Emirates-Hyderabad maiden flight launched

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD, JULY 1.

A daily flight of Emirates from Dubai to Hyderabad was launched here on Sunday opening up prospects of cooperation between Andhra Pradesh and Dubai in business and tourism.

A delegation headed by Mr. Mohammed Al Abbar, Director-General, Department of Economic Development, Dubai, and Mr. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates' Commercial Operations Director, were given a traditional Hyderabadi welcome after the inaugural flight touched down at the Rajiv Gandhi international airport.

The Chief Minister, Mr. N. Chandrababu Naidu, the Minister for Major Industries, Mr. K. Vidyadhara Rao, and the Chief Secretary, Mr. P. V. Rao, were present to receive the team which includes senior personnel of Emirates, businessmen and mediapersons. Hyderabad is now the fourth city in India after Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai where the Emirates operates flights from Dubai.

Briefing the business delegation and media, Mr. Naidu said his dream of providing world-class facilities in Hyderabad was being slowly fulfilled. His next goal was to make the city a transit hub between Europe and China by encouraging more international flights and a knowledge hub by promoting institutions like the IIIT and ISB. In four years from now, the City would have an international airport.

Expressing confidence that mutual cooperation between Dubai and AP could do wonders for the State, he said work was afoot to promote golf courses, villas and shopping malls in the city with assistance from Dubai. Hyderabad had a lot to offer to people from the Gulf countries such as super specialities' hospitals, pearls and historical monuments like Charminar, Golconda fort and the Quli Qutb Shah tombs. It was emerging the Information Technology (IT) capital of India. Noting that tickets for Emirates flights from Hyderabad to Dubai were booked for the next one month, he offered his Government's full cooperation for its growth.

Mr. Abbar said Emirates could launch its flight to Hyderabad within a record time because of the personal interest shown by Mr. Naidu. Mr. Ghaith said Emirates would do all it could to help Hyderabad become a capital of tourism and trade in the country. He said a team of businessmen from Dubai would come here in October to organise a roadshow and talk to captains of industry here to explore business relationships. Mr. Nabil Sultan, Country Manager, Emirates, welcomed the guests.

Meanwhile, a press release giving the airlines' flight schedules said flight EK 570 would operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturday, departing from Dubai at 0345 and arriving here at 0855. The return flight, EK 571, would depart from Hyderabad at 1020 and arrive in Dubai 1230.

Emirates will also operate flight EK 572 on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays departing Dubai at 2215 and arriving Hyderabad at 0325. The return flight EK 573 will depart Hyderabad at 0440 on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays and arrive at Dubai at 0650.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Govt. urged to encourage 'Green Building' concept
Next     : BJP demands President's rule in T.N.