Emirates Airline yesterday announced its plans to launch services to Panama City, taking off on 1st February 2016. The new service will be the longest non-stop flight in the world at 17 hours 35 minutes in the Westbound direction, and will be Emirates' first gateway destination in Central America.

Services to Panama City, Panama's capital and largest city by population, will commence with a daily flight in a 3-class layout. The aircraft will be able to carry up to 15 tonnes of cargo. Key imports to the country include pharmaceuticals, machinery products, iron/steel rods, and electronics. Service to Panama City will operate through Tocumen International Airport, PTY.

"Panama City will be our first destination gateway in Central America, providing a convenient option for our passengers travelling from or through our global hub in Dubai and onward to destinations throughout Central America, the Caribbean and the northern part of South America," said H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of Emirates Group. "We're also pleased to be the only commercial airline to offer a daily, First Class service to travellers on what will be the world's longest non-stop flight."

The Vice President of the Republic of Panama, Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado, said, "It is gratifying to see how diplomatic efforts focused on generating development and prosperity for Panama materialise. New doors to the country will open with a direct connection to the Middle East - a strong and thriving region with great synergies to both Panama and Latin America."

"This new direct flight between Dubai and Panama City will connect Latin America with the Middle East, Asia and Africa," said Eduardo Fonseca Ward, Consul-General of the Republic of Panama, in Dubai. "This link will generate a broader global network with countless commercial and cultural opportunities for the two regions. It has been a pleasure to work with the Emirates team, who have shared the vision of Panama and Dubai as hubs of trade, prosperity and hope."

Later this year, Emirates will be adding a further four routes to its global network, including Mashhad, Iran, Orlando, Florida, Bamako, Mali and Bologna, Italy.
Source: WAM