An Emirates Airbus A330-200 touched down today (Tuesday 3rd September 2002) in Mauritius, to a grand welcome and an official Guard of Honour. Emirates` Chairman, HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, led the official delegation on the inaugural flight, accompanied by senior Emirates management and a group of international media.

They were welcomed on arrival at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport by an official delegation which included the Hon. P.R. Bérenger, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Finance; and the Hon. S Soodhun, Minister of Labour and Industrial Relations & Responsible for Haj Matters.
At a press conference at the airport, Sheikh Ahmed expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome extended on the occasion of Emirates` inauguration of services to Mauritius. 

“We are very pleased that Mauritius is joining the Emirates network as our 60th destination,” said Sheikh Ahmed.  “I would like to thank the Mauritian government for granting us the rights to operate these flights. We believe our new service will help to strengthen the already warm relationship between the United Arab Emirates and Mauritius. It will also be an opportunity for us to serve your country by helping to promote your excellent tourism industry further and by providing air links to more markets for your business community. Whenever Emirates starts new operations, we strongly market the destination across our network around the world.We are confident that this new service will be of benefit to us all, both as a busy route for Emirates and a popular destination for our customers, bringing you strong and steady business.”
Sheikh Ahmed will host a gala dinner on 5th September in the capital, Port Louis, which will be attended by the island`s top government officials, leaders of the business community, representatives of the leisure and tourism industry, in addition to media.
Emirates flies three times a week, non-stop to Mauritius, operating an Airbus A330-200 aircraft in a two-cabin configuration, with 34 Business and 251 Economy Class seats. Mauritius has developed a sophisticated tourism industry catering to the discerning traveller, while also ensuring the island offers facilities essential for family holiday enjoyment.
Emirates Holidays has introduced holiday packages to Mauritius in its latest World of Choice brochure, featuring over 20 hotels and apartments, all of which are situated along the coast.
Emirates SkyCargo is poised to meet the requirements of the Mauritian garment industry, which exports ready-made garments and textiles from the island to Europe and the USA. Imports are expected to centre on machinery and spares associated with the industry, in addition to products for the tourism industry.
Emirates` flights from all of its European destinations arrive in Dubai with a convenient connection time for the Mauritius service. Those from seven European cities offer a connection time of under two hours. Flight EK701 departs Dubai every Tuesday, Friday and Sunday at 0230hrs, arriving in Mauritius at 0900hrs. Flight EK702 returns on the same days, taking off from Mauritius at 2330hrs and touching down in Dubai the next morning at 0600hrs.
Mauritius is the 60th destination on the Emirates network, which covers 42 countries on four continents. The network will be further expanded on 1st October, when the airline starts non-stop services to the Japanese city of Osaka.
Emirates is planning to start operations to North America next year, with the delivery of the long-range Airbus A340-500 aircraft.
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