Air transportation: Dakar becomes the 105th destination for Emirates Airlines

«Today begins a new chapter in air transportation between the Middle East and West Africa. Senegalese travelers no longer have to make long detours through Europe or other African countries before they reach their final destination», delightedly said Nigel Page, also Director of Trade operations for America - Africa. In addition, in the document given to the press, we learn that «the EK 797 flight leaves Dubai at 09:55 on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and arrives to Dakar at 16:00, while the EK 798 flight leaves Dakar at 17:40 and lands in the next morning in Dubai».

Airfreights will not be forgotten. So, « Emirates will transport 65 tons of goods per week through the various points of its network, including equipments for the oil industry from the United Arab Emirates, textiles from Asia, electronic equipments from Asia and a number of products and supplies from India».

Moreover, the great curiosity of the press conference was undoubtedly Mr. Cheikh Seck. His name probably means nothing for you but keep it in your mind; he is the Senegalese pilot who is operating behind the controls of the biggest passenger aircraft in the world like the A380. «I promised my family that one day I shall come back to Dakar with Emirates, now it’s done, and I am proud of the launch of the line with Dakar», said the former pilot of Air Senegal International. In addition, Mr. Seck who was trained in France and the United States, well appreciated his come-back to this city which he likes «the atmosphere and dynamism».

This new airline between Dubai and Dakar consolidates, according to Mr. Page, the partnership between Senegal to the United Arab Emirates. In that regard, trade operations between the two countries have thrived «from US $ 142 million in 2003 to US $ 184 million in 2009», according to figures provided by the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, quoted in the press document.

El Hadji ALASSANE DIALLO and Talibouya BA