UAE-based Emirates airlines has said that India is their largest market outside Dubai.
Though the airline has operations in major countries of the world, India is the most confident market outside the home city, a top airline official said here.
"India is the largest market for Emirates outside Dubai.
West Asia and Indian Ocean region, which includes India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mauritius and Seychelles, account for 12 per cent of our revenue", Orhan Abbas, Vice President India
and Nepal, Emirates Airline, told reporters here.
He said corporate travel, which was down by almost 50 per cent last year "is back with a vengeance this year. India is always of interest to us. India is the first country which has
bounced back (from the economic recession) stronger on its feet."
Abbas also said major cities in countries like US, South Africa, Amsterdam, Zurich, Madrid and Prague were emerging as new interesting markets for the airline.
He said Emirates has launched an online system to obtain a UAE visa especially for Indian passengers.
Passengers can apply for the visa by logging on to 'manage a booking' section on Emirates.com. They can upload the requisite documents including passport biopage, photograph
and proof of residence and then track the status of their application, Abbas said.
Under the new visa application procedure, a 96-hour visa will cost Rs 1980 (USD 44) plus about Rs 765 (USD 17) service fee and any applicable sales taxes. A 30-day visa will cost Rs
2565 (USD 57) plus about Rs 765 (USD 17) service fee and any applicable sales taxes. Additionally, a deposit of Rs 12,262 (USD 272.50) is mandatory which is refundable after exit from Dubai, he said.
Emirates is also offering economy class return fare from Dubai at Rs 13,990 till June 18, 2010.
Schemes like ticket booking through mobile phones, 'Kids Go Free', Dubai stopover and complimentary stay for first and business class passengers would also attract air passengers, Abbas said.
The 'Kids Go Free' offer enables two children upto age of 16 to enjoy free flights, tourist visa, three or five star accomodation, meals, rides in Dubai metro, airport transfers
and access to numerous attractions in Dubai when accompanied by two paying adults.
The airline would also offer special packages to South Africa for the coming FIFA World Cup 2010, he said.
Emirates operates 184 weekly flights to 10 destinations in India. The airline, which posted a net profit of USD 964 million for the year 2009-10 as against USD 187 million in 2008-09, flies to 102 destinations in 62 countries globally.