Emirates' extensive African network is to be boosted again with the launch of 2 new destinations - Lusaka, the capital of Zambia, and Harare, the capital city of Zimbabwe, with a 5 times weekly flight from Dubai, starting from 1st February 2012. A must-see for any visitor to Zambia or Zimbabwe is the Victoria Falls, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The 1.7 km wide natural wonder cascades for over 100 metres, making the Falls the largest curtain of water in the world. Both countries also boast a wealth of other breathtaking sights, including world-class national safari parks. "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," said His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, Chairman and CEO, Emirates Airline & Group. The Dubai-Lusaka-Harare service will be operated by an A330-200 aircraft. Starting 1st February 2012, EK 713 will depart Dubai on every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 0925hrs, arriving in Lusaka at 1450hrs. The service will depart Lusaka at 1620hrs, arriving in Harare at 1720. The return flight leaves Harare at 1920, arriving Lusaka at 2020. It departs Lusaka at 2150 and lands in Dubai at 0710hrs the next day. A bellyhold capacity of 16 tonnes will support the import and export of a diverse range of commodities, such as machinery, clothing, computer parts, and pharmaceuticals. These goods will arrive from markets like the UAE, South East Asia, the Indian Subcontinent and Europe. Fresh flowers, fruit and vegetables will be exported - heading to destinations including Europe, China, Saudi Arabia and South Korea. Africa was one of only two continents to record economic growth during the recent global downturn and its growth rate is likely to exceed 5 per cent this year, according to the Harvard Business Review. With a collective Gross Domestic Product now roughly equal to that of Brazil or Russia, Relative Market Growth Index forecasts indicate that Africa's combined revenue could grow by approximately $1 trillion by 2020.The number of households with discretionary income is projected to rise by 50 percent over the next 10 years. Emirates currently serves 19 passenger and cargo destinations across the African continent.(mar)