OREANDA-NEWS. Emirates, a global connector of people and places today commenced its newest service, to Kabul the capital of Afghanistan.

Emirates flight EK 640 touched down in Kabul International Khwaja Rawash Airport at 13.15 hours. On board was a VIP delegation including: H.E Dr Najibullah Mojadidi, Afghanistan Ambassador in UAE; H.E. Atiqullah Atifmal, Afghan Consul General in Dubai, and Yousif Ali, UAE Ambassador to Afghanistan; Abdullah Suwaidan - Deputy Director, Inward Missions - Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing; Adel al Redha, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Emirates Airline; and Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations - Centre, Emirates.

The flight was greeted on its arrival in Kabul by a senior delegation from Afghanistan including; H.E. Dr Daoud Ali Najafi, Minister of Transport Afghanistan; H.E.Captain Hamid Zaher Ustaz, Technical and Operations Deputy Minister; Ghulam Nabi Farahi, Deputy Minister of Information and Culture and Tourism; H.E.Malik Quraishi, Chief of Staff, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Allahnoor Sailab - Area Manager Afghanistan, Emirates.

Kabul is the 138th destination on the Emirates route network, and Afghanistan is the 78th country it serves.

“Emirates is always striving to connect people”, said Adel Al Redha, Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, Emirates. “This new route launch today presents a new opportunity for the population of Afghanistan to access new travel opportunities and destinations thanks to our extensive global network across six continents. It will also provide an opportunity for the many Afghans living overseas to visit home again whilst experiencing Emirates renowned service and product.”

“Today we welcome Emirates to Kabul”, said H.E. Dr. Dauod Ali Najafi, Minister of Transport. “Having an airline of the quality of Emirates commence flights to Afghanistan shows the airline's commitment to supporting the Afghan economy, building trade and travel links with the world and helping Afghans and expats living here to connect with friends, family and colleagues globally.”

The route is operated by an Airbus A340-500 configured in a 3 cabin configuration, offering 12 First Class, 42 Business Class and 204 Economy Class seats. Emirates is the only airline which offers First Class from Dubai to Kabul.

EK 640 will depart Dubai daily at 09.55 hours and arrive in Kabul at 13.15. The return flight, EK 641 will leave Kabul at 15.30 hours and arrive back in Dubai at 18.00.

When connecting at Dubai International, passengers will experience Emirates' dedicated terminal, Terminal 3 which feature a range of shops and restaurants to cater for all passengers. Emirates' service to Kabul offers convenient onward connections to and from Europe including London (Heathrow and Gatwick), Frankfurt, Manchester, Birmingham, Hamburg and Paris, plus the eight gateways which Emirates flies to in the USA.