Published: 05 June 2013

Emirates, one of the world's fastest growing airlines, has officially opened its new Harare sales and ticketing office.

The new high-tech office was inaugurated by Emirates' Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Africa, Jean Luc Grillet, in a ceremony that was also attended by dignitaries and members of the travel industry.

Covering 361sqm square metres, the new sales outlet features seven customer service counters dedicated to flight bookings, Emirates Holidays' reservations and general customer enquiries.

"The official opening of our Harare sales office comes just over a year since we launched our flights from Harare to Dubai. This is a testament to the confidence that Emirates has in the growth of Zimbabwe's economy," said Jean Luc Grillet, Emirates' Senior Vice President Commercial Operations Africa.

Extending Emirates' award-winning standards of service to the pre-flight experience, the flagship outlet introduces a one-stop 'Travel Hub' addressing the needs of Emirates' business and leisure travellers, premium passengers, frequent-flyer members and potential holiday-makers.

A team of dedicated local staff, overseen by newly appointed Country Manager Paulos Legesse, is on hand to provide advice, assist with bookings and enquiries, and facilitate smooth payment for tickets.

"As one of the world's most lauded airlines, Emirates enjoys a well-established reputation for superior customer service both in the air and on the ground. The new office will enable us to provide our valued customers in Harare with the high standards of service, and superior product and facilities that they have come to expect from Emirates," Mr Grillet added.

The new office is located at 18 Wakefield Road, Avondale, and is within easy reach of the commercial centres in Harare.  

Emirates launched its daily service from Dubai to Lusaka and Harare on February 1 last year. To date, the airline has carried over 46,526 passengers on the route.

A year later, on February 1, 2013, the airline increased its capacity on the route by 50 percent with the introduction of a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, which has 354 seats in a three-class configuration, offering eight luxurious First Class suites, 42 seats in Business Class and generous space for 304 passengers in Economy Class.

Throughout the aircraft, passengers will be able to experience the airline's award-winning ice in-flight entertainment system with a choice of over 1,400 channels on-demand as well as meals prepared by gourmet chefs.  Emirates is also known for its award-winning service from its international cabin crew recruited from over 100 countries around the world, including Zimbabwean nationals

EK 713 departs Dubai every day at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1425hrs. The service departs Lusaka at 1610hrs, arriving in Harare at 1710hrs. The return flight EK 714 leaves Harare at 1850hrs, arriving Lusaka at 1950hrs. It departs Lusaka at 2125hrs and lands in Dubai at 0640hrs the next day.

With a fleet of 200 aircraft and already the largest  Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 operator in the world, Emirates currently flies to 132 destinations in 77 countries.

The Boeing 777-300ER is the backbone of the Emirates fleet, with 87 in service and a further 64 on order.

Emirates' fleet is one of the youngest in the skies, with an average age of 77 months.
- Byo24News

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