the globe," Thierry Antinori, Emirates executive vice-president for passenger sales worldwide, said in a statement. He added that Emirates will offer customers in Brazil and Argentina the most efficient and comfortable route to the Middle and Far East, including the airline's four destinations in China and two gateways in Japan, which are "key trading partners" for both countries. "We should expect many future announcements for Emirates America's expansion," said Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at Strategic Aero Research. "Emirates' expansion in North and South America was always on the cards since these regions have limited services from Dubai and the GCC in general," he added. Emirates' new service to Buenos Aires is expected to accelerate trade ties which have grown between the UAE and Argentina in recent years. According to Emirates, despite the challenges of the global economic downturn, the value of goods Argentina exports to the UAE has risen by over 40 per cent since 2006 to $276 million (Dh1.01 billion) in 2010. The carrier added that its operations will inject $8.9 million into Argentina's economy in 2011-12, and that, with a direct air link between the two countries, it expects the growth pattern to continue. With 237 aircraft on order at present worth over $84 billion at list prices, Emirates, which flies to 10 Indian cities over 180 times a week, as well as key Chinese cities, will provide convenient connectivity between Argentina and these markets, "helping to facilitate trade and strengthen ties and investor engagement", the carrier stated. Asia plans: Vietnam link in June Emirates will launch services to Vietnam's commercial capital of Ho Chi Minh City starting June 4, continuing its expansion in South East Asia, the carrier said yesterday in a statement. Home to over seven million people, Ho Chi Minh City will become the airline's 124th destination overall and eighth destination launch this year. It will operate a Boeing 777-300 ER on this route. "Following the signing of the Air Services Memorandum of Understanding between Vietnam and the UAE in April 2011, we have been busy planning this route and it comes at a very exciting time for the airline, as our global network continues to expand," Tim Clark, Emirates president, said in a statement. He added that Emirates will offer tourists and business travellers, particularly from the Middle East, Africa and Europe, a convenient option to access Vietnam.