Emirates touches down in Mashhad

DUBAI, 1st September, 2015 (WAM) -- Emirates Airline today extended its reach into Iran by linking Dubai with Mashhad, adding a second passenger gateway into the country after Tehran.

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, Divisional Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Centre for Emirates Airline, commented, "The new service to Mashhad, Iran?s second largest city and one of its most economically vibrant centres, will not only enhance trade ties with the UAE, but will also introduce travellers to Emirates' vast route network, opening up new opportunities to connect efficiently with destinations in the Middle East, Europe, Africa and West Asia through our world-class Dubai hub. By boosting air transport links from Mashhad to the increasingly connected world economy, we are contributing to the growth of international trade, tourism and investment."Sheikh Majid Al Mualla was on board the inaugural flight and was joined by Khalid Al Hinai ? Vice President Cargo Commercial for the Middle East, GCC and Iran, Dr. Mohammad Reza Fayyaz, Iranian Ambassador to the UAE, Mohamad Hosein Moghadam Taghizadeh, General Manager of the Iranian Hospital and Naser Hamidi Khah, Managing Director of the Iranian Club . They were accompanied by a group of UAE media.

On arrival at Mashhad International Airport, the delegation was received by Ali Gasem Zedeh, CEO of Mashhad Airport, along with other senior officials.

Emirates? five weekly flights, operated by a combination of a three class and two class configured A330-200, will help further stimulate the vital trade ties between the UAE and Iran. The UAE is Iran?s biggest non-oil trading partner. It is also Iran?s biggest source of imported goods, worth more than AED93.5 billion in 2014. In turn, Iran exports goods to the UAE valued at AED3.8 billion, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy.

Emirates? services to Mashhad will depart on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from Dubai as EK967 at 04:10hrs arriving at Mashhad International Airport at 07:00hrs. The return flight, EK968 will depart Mashhad International Airport at 08:45hrs arriving in Dubai at 10:45hrs.

In addition to passenger operations, Emirates SkyCargo will offer up to 150 tonnes of cargo capacity per week between Dubai and Mashhad on the A330-200. Popular commodities to be exported out of Mashhad are fruit, vegetables, handmade carpets, saffron and nuts. Imports such as meat, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, machinery and vehicle parts will also be vital to the trade exchange.

Emirates commenced services to Iran in 1990 with two flights a week to Tehran. It now operates four daily flights to the capital city. Since then, Emirates has carried 7 million passengers in and out of Iran.