--As, Emirates to open new gateways on four continents in 2004
Emirates, the UAE's award-winning international airline, plans to open six new destinations in 2004 including gateways in the US, Scotland, central Europe, China and West Africa in a network expansion spread across four continents.

New route to West Africa

Emirates service to the Nigerian capital Lagos and Accra, capital of neighbouring Ghana, provide the first direct air link between West Africa and the Gulf, boosting trade between the two regions. This new service opens up West African markets and provides West Africans with their first direct link to Dubai and points eastwards. Emirates has steadily expanded its operations in North and East Africa since flights to Cairo began in 1986.

Flights: Four times weekly from January 2 non-stop to Lagos and continuing to Accra. Flights will be operated with an A330-200 in three-class configuration. Emirates has full traffic rights between Lagos and Accra.