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

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,” said Thierry Antinori, Emirates’ executive VP and chief commercial officer.

With the new daily flight to Bologna, Emirates SkyCargo will offer up to 23 tonnes of cargo capacity per day, further supporting Italian exports of cosmetics, construction equipment and machinery, automotive spare parts and handicrafts.

Inbound to Bologna Emirates SkyCargo is expected to carry leather goods, garments, footwear and perishables.

“We are very proud to have Emirates fly to Bologna from November this year,” said Enrico Postacchini, chairman of Aeroporto di Bologna (AdB). “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.

“This new partnership between Emirates and Bologna Airport enhances Marconi Airport’s positioning as the fourth largest in Italy, in regards to global connectivity,” added Nazareno Ventola, Managing Director of AdB.

“This new flight offers the over 47,000 local businesses, operating in key domestic sectors and managing export volume of more than €26 billion per year, comfortable and timely access to over 50 Far Eastern, Middle Eastern and African destinations.”