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Dubai-based airline Emirates has announced its plans for expansion in 2009. The planned expansion includes a 14 per cent increase in the number of flights across its world wide network by the end of 2009. Emirates also plans to increase its fleet with 18 new passenger aircraft, including four Airbus A380s, with a further seven to follow in the 2009-10 financial year. New flights from Dubai to Durban in South Africa, to start in October, are among major route developments that will see Emirates focus on the Middle East and Africa as its key regions. Emirates will expand its current range flights from Dubai to Brisbane, Los Angeles, Melbourne and San Francisco as its new aircraft come into service. Emirates chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum commented on the airline's strategy for 2009: 'We will concentrate on strengthening our presence on routes where there is a greater demand from our customers. 'All of our new capacity will be deployed in markets where we see growth potential, particularly Africa and the Middle East. ' There was an 11 per cent increase in Emirates customers passing through Dubai International Airport last year, to around 22 million.
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