Emirates is to start a daily non-stop service between Dubai and Prague from 1st July next year.

An A330 will serve the route in direct competition with Prague-based SmartWings, which operates direct charters using a 737. According to BSP data, 22,000 passengers travelled on the route during the September 08-09 period with SmartWings flights taking a 40% market share.

Currently, Emirates passengers wishing to travel to the Czech Republic must connect at other European airports, where Vienna has the highest market share of passengers travelling indirectly on the route. It is also Prague airport's eighth long-distance direct flight connection. Previously, it's been possible to fly direct from Prague to Atlanta, New York, Astana, Novosibirsk, Tashkent, Almaty and Seoul.

Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and CEO, Emirates airline & Group, said: "This embraces a popular European tourist destination and an emerging market. We have been keen to add Prague to our six continent network and now the time is right to start up our 24th European destination."

Emirates is to also add services to Tokyo from 28th March and Amsterdam from 1st May.