Kolkata-Dubai flights operated by Emirates have received a service upgrade with the introduction of the airline’s Airbus A350-900 at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, alongside an increase in weekly flights from 11 to 12.
The aircraft landed at the Kolkata airport on Sunday and was welcomed by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) with a traditional water-cannon salute. The airport authority announced the arrival through a post on X.
Kolkata airport director Vikram Singh welcomed the aircraft and the additional service, saying the development reflected growing passenger demand and would improve eastern India’s international connectivity. He also extended his wishes to Emirates and its passengers.
The increase gives travellers using the Kolkata-Dubai route an additional weekly option. Dubai is a major international transit hub for passengers from eastern India travelling onward to destinations in Europe and the United States. The higher frequency is therefore relevant not only to passengers travelling to the United Arab Emirates but also to those connecting through Dubai.
Emirates introduced the Airbus A350-900 to its fleet in November 2024. Before that, the airline had operated its services for 16 years using Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft. After Mumbai and Ahmedabad, Kolkata has become one of the airline’s prominent Indian destinations to receive the new-generation aircraft.
The wide-body aircraft uses carbon-fibre composites and Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. According to the information released with the service announcement, the aircraft consumes 25% less fuel and produces 25% lower carbon emissions than comparable older-generation aircraft.
The aircraft configured for the route has 312 seats, including 32 business-class seats, 259 economy-class seats and 21 premium-economy seats. Emirates has also highlighted features intended to improve comfort on longer journeys, including higher ceilings, wider seats and lower engine noise inside the cabin.
The aircraft deployment and additional weekly flight come as Kolkata’s role as an international gateway for eastern India continues to depend on the availability, frequency and capacity of long-haul connections. The airport authority’s statement linked the new service directly to passenger demand and regional connectivity.
With the Airbus A350 now operating on the route, Emirates’ Kolkata-Dubai schedule stands at 12 weekly flights. The airport and airline have not announced any further schedule changes in the information supplied.
