Emirates airline is upping the tempo as it prepares to launch flights to Dakar, a West African city famous for its vibrant music scene. The airline has taken its message to the Senegalese capital that its direct service to Dubai is now just five weeks away.

The new service, starting on 1st September, will be served by an Airbus A340-300 aircraft, offering a three-class configuration of 12 First Class, 42 Business and 213 Economy Class seats.

Yesterday, senior representatives from Emirates met the media at Le Meridien President Hotel, Dakar. Among those present were: Tim Clark, President of Emirates Airline, Ram Menen, Divisional Senior Vice President of Emirates SkyCargo, Nigel Page, Senior Vice President of Commercial Operations for Africa & the Americas and Ernest Dikoum, Emirates’ Manager for Senegal.

Speaking at the media event alongside Mr Clark was His Excellency Ibrahima Cheikh Diong, Ambassador and Director General of International Cooperation of the Government of Senegal and Chairman of the Board-Group Air Senegal.

Mr Clark, said:

“Like Dubai, Dakar has a long history as an important trading port and both cities have been fundamentally shaped through the business of trade. This route will establish a whole new artery of trade, connecting Senegal to the beating heart of Emirates – our network of more than 100 international destinations spanning six continents.”

He added, “Our new service will bring Dakar significantly closer to key global markets, including the Middle and the Far East. A whole new audience will be introduced to Senegal, stimulating tourism and commerce and creating jobs.”

M. Cheikh Ibrahima Diong said, “The launch of Emirates’ new service fits perfectly with our ambition as a country to increase the air links between Senegal and the rest of the world, in general, and between Senegal and GCC countries and Asia in particular.”

“Indeed, the lack of direct air links between these regions and West Africa, particularly in Senegal’s case, have so far forced passengers to make long detours to Europe to visit Asia and the Middle East,” M. Diong continued.

“We believe that this new route will greatly contribute in strengthening our ambition to position Dakar as a regional commercial and air transport hub,” he added.

Last night, more than 350 guests from across Dakar’s business community converged on Le Meridien President for a high-profile road show event to introduce the airline and Dubai.

Heading up the entertainment were Senegal’s premier female artist, Viviane N’Dour and glamorous violin duo Electra Angels, while guests were welcomed by another Senegalese star act, Doudou Ndiaye Rose, a world-famous percussion group.

Mr Clark added, “The route will further support the economic activity that has blossomed between Dakar and Dubai in recent years. A direct air link between Senegal and the Middle East, facilitating the movement of business and leisure travellers, can only boost these volumes and support trade ties further.”

Trade between the UAE and Senegal has climbed from $14.2m (Dhs52.1m) in 2003 to $184m (Dhs676m) in 2009, according to figures from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Key exports to the UAE include fresh fish, fruit and seasonal vegetables.

The roadshow event was followed by the official opening of Emirates’ new Dakar office today. Once fully established, the total number of Senegalese employees across the Emirates Group will rise to more than 25. Some of these employees include Emirates’ very first Senegalese cabin crew, who will support the airline’s 142-strong fleet of passenger aircraft serving 103 destinations in 63 countries.

Starting 1st September 2010, Emirates will fly non-stop to Dakar five times a week every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Emirates Flight 797 will depart Dubai at 09:55 and touch down at Dakar’s Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport at 16:00hrs the same day. The return flight departs Dakar at 17:40, arriving in Dubai at 07:15 the following morning. The service connects seamlessly to key centres in the Middle East, the Indian Sub-continent, Asia and the Far East.

Dakar will be the fifth new route to be launched by Emirates this year. The others are Tokyo, which launched on 28th March, Amsterdam on 1st May, Prague on 1st July and Madrid, which kicks off on 1st August.