Emirates starts direct flight from Ahmedabad

AHMEDABAD: Emirates Airlines began operating direct flights between Ahmedabad and Dubai from Monday.

"This is our ninth destination in India," Nabil Sultan, Senior Vice President of the airlines told reporters after the airlines first flight touched down at Sardar Patel International Airport here.

"Today, our airlines has established trading links between Ahmedabad, which is India's textile, pharmaceutical and jewellery hub and Dubai, the gateway to the West Asia and world beyond," he added.

"In 2006, we started our services in Bengaluru, Thiruvanthapuram and Kolkata. In 2007, we decided to expand our presence in Western India. Emirates has introduced a fourth daily service to Mumbai yesterday," Vice-President commercial Operations-West Asia Salem Obaidalla added.

The inaugural flight carrying a delegation led by Nabil Sultan and other officials of the airlines were received at city's International Airport Director S P Bhagat.