By JUDITH NAMUTOWE –
EMIRATES has introduced a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its direct route between Lusaka and Dubai to meet growing demand.
The massive Boeing 777-300ER, which is the backbone of the Emirates fleet, replaces Airbus A340-300 and offers an additional 97 economy class seats per flight.
This is according to a statement released in Lusaka and made available to the Times of Zambia yesterday.
Emirates country manager for Zambia Thani Al Ansari said that the aircraft has eight private suites in First Class, 42 lie-flat seats in business class and 310 spacious seats in economy class.
“The coming of the Boeing 777-300ER to our part of the southern African market is pertinent as evidenced by the increasing demand.
“Passengers will be able to experience world class on board service at a further heightened level with the larger aircraft,” he said.
Mr Al Ansari said the deployment of the aircraft on the Lusaka and Harare route  making Emirates, Southern Africa network an all Boeing 777 operation, with flights to Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Luanda in Angola, highlighting the importance of the region with a growing and vibrant tourism and business sector.
He said businesses and traders would be given a chance to carry cargo, offering 23 tonnes of capacity per flight to support the two countries’ exports such as vegetables and flowers, as well as imports ranging from pharmaceuticals to mining equipment.
Emirates’ first class private suites are fitted with electrically operated doors to ensure privacy, a flat bed, including a mini-bar and work desk, while business class features sleeperettes, and economy class comfortable and spacious seats.
With 155 Boeing 777s in service and a further 190 on order, the aircraft is the backbone of the Emirates fleet and very popular with customers.