Emirates has unveiled new expansion plans for Eastern Europe with the launch of daily services to Kyiv Boryspil International Airport in Kiev from January 16th 2014, marking its first route to the Ukraine.

Offering a daily service, operated by an Airbus A340-500, the new flight will provide convenient global connections, via Dubai, to the country’s population of 45 million, further enhancing the nation’s burgeoning economy.

With a booming agricultural sector the Ukraine is currently the world’s largest exporter of sunflower oil and a major global producer of grain and sugar.

“We see strong potential in the Ukraine through its agribusiness, heavy machinery industries, technology, and tourism.

“Kiev will be our 35th passenger route in Europe and Emirates’ customers in the Ukraine will be able to fly non-stop to our Dubai hub and conveniently connect onwards to destinations in the Indian Ocean Islands and Asia, in addition to our extensive Australian network courtesy of our partnership with Qantas,” said Hubert Frach, divisional senior vice president commercial operations West.

“We expect Dubai to be a popular choice for our customers in the Ukraine, facilitating new business opportunities as well as offering leisure travellers world-class accommodation and entertainment options,” added Frach.

Ukraine’s GDP growth is expected to show steady momentum for the next three years as a result of increasing consumer confidence, and increased demand for raw building materials such as steel

Emirates’ Kiev service will help support key exports from the Ukraine through the dedicated belly hold with a capacity of 15 tonnes transporting aircraft spares, heavy industry machinery equipment and ships spares.