Dubai-based Emirates will add Mexico city to its extensive international network from December 9 with a linked service through the Spanish city of Barcelona. The new route will be operated with a two-class Emirates Boeing 777-200LR  offering 38 business class seats in a 2-2-2 configuration and 264 seats in Economy Class. READ:  EU marks MH17 anniversary by calling on Russia to accept responsibility. Emirates flight EK 255 will depart Dubai at 03:30 local time, arriving in Barcelona at 08:00 before departing again at 09:55 and arriving into Mexico City at 16:15 on the same day. The return flight EK256 will depart Mexico City at 19:40 local time, arriving in Barcelona the next day at 13:25 before leaving Barcelona 15:10 and arriving at 00:45 the following day. The airline said this would allow convenient onward connections to numerous destinations in India, South East Asia and the Middle East. Emirates president Tim Clark said the high altitude of Mexico City, which is at 2240m,  meant it was not possible to fly to the Mexican capital from Dubai and Barcelona was a natural choice as a stopover. “We are pleased to offer a direct connection on the route between the Spanish city and Mexico City that has long been neglected by other airlines and remains underserved despite the strong customer demand,’’ he said. Sir Tim said the new daily connection between Mexico City and Dubai was essential for the development of tourism, business and cultural ties. “Trade, especially in high-value and time-sensitive products, will be facilitated by the ample cargo capacity on Emirates’ Boeing 777 aircraft,’’ he said. “We also expect tourism to receive a major boost from the daily flights on our newly-refurbished Boeing 777-200LR.” The new flights were welcomed by Mexico’s Minister of Tourism, Miguel Torruco Marqués, who said Emirates was the 43^rd carrier operating international flights into Mexico. "Emirates’ arrival will bring a significant contribution to our international connectivity network by adding up daily services to Dubai and beyond,’’ he said. Mexico City is Emirates’ first port in Mexico and the Gulf carrier expects it to be a popular destination for business and leisure travelers from destinations such as the UAE, Spain, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Egypt and Lebanon. It said Mexico was also home to Middle East communities and Dubai was increasing in popularity with Mexican travelers, with visitor numbers up 32 percent in the first five months of 2019.