Adds frequencies to New Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad

Set against a backdrop of booming trade ties and escalating travel between Dubai and India, Emirates, one of the world's fastest-growing carriers has announced plans to advance its Indian operation with 18 additional flights per week, effective July 1st, 2008.

The Dubai-based airline will step up its frequencies to the country's capital city, New Delhi, and IT hubs Bangalore and Hyderabad, progressing its Indian footprint to 132 flights per week ' the highest-ever frequency for an international carrier in the Indian skies.

In time to support the holiday season, the new frequencies will be introduced between July and October 2008.

The enhanced capacity to India will provide corporate and leisure travelers with connections from New York and Houston. Passengers from the West Coast will be able to fly from Los Angeles starting on September 1st and San Francisco starting on October 26th. All U.S. destinations offer daily non-stop service to Dubai.

New Delhi
' Closely following its recent announcement to introduce a second daily operation to New Delhi, Emirates will introduce four additional weekly frequencies to the capital city, one each on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, starting July 2nd.

Cargo movement is also expected to gain momentum as the increased capability - over 330 tons per week ' supports the growing export of garments, meat products, fruits and vegetables, and machinery.

Bangalore ' Known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore, home to more than 1,600 tech firms, including international heavyweights such as IBM, Intel, Compaq, Infosys, and Tata Consultancy Services, will be served with seven additional weekly frequencies ' two of which will be introduced in July and the remaining five in October. Emirates' increased air links of 15 weekly flights will improve connectivity to and from North America, a major market for India's IT exports, estimated to be worth USD 50 billion.

Hyderabad ' Emirates will progressively increase its Hyderabad service to 18 flights a week by October 1st. The additional flights have been timed to provide business and leisure travelers with quick connections from North America and Europe.

Cargo tonnage will improve by over 70 percent to 271 tons a week, offering Hyderabad's exporters the much-needed capacity to transport pharmaceuticals, engineering spares, chemicals and poultry products to the United States, Europe, and the Middle East.

Salem Obaidalla, Emirates' Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, West Asia and Indian Ocean noted: 'Having fuelled strong economic and trade ties between the Middle East and India since the start of its services in 1985, Emirates is well-poised to support India's blistering growth in the 21st century with its efficient, reliable and increased air links.'

The additional flights will be operated by the ultra-modern Boeing 777 and Airbus A330-200 aircraft in two and three-class configurations, and will add over 5,900 seats on the Indian routes.