The Dubai-based Emirates Airline has been prospecting the Romanian market in the last months and will start to operate flights between Bucharest and Dubai by the end of this year, sources from the tourism sector told local news agency Mediafax.

Over the last few months, company officials met with representatives of several travel agencies in Romania and with management officials of the Otopeni airport in Bucharest, announcing the company's intention to operate flights on Bucharest-Dubai route.

With a fleet of more than 220 aircraft, Emirates currently operates flights to over 140 destinations in more than 80 countries around the world. Over 1,500 Emirates flights depart Dubai each week on their way to destinations on six continents.

In the financial year 2013/2014, Emirates carried 44.5 million passengers and 2.25 million tonnes of cargo.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com

(photo source: Emirates on Facebook)