According to the statement, these flights will be operated by Airbus A340-300 with a configuration of 3 classes (1-era, business and economy).

‘‘Emirates flight 979 will depart Dubai at 9am 55 and arrive at the Léopold Sédar Senghor International Airport in Dakar at 16h on the same day,’’ the statement said. It added, ‘‘the return flight from Dakar at 17h is expected to arrive in Dubai at 7 15 the next morning.’’

Emirates Airlines, among the world’s fastest growing airlines, is a subsidiary of The Emirates Group. It is the national airline of the United Arab Emirates in the Middle East, operating over 2000 passenger flights a week from its base at Dubai International Airport. Senegal will become it 106th destinations in 60th country it covers across six continents.

By opening a route to Senegal, Emirates offers Senegal the rewarding opportunity to its vast network across the world. Accordingly, Dakar is its 19th destination in Africa.

''This news confirms our commitment to Africa, as we seek to continuously strengthen our presence on this continent,'' Emirates Group chairman, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, was quoted in the statement.

''There is a significant boost for trade, commerce and the tourism industry between our two countries,'' Karim Wade, Senegal’s Minister of International Cooperation, Spatial Planning, Air Transport and Infrastructure, was quoted at the signing of landmark agreement, which brings into existence the first ever direct connection between Senegal and the United Arab Emirates.

“I am proud that Senegal continues to forge new links with the United Arab Emirates. Just as our countries share an ‘open skies’ agreement, so we also share a strong tradition of hospitality and Senegal looks forward to extending a warm welcome to Emirates and all its customers,” Wade said.

Last November, the Middle Eastern group announced a joint agreement with the Government of Senegal to help start Senegal Airlines, after the demise of the defunct Air Senegal. That agreement entails a long term support for the new Senegalese national carrier from Emirates.

Dakar is said to be the airline’s third new destination in less than 12 months, after Durban in South Africa and Luanda in Angola, both of which joined the network in late 2009.