Emirates has launched three additional flights to Bahrain, reflecting its 2007 Middle East expansion campaign that has thus far implemented capacity enhancements to Kuwait, Damascus and Beirut. Leveraging the Open Skies Policy prevalent in Dubai and Bahrain, Emirates has introduced a third daily service every Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, boosting its overall Bahrain operations to 17 flights per week.

The additional frequencies are operated by the technology-advanced A330-200 aircraft in a two-class configuration of 27 Business and 251 Economy Class seats. Capacity improvements on the route amount to over 800 seats and 40-plus tonnes of cargo per week per direction.

Emirates flight EK 835 bound for Bahrain will take off from Dubai at 01:15 hours every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, arriving at its destination at 01:30 hours. Return flight EK 836 will depart Bahrain International Airport at 02:45 hours, arriving in Dubai at 04:55 hours.

Hamad Obaidalla, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations Gulf, Middle East & Iran noted:

‘Emirates’ increasing presence in the Middle East is designed to support the region’s escalating air travel demand. According to IATA, the Middle East remained the fastest growing region in the first four months of 2007, registering a 17.6 percent year-on-year passenger demand increase. Bolstered by rapid economic and tourism development, the region is expected to continue record levels of growth until 2010.’

The Middle East which accounts for close to 18 percent of Emirates’ total passengers and 15 percent of its total revenue for the financial year 2006-07, has experienced an almost nine percent upsurge in capacity since January 2007. Currently, Emirates operates 158 weekly flights to 12 points in the region.

Abbas Haji, Emirates’ Area Manager Bahrain said: ‘The extra flights will enable Emirates to better accommodate our customers’ requirements, and offer more convenient connections. Business and leisure travellers from Bahrain can seamlessly connect to over 40 destinations in Europe, Africa, Far East and Australasia in under three hours via Dubai.’

‘For those who wish to conduct business in Dubai, the enhanced flight schedule offers early morning departure from Bahrain and same-day late evening return from Dubai.
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