Following closely on the launch of its services to Thiruvananthapuram, Emirates, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines has announced its plans to start services to the Indian city of Bangalore, effective from 29 October.

Emirates will launch eight flights a week to Bangalore, offering a total weekly capacity of 2108 seats and 120 plus tonnes of cargo in each direction.

The capital city of Karnataka, Bangalore, will be Emirates’ fifth destination in South India, the others being Chenna, Hyderabad, Cochin and Thiruvanan-

thapuram. It will also be the 86th destination on Emirates’ rapidly expanding network, which includes the start of services to nine new destinations in 2006.

Emirates made its foray in the booming South Indian region in 2000 when it launched services to Chennai. Expanding its presence in this region, the airline subsequently started operating to Hyderabad in 2001; Cochin in 2002; and Thiru vananthapuram in February this year.

The airline’s services will benefit Bangalore’s booming Information Technology (IT) and Biotechnology industries which will have access to newer markets. Referred to as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore accounts for 35 per cent of India’s software exports.

Emirates operates four flights each week from Malta to Dubai with a stopover in Larnaca, Cyprus, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday on A330-200. The Malta route gives a convenient connection to outgoing and incoming passengers from the Far East and Australia.