Emirates has announced plans to start a daily service to Bologna, Italy operated by a B777-300ER from 3rd November 2015. The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna will be Emirates’ fourth Italian destination bringing Emirates’ weekly flights to Italy to 56.

Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said: “The addition of a fourth Italian gateway is another new and exciting development for Emirates. We have been committed to Italy for over 23 years and in that time we have played an important role in increasing opportunities for business and tourism across the country, thanks to our convenient connections to over 49 destinations in the Far East, Middle East and Africa. As the industrial epicentre of Italy we expect to see strong demand from both the passenger and cargo side of our business, taking advantage of convenient access to our extensive network in the East including our home, Dubai, one of the fastest growing economic centres in the world,” added Antinori.

Enrico Postacchini, chairman of Aeroporto di Bologna (AdB), said: “We are very proud to have Emirates fly to Bologna from November this year. The airline’s top-class service enables us to connect our dynamic territory, rich of both artistic heritage and economic and entrepreneurial spirit, with Dubai, the perfect gateway for access to Emirates’ network in Asia and Africa.”

Nazareno Ventola, managing director of AdB, said: “This new partnership between Emirates and Bologna Airport enhances Marconi Airport’s positioning as the fourth largest in Italy, in regards to global connectivity. This new flight offers the over 47,000 local businesses, operating in key domestic sectors and managing export volume of more than 26 billion Euros per year, comfortable and timely access to over 50 Far Eastern, Middle Eastern and African destinations.”