Dubai-based Emirates has announced plans to launch a new service to Mashhad, Iran, from September 1, marking its second gateway into the country.

Emirates will operate to Mashhad with five weekly services utilising an Airbus A330-200 aircraft.

Sheikh Majid Al Mualla, divisional senior vice president commercial operations, said: “Mashhad’s addition to our global network will enable us to provide flexibility and choice for customers creating new inbound and outbound markets for tourism. We look forward to boosting traffic in and out of Mashhad and drawing in visitors from a host of points across our global network including cities in Europe, India, Pakistan, the GCC, as well as Far East destinations like Bangkok.”

Mashhad is the second largest city in Iran and attracts more than 2 million foreign visitors per year. Due to its proximity to Central Asian countries, Mashhad hosts numerous international exhibitions each year and is the second most active exhibition centre after Tehran.

Emirates services to Mashhad will depart on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from Dubai as EK967 at 0410hrs arriving at Mashhad International Airport at 7:00 am. The return flight, EK968 will depart Mashhad International Airport at 8:45 am arriving in Dubai at 10:45 am.

Timings have been scheduled to facilitate convenient onward connections via Dubai from points in the GCC, India and major cities like Bangkok in the Far East. Furthermore, the new flights introduce convenient connections from major European cities such as Stockholm and points across the UK, homes to some of the largest Iranian communities in the world.

Travellers from the US looking to stop in Dubai before embarking on their onwards journey to Mashhad can avail the Dubai Stop Over package, which includes stays at world-class hotels, sightseeing, among other activities.

Passengers travelling in the A330-200 First Class and Business Class cabins will be able to enjoy Emirates’ ice entertainment system with hundreds of channels of on-demand entertainment to choose from, including movies, television programmes, games, audio books and music from across the world. Economy Class passengers can also enjoy a great selection of entertainment including the latest international movies, television series, great music and games, in addition to savouring regionally inspired menus. As with all Emirates flights, passengers travelling on the Mashhad service will enjoy the generous Emirates baggage allowance of 30 kg in Economy Class, 40 kg in Business Class and 50 kg in First Class.

In addition to passenger operations, Emirates SkyCargo will offer 17 tonnes of cargo capacity each way between Dubai and Mashhad on the A330-200. Popular commodities are expected to be saffron, nuts, fruits, leather and personal effects.

Emirates’ launch of Mashhad will follow the launch of Multan in Pakistan on August 1 and will coincide with the launch of Orlando, Florida (US), which also launches on September 1. It will then be followed by the launch of Bologna, Italy, on November 3. – TradeArabia News Service