Emirates to Launch Dubai - Seychelles - Madagascar Flights

Dark/Light Mode (11/06/24)  Emirates has unveiled plans to launch flights to Madagascar, the world’s fourth largest island, on 3 September 2024.

The airline will operate the Dubai (DXB) - Antananarivo (TNR) route with four flights per week via a linked service with Seychelles (SEZ).

Flight EK707 is scheduled to depart from Dubai at 08:55, arriving in Mahe, Seychelles at 13:35. From there, the aircraft will continue on to Antananarivo at 15:05 and is expected to land at 16:50.

From Antananarivo, flight EK708 is slated to depart at 18:35, landing in Mahe at 22:20. The flight will then take off from Mahe at 23:50, landing in Dubai at 04:20 the following day.

Flights will operate every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday with Boeing 777-300ER aircraft configured with 8 First Class suites, 42 Business Class seats and 310 seats in Economy.

Emirates B777-300ER reg: A6-EPA. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

“Madagascar has historically been underserved, despite growing appetite from travellers for authentic ecotourism experiences,” said Adnan Kazim, Emirates’ Deputy President and Chief Commercial Officer. “Emirates understands the importance of offering customers efficient connectivity and premium travel experiences and we’re confident that 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, in addition to opening new international business opportunities.”

Madagascar boasts stunning scenery from white sandy beaches and emerald waters, to lush rainforests and national parks and the fossilized shells on limestone plateaus.

Colloquially referred to as Treasure Island, it is home to three World Heritage UNESCO sites and a wealth of precious biodiversity, with 5% of the planet’s plant and animal species found only on the island.

Pre-Covid, Madagascar's tourism sector was growing, with the country welcoming just under 500,000 arrivals in 2019. Now, with tourism taking off once more, the country has set itself the ambitious goal of welcoming one million tourist arrivals by 2028.

“Our agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Madagascar opens the way to this new Antananarivo-Dubai route and represents a significant step forward for the development of tourism and trade between the two countries. This is extremely positive news in more than one way, as it opens a new door between Madagascar and the world, through the Dubai hub, the biggest international hub in passenger numbers,” said H.E Manambahoaka Valéry Ramonjavelo, Madagascar’s Minister of Transports, and Meteorology. It will also introduce the whole world to the incredible touristic and cultural treasures of Madagascar, while also creating opportunities for new business streams. The association of our national airline combined with this new Emirates route it will strengthen connectivity for our regions.”

With the launch of passenger flights, Emirates SkyCargo will offer 22 tonnes of bellyhold cargo capacity in and out of Antananarivo every week, uplifting key commodities such as fresh fruits and vegetables, vanilla, textiles and mining products.

See also: Tourism Seychelles - Exclusive Video Interview with Sherin Francis, Principal Secretary (June 2023).

Latest exclusive video interviews: Future of Air Travel - Interview with Sumesh Patel, President of SITA Asia Pacific; Miss International Queen 2024 (MIQ 2024) - Interview with Alisa Phanthusak, MD, Tiffany's Show Pattaya, Thailand; 16 HD Video Interviews from Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark; 9 HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia; Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman; 9 Exclusive Video Interviews from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 8 NTO Press Conferences from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 13 HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England; 5 HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France; and 15 HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye.