Emirates, the Dubai-based international airline, has announced a special companion offer on their wide range of passenger services from India to the United Kingdom and mainland Europe via Dubai.

All first-class and business class passengers travelling from India to the UK/Europe via Dubai will be eligible for a complimentary companion ticket in the same class of travel. The offer is valid till March 31, 2005.

This 'companion offer' to UK/Europe, combined with the companion offer and special fares offer to New York, is a 'double treat from Emirates to its passengers for this festive season,' Emirates said in a media release on Tuesday.

In addition to the companion fares offer, first- and business-class passengers can also avail of special discounted fares for return travel to the UK/Europe.

These fares can be purchased from any travel agent and are valid for travel until December 31, 2004.

Announcing the offer, Abdulla Nasser Abdulla Hussain, Emirates' vice president (India & Nepal), said, "The festive season towards the end of the year is always witness to an increase in both inbound and outbound travel. This year, we expect a growth in the number of people opting to travel abroad and the UK and mainland Europe, with their scenic locations and rich history, beckons the Indian traveller to make them holiday destinations." 

Companion Fares till March 31, 2005 (UK)
Route	Business Class	First Class
Mumbai/Delhi to UK	Rs 172,000	Rs 242,450
Chennai to UK	Rs 191,070	Rs 259,755
Hyderabad to UK	Rs 188,205	Rs 258,655
Kochi to UK	Rs 192,835	Rs 263,285

Companion Fares till March 31, 2005 (Europe)
Route	Business Class	First Class
Mumbai/Delhi to Europe	Rs 159,630	Rs 216,730
Chennai to Europe	Rs 179,459	Rs 235,015
Hyderabad to Europe	Rs 175,835	Rs 232,935
Kochi to Europe	Rs 180,465	Rs 237,565

 Emirates' currently operates 43 non-stop weekly flights from India to Dubai with 19 from Mumbai, 7 from Delhi, 8 from Hyderabad, 5 from Kochi and 4 from Chennai.

Emirates offers five UK gateway airports to its passengers: London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow.

In mainland Europe, the airline offers services to a wide range of cities across France, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Malta and Cyprus, Austria and Russia.