Dubai-based Emirates has confirmed it will start operating a second daily service to Lisbon, Portugal from January 1, 2016, in response to strong demand.

Since launching flights to Lisbon in July 2012, the Gulf carrier has recorded a significant increase in customer demand to and from the city with an average capacity growth of 15 per cent per year.

The new flight, operated by a Boeing 777-300ER will offer eight First Class Suites, 42 lie-flat Business Class seats and 310 spacious Economy Class seats.

“The additional service will provide customers in Africa, the Far East and Australasia, the Middle East and West Asia with even easier access to Lisbon, supporting the burgeoning business and leisure traffic between these markets and Portugal,” said Hubert Frach, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president Commercial Operations West.

As one of Europe’s warmest countries and boasting over 800 km of Atlantic coast, medieval castles and scenic villages, Portugal continues to see strong growth across its tourism sector. In particular, visitor numbers from across the Far East continue to grow with China, Japan and Korea earmarked by the country’s tourism board, Visit Portugal, as being key markets for growth.

“We continue to work closely with Visit Portugal to ensure a coordinated and sustained approach to attracting inbound tourism numbers to Portugal. Given our broad global network and convenient one-stop connection through Dubai we are confident that this second daily flight will help boost visitor numbers to Portugal even further,” Frach said.

The growth in services to Lisbon by Emirates follows the recent announcement of the airline as shirt sponsor for the city’s Benfica Football team until the end of the 2017/18 season, underscoring the airline’s commitment to Portugal.

Emirates currently flies to 37 cities across Europe, offering more than 65 flights per day across the continent. – TradeArabia News Service