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Emirates celebrates 15 years operating flights between Dubai and Dakar

Emirates celebrates 15 years operating flights between Dubai and Dakar
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Tim Clark President, Emirates Airline | Emirates Airlines

Emirates is marking 15 years of service to Dakar, Senegal, highlighting its role in connecting the country with international destinations since 2010. The airline has transported more than 890,290 passengers and operated over 6,000 flights between Senegal and other markets during this period.

The carrier began its Dakar operations with an Airbus A340-300, offering five weekly flights that established the first scheduled air link between the United Arab Emirates and Senegal. This connection improved travel options not only to the Middle East but also made it easier for travelers from Senegal to reach China and other Asian countries. The route has also supported religious journeys for thousands of pilgrims traveling to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah.

In 2016, Emirates introduced a Boeing 777-300ER on the route, increasing both passenger seating and cargo capacity to meet growing demand. Over the years, inbound traffic has included travelers from cities such as Guangzhou, Shanghai, Beijing in China; Delhi, Chennai, Bombay in India; as well as South Africa and Saudi Arabia. Outbound routes have seen significant movement toward destinations including China, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand.

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Arpit Behl, Country Manager for Senegal at Emirates said: “Celebrating 15 years of connecting to Senegal reflects the strong ties we have built with our customers, and partners, and our longstanding investment in this important market. Since our very first flight, we have delivered on our promise to enhance connectivity with the globe and provide travellers with a world-class inflight experience. We are proud to have played a key part in Senegal’s evolving aviation, tourism and trade sectors, and will continue our journey with new and exciting developments for years to come."

Emirates employs more than 50 people from Senegal across various roles including cabin crew members, pilots and sales agents. The company offers career development programs aimed at retaining talent within its multinational workforce.

Oumar Ba, an Emirates A380 Captain from Senegal stated: “As a proud Senegalese national, and Airbus A380 Captain for the world’s largest international airline, it’s a pleasure to see Emirates celebrating 15 years of operations to Dakar. I’ve been flying with Emirates for almost 10 years, travelling all over the world – one day, I hope to have the honour of flying the iconic Emirates A380 into Senegal!”

Economic relations between Senegal and the UAE have grown stronger over recent years. According to data provided by Emirates SkyCargo—the airline's freight division—over 18,200 tonnes of goods were transported through Dakar in just five years. In addition to using space on passenger aircrafts' bellyhold compartments for cargo shipments out of Dakar International Airport (DSS), Emirates operates a weekly Boeing 777F freighter service that further supports regional trade flows.

Senegal is often referred to as "the Land of Teraanga," reflecting its cultural values centered around hospitality—a quality recognized among many members of Emirates’ cabin crew team who hail from the country.

Organizations Included in this History
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