Emirates’ is boosting its extensive African network with the launch of two new destinations – Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, and Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe.

Zambia and Zimbabwe, which share a border with Victoria Falls, will be linked with five flights per week from Dubai, starting from February 1.

“Emirates has long understood the enormous potential of Africa, which today is one of the fastest-expanding economic regions of the world, benefitting from a combined market of over one billion people, rising consumer demand and an abundance of natural resources,” said Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group.

“Zambia and Zimbabwe will be our 20th and 21st African destinations and their addition to our global network will enable us to provide new flexibility and choice for customers, help to grow trade routes and create important new inbound and outbound markets for tourism,” he added.

Starting February 1, EK 713 will depart Dubai every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 9.25 a.m., arriving in Lusaka at 2.50 p.m. The service will depart Lusaka at 4.20 p.m., arriving in Harare at 5.20 p.m.

The return flight leaves Harare at 7.20 p.m., arriving in Lusaka at 8.20 p.m. It departs Lusaka at 9.50 p.m. and lands in Dubai at 7.10 a.m. the next day.

Emirates operates flights on a daily schedule from Malta to Dubai via Larnaka, Cyprus.