Emirates is set to enhance Madagascar’s tourism landscape with the launch of a new flight route starting 3 September 2024. This new service will connect Dubai to Antananarivo, via the Seychelles, four times a week.
The route will be operated by a Boeing 777-300ER, featuring eight first-class suites, 42 business-class seats, and 310 economy seats. Emirates’ Deputy President and CCO Adnan Kazim highlighted the significance of this launch, noting Madagascar’s untapped potential in ecotourism. “This new service will have a positive impact on boosting Madagascar’s connectivity, offering more opportunities for travellers to discover the hidden gem that is Madagascar, and opening new international business opportunities,” Kazim stated.
Scheduled flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays are designed to optimize connections from key regions including Europe, the Far East, West Asia, and the Middle East. The Dubai-Seychelles-Antananarivo flight will depart Dubai at 08:55, arriving in Mahé at 13:35, and then proceed to Antananarivo, landing at 16:50. The return flight will depart Antananarivo at 18:35, arriving in Mahé at 22:20, and reach Dubai at 04:20 the following day.
Tourism, a vital sector in Madagascar’s economy, aims to attract one million tourists by 2028, generating substantial employment opportunities. This new route aligns with the Madagascan Ministry of Tourism’s strategy to diversify and expand its market reach. Furthermore, Emirates is in talks with Air Madagascar to enhance global connectivity and promote tourism and trade.
Madagascar’s Minister of Transport and Meteorology, Manambahoaka Valéry Ramonjavelo, emphasized the broader implications of this development. “This agreement represents a significant step forward for tourism and trade between the UAE and Madagascar, introducing the world to Madagascar’s incredible touristic and cultural treasures while creating new business opportunities,” he said.
In addition to passenger services, Emirates SkyCargo will facilitate the export of goods from Madagascar through Dubai’s hub, targeting markets in the UAE, China, Indonesia, the United States, and France.
This new route is a promising advancement for Madagascar’s tourism and trade sectors, bridging the island nation with over 140 destinations worldwide.
