DUBAI, 26 February 2008 — Emirates airline yesterday announced that it would launch six-weekly nonstop services to the south Indian city of Kozhikode (Calicut), from July 1. “Kozhikode and the state of Kerala have a long-standing trade relationship with the Arabian Peninsula that extends back into history. We are delighted to be able to provide a nonstop air link between Dubai and Kozhikode, which will help increase trade opportunities, and also make it more convenient for the large nonresident Indian community in the Gulf to visit their families and friends” Sheikh Ahmed ibn Saeed Al-Maktoum, chairman and chief executive of Emirates Airline and Group, said in a statement. Air Arabia, the first budget airline in the Gulf, will start its services to Kozhikode sector today (Feb. 26).