Emirates is responding to strong passenger demand in Tunis by launching an extra frequency and introducing the Airbus A340-500 on to the Dubai-Tunis route, commencing 25 March 2012. 

The new frequency means that Emirates will serve Tunis daily, utilizing the Airbus 340-500 family of technologically-advanced aircraft in a three-class configuration, offering 12 First Class Private Suites, 42 seats in Business Class and 204 Economy Class seats.

The additional flight, coupled with an aircraft upgrade, will increase Emirates’ capacity to Tunis by almost 30 per cent, representing an extra 384 seats each way per week. It will also provide an additional 15 tonnes of weekly cargo capacity.

“By providing an extra flight and upgrading the aircraft, we are responding to strong demand for additional capacity on the Tunis-Dubai route,” said Thierry Antinori, Executive Vice President –Passenger Sales Worldwide. “The strengthened service will foster new business and tourism to one of our key destinations within Africa and provide even more convenient connections for onward travel through our international hub of Dubai".

“The introduction of the A340-500 will offer our customers an even better experience when travelling on this route. Our customers will now enjoy the very latest Emirates in-flight product, including our multi award-winning ice entertainment system.” added Mr Antinori.

Customers in all cabins will enjoy meals prepared by gourmet chefs, award-winning service from the airline’s international cabin crew, as well as the airline’s industry leading in-flight entertainment system, which offers more than 600 channels of on-demand entertainment including 50 new movie releases, more than 20 movie classics and 20 children’s films.

First Class passengers will experience Emirates’ ergonomically-designed private First Class suites, featuring privacy screens for maximum exclusivity and massage-enabled seats which convert into flat beds, while Business Class customers will enjoy the comfort of angled lie-flat beds.

The additional flight EK748 will depart Tunis every Tuesday at 1505hrs and arrive in Dubai at 2355 hrs.  The return flight EK747 will depart Dubai at 09:35hrs, arriving in Tunis at 1250hrs.

Currently, Emirates six-weekly flights to Tunis are served by an Airbus A330- 200 aircraft in a three-class configuration.

Already this year, Emirates has launched new routes to Rio and Buenos Aires, Dublin Lusaka, Harare and Dallas. Seattle will follow from 1st March, Ho Chi Minh City from 4th June, Barcelona from 3rd July and Lisbon effective 9th July.