Air Transport

Middle Eastern carrier Emirates is to open non-stop services to Tokyo Narita, complementing its Japanese operation to Osaka.

Emirates is to introduce the five-time weekly service on 28 March next year and fly the route with Boeing 777-300ERs.

The aircraft will be configured with eight first-class, 42 business-class and 304 economy-class seats.

"We have always stated our desire to expand our links with Japan, a market we are extensively committed to," says Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum.

Japan Airlines will codeshare on the link. Tokyo will bring Emirates' international network to 102 destinations.

Rival Gulf carrier Etihad Airways is planning to open two Japanese connections - Tokyo and Nagoya - next year.