DUBAI - Emirates, today announced it is to commence a daily passenger service to Khwaja Rawash Airport, Kabul, Afghanistan from 4th December 2013.

The daily flight to Afghanistan’s capital city will be the first destination in the country which Emirates has served. The route will be operated by an Airbus A340-500 configured in a 3 cabin configuration, 12 first class, 42 business class and 204 economy class seats.

Barry Brown, Emirates’ divisional senior vice president, commercial operations east, said: “Emirates has identified a demand for a premium service airline offering between Dubai and Kabul.

"With this new route Emirates will be able to offer passengers travelling to and from the city excellent global connections via Dubai, combined with the award-winning product and service the airline is renowned for. This includes operating the only First Class cabin between Dubai and Kabul.

“We expect the flight to be particularly popular with corporate business travellers, as well as Afghan nationals returning home to visit friends and family. It will also present a new opportunity for cargo operations to the country, particularly for the shipment of pharmaceuticals, perishable foodstuffs and construction materials.” 

EK 640 will depart Dubai daily at 09.55 hours and arrive in Kabul at 13.15. The return flight, EK 641 will leave Kabul at 15.30 hours and arrive back in Dubai at 18.00.

Kabul will be the 138th destination on the Emirates route network, following shortly after the commencement of services to Clark, Philippines on 1st October, Conakry, Guinea on 27th October and Sialkot, Pakistan on 5th November 2013.