Emirates has added a new flight route to Miami in a sign that air travel is recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Dubai-based airline announced on Thursday that it will begin four weekly flights to and from the southeastern US city beginning on July 22. This will bring the current number of US destinations in Emirates’ network to 12, according to a press release.
Miami, located in the US state of Florida, is a popular tourist and business destination. It is unique among US cities in that the use of the Spanish language is widespread and it is sometimes called the “capital of Latin America.” Emirates’ CEO and chairman said that there is a strong demand for the Miami route, including from people who want to visit Dubai from Latin America.
“There is a clear demand for this service from both leisure and business travellers and we anticipate that our new route will be warmly received across our global network, as well as by travellers in Southern Florida, South America and the Caribbean,” Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said in the statement.
Emirates briefly suspended flights last year at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, but has largely rebuilt its network at this point, flying to more than 100 destinations worldwide. Like other Gulf airlines, Emirates experienced significant revenue losses in 2020.
Dubai also reopened for tourism last summer. Some reimposed restrictions on gatherings early this year due to the virus were lifted in May.
The Miami route is not a resumption and this is the first time Emirates has offered direct flights from Dubai to the city.
Emirates’ competitor Qatar Airways also offers flights to Miami.
