Accra, Dec. 2, GNA- Emirates Airlines, the official carrier of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) would begin flights from Dubai to Accra next January.

The flights would be four times a week from January 2.

The airline will also fly to Lagos, Nigeria, a new dimension believed to "boost trade between the two regions as well as increase trade traffic between the two countries," Mr Nasser Bin Kherbash, Vice President of Emirates Air, Middle East and Africa said in a statement issued in Accra on Tuesday.

"The new route will offer customers a direct connection between the Gulf and West Africa, a situation that has not existed for a long time but is sure to fill the void in the Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday Flights."

He described Accra as a stepping stone in the sub-region," especially considering the fact that we intend to go to Senegal or Cote d'Ivoire from here".

The statement said details of Emirates' operation would be announced at a news conference this week.

It said the maiden arrival flight on New Year's Day, would make Accra the airlines 73rd destination and the 10th in Africa.

This comes at the heels of the maiden flight to Nigeria earlier the same day.

The airline has been operating out of eight airports in North and East Africa since 1986 after its establishment in 1985.