Emirates airline, the world’s leading international carrier, has landed in Antananarivo, Madagascar for the first time.
The arrival of EK707, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, was celebrated with a water cannon salute at Ivato International Airport, followed by an exclusive event for VIPs, government officials, industry guests, and media.
Grand welcome
Andry Rajoelina, President of the Republic of Madagascar and the First Lady greeted the Emirates delegation, led by Adnan Kazim, deputy president and chief commercial officer; Adil Al Ghaith, senior vice-president of commercial operations, Gulf, Middle East and Central Asia; Badr Abbas, divisional senior vice-president of Emirates SkyCargo and Sami Aqil Abdullah, senior vice-president of Emirates Airport Services Outstation and Business Support, as well as international media.
“Madagascar is a new and exciting destination on our vast global network, unlocking a world of natural wonders, rare and diverse wildlife, and a rich, vibrant culture. As the Malagasy government continues to grow its tourism industry with the aim to attract one million tourists by 2028, we proudly support this vision by enhancing connectivity and premium travel options to encourage more international travellers to discover the island,” Kazim said.
Halt at Seychelles
EK707 departs from Dubai to the Seychelles before continuing to Antananarivo. The return flight EK708 departs Antananarivo, lands in Mahe, and then continues to Dubai. The four-weekly service operates on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. The flight times have been scheduled to optimize connections to and from key points in Europe, the Far East, West Asia and the Middle East/GCC, streamlining international travel to and from Madagascar.
Following the welcome ceremony, Adnan Kazim, along with senior representatives, showcased the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft flying on the route in a three-class configuration to President Rajoelina along with a group of dignitaries, government representatives, media, guests and members of the travel industry. The aircraft features eight private suites in first class, 42 lie-flat seats in business class and 310 seats in economy class.
Commanding the inaugural flight to Antananarivo was Canadian national Captain Bruce Pope and first officer Solo Chuk, a Malagasy pilot who has been flying for Emirates for 14 years. The inaugural flight operated with an almost full passenger load from Mahe, the Seychelles, taking advantage of the enhanced travel options available on the linked service by merging two trips into one.
Unique tourist destination
Madagascar offers travellers with a flair for adventure an entirely unique experience. Home to a wealth of precious biodiversity, with some of the world’s rarest plant and animal species, and boasting three World Heritage UNESCO sites, travellers can expect stunning scenery, rich culture and once-in-a-lifetime wildlife excursions.
To protect the intricacies of the natural world, Madagascar encourages ecotourism, enabling visitors to immerse themselves in the abundance of nature and embrace the local culture while respecting the environment.
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