Emirates is set to increase capacity on its Zambia and Zimbabwe route with the deployment of a larger B777-300ER aircraft from 1 February 2016, replacing the current Airbus A340-300. Businesses and traders will benefit from the aircraft’s larger belly-hold to carry cargo, offering 23 tonnes of capacity per flight to support the two countries’ exports such as vegetables and flowers, and imports ranging from pharmaceuticals to mining equipment.

The move is aimed at “meeting growing demand on the route, not just outbound from Zimbabwe and Zambia, but also inbound from the US, UK and Australia, as we continue to build and strengthen trade and tourism links between Zimbabwe and Zambia with markets in the rest of Emirates’ extensive global network,” said Orhan Abbas, Emirates senior VP, commercial operations, Latin America, Central and Southern Africa.

Popular destinations for both Zambian and Zimbabwean travellers include Dubai, London, Beijing, New York, Hong Kong, Manchester and Delhi, amongst others.

The deployment of the aircraft on the Lusaka and Harare route also makes Emirates’ southern Africa network an all B777 operation, with flights to Durban, Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, and Luanda in Angola, highlighting the importance of the region with a growing and vibrant tourism and business sector.