Emirates adds Madrid to its network

Dubai, Jan 6, 2010 (WAM)- Emirates, the international airline of the UAE, is to start flights to Madrid, providing the only scheduled passenger service between Dubai and Spain.
The daily, non-stop service begins from August 1, making the Spanish capital the carrier's 25th destination in Europe.
Sheikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said: "The new Madrid route is particularly significant because we will provide the only scheduled passenger service between Dubai and Spain.
"It will also give passengers out of Spain much easier access to our international hub in Dubai, where they can travel onwards to popular destinations in Asia and the Far East.
There are already strong trade links between Spain and Dubai, particularly in the field of fashion, supported by Emirates SkyCargo, which flies to the Spanish city of Zaragoza.
The UAE has been listed as a priority fashion market by the Spanish Institute for Foreign Trade (ICEX), and the list of Spanish brands found in Dubai's shopping malls is extensive.
Bershka, Zara, Stradivarius, Oysho, Massimo Dutti, Pull & Bear, Mango, 13 Búho Street, Pepe Jeans, Pablosky and Camper, Loewe, Carrera y Carrera, Cortefiel, Pedro del Hierro, Tuc Tuc, Women's Secret and Manolo Blahnik are amongst the many attractions for shoppers.
In 2008, Spanish clothing exports to the UAE were worth Dh428 million while overall trade was worth more than Dh3.6 billion according to the Economic and Commercial Office of Spain in the UAE.
In all, Emirates SkyCargo has two weekly Boeing 747 freighter flights to Zaragoza, each offering 120 tonnes of cargo capacity.