Emirates Airline has confirmed it will set its sights on the land of Vasco da Gama by announcing flights to Portugal from July 9th.

The airline, further extending its European reach, will start a daily service to Lisbon, in the south-west corner of Europe, just six days after launching flights to Barcelona in neighbouring Spain.

Emirates will serve Lisbon with a modern Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, a far cry from more than 500 years ago when Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama put to sea in search of a passage to India.

Offering First Class, Business Class and Economy Class cabins, EK 191 will leave Dubai at 09:15 each day and arrive in Lisbon at 14:45.

The return flight, EK 192 departs Lisbon at 17:55 and gets into Dubai at 04:35 the next day.

The Portuguese capital becomes Emirates’ 31st European destination.

“Lisbon has been on our European wish-list for some time. Our daily flight will link this far western corner of Europe with our strong route network, via Dubai, into Africa, across Asia and beyond,” said Tim Clark, president, Emirates Airline.

“We will be the only carrier based in the Middle East operating into Portugal, bringing our refreshing approach to customer service, our dynamic and inspiring approach to business, along with superb value for money,” Clark added.

Portugal has a population of around ten million, of which nearly two million live in Lisbon and its suburbs.

It is estimated there are some 200 million Portuguese speakers around the world, making it the third most spoken European language globally, according to Visit Portugal.

“We are delighted to welcome Emirates to Lisbon and we look forward to a long and successful partnership with our newest airline client,” said Lisbon Airport director João Nunes.

“Emirates have established a high level of excellence and admiration within the aviation community and we are confident that passengers will be eager to take advantage of the new route for travel to the Middle East and beyond.

“Connectivity is essential for business and for tourism and this new flight and the onward connections that it will provide will be very beneficial for the Portuguese economy,” Nunes concluded.

Emirates Airline is considered to offer the Middle East’s Leading Airline Economy Class by the prestigious World Travel Awards.