Business News of Friday, 15 April 2016

Source: Ernestina Boadi

Emirates increases free baggage allowance on all African routes

Airline introduces piece concept across all cabin classes
ACCRA, GHANA - 14 April 2016 – Emirates, the world’s largest international airline with an extensive network across Africa, is set to increase its free baggage allowance for customers travelling on all its flights originating from destinations across the continent.

Starting from 15 April 2016, all Emirates customers travelling in any of the airline’s three cabin classes on outbound African flights will benefit from the increase in free baggage allowance based on the piece concept (individual piece of luggage).

Economy Class customers will get a new baggage allowance of two bags weighing up to 23kg each, taking the current weight allowance from 30kg to 46kg, while Business Class increases to two bags of 32kg each, taking the current 40kg to 64kg. First Class customers will get a baggage allowance of two bags weighing up to 32 kg each, up from the current 50 kg to 64kg. In addition, infants will be entitled one piece of luggage up to 23kg.
The baggage allowance will be applicable for all return Emirates’ flights commencing from Algeria, Angola, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe to Emirates network. Irrespective of the point of sale, the piece concept will apply for the entire journey.

“At Emirates we always focus on how we can give our customers the best value for money through award winning products and services, both in the air and on the ground. The increased free baggage allowance is another compelling reason for travellers to fly with Emirates. It will enable them to carry even more goods, whether for personal or business reasons, on their journeys from Africa to points across our global network and back,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations, Africa.

“With more than 370 flights a week between Dubai and the 22 passenger destinations we serve in Africa, the continent is a very important region for Emirates, and we believe the new allowance will further strengthen trade and tourism connectivity between Africa and our worldwide network, particularly the US, Europe, the Middle East and Asia Pacific,” he added.

The new piece concept will not apply to customers who were issued with tickets before 15 April 2016.

Customers on all Emirates flights between its hub Dubai and the 22 destinations in Africa, also enjoy Emirates’ award winning ice entertainment system, which offers hundreds of channels of audio and visual entertainment, while enjoying gourmet cuisine, and the service and hospitality from Emirates’ multi-national cabin crew, including from many countries in Africa.

In addition to opening new routes, Emirates continues to enhance its presence in Africa by increasing flight frequencies to existing points, and deploying larger aircraft to cater for the increasing passenger and cargo demand. Emirates also serves five cargo only destinations in Africa.