Mumbai: High-Tech Emirates Airbus A350 Makes First-Ever Landing In India At CSMIA

Mumbai: Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport welcomed India’s first Emirates' Airbus A350 aircraft on Republic Day. The airline's newest aircraft will feature several industry-first technologies and will operate daily on the Mumbai-Dubai route.

The Emirates A350 made its debut in India on 26 January to Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The Airbus A350 now serves five destinations in the airline's network. The aircraft is known for its latest interiors, innovation and industry-first technologies. Upon the first touchdown of Emirates’ A350, the pilots waved Indian and UAE flags inside the cockpit as a symbol of unity in the sky.

The roll out of A350 aircraft to India reinforces Emirates’ commitment to customers in India and beyond, and offers exceptional levels of comforts onboard, said an official spokesperson of Emirates.

Emirates’ A350 services to both Mumbai and Ahmedabad will operate on daily basis. The Emirates A350 will operate daily on EK502 and EK503. EK502 routes, departing from Dubai at 1.15pm and arriving in Mumbai at 5.50pm. The return flight, EK503 will leave Mumbai at 7.20pm and reach Dubai at 9.05pm.

Similarly, the flight connecting Dubai to Ahmedabad will operate the route daily on EK538 and EK539. EK538, departing from Dubai at 10.50pm, arriving in Ahmedabad at 02.55am. The return flight EK539 will depart Ahmedabad at 4.025am to arrive back in Dubai at 6.15am.

The highly-anticipated launch of Emirates’ A350 services to the two Indian points follows the launch of operations to Edinburgh, Kuwait and Bahrain. The airline also currently serves Mumbai and Bangalore with daily services on its flagship A380 aircraft, offering customers a choice of four cabin classes, including the signature Premium Economy experience. Emirates services nine points in India with 167 flights per week.

Notably, Mumbai has the largest traffic outflow and inflow with Dubai as 18.21 lakh passengers travelled between these two cities from January to September 2024. Over 3lakh passengers flew from Dubai to Mumbai in the first quarter of 2024 along with 3.29lakh flying to Dubai.

In the second quarter, 2.99lakh people flew from Dubai to Mumbai and over 3lakh people flew back. Similarly, 2.74lakh people flew in to Mumbai Airport while 3.10lakh people flew to Dubai in the third quarter of 2024.