Emirates to sweeten up your flight with Holi surprises

Dubai - Airline expects to serve 35,000 gujiyas to passengers.

Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates on Wednesday announced a special treat for travellers flying during the festival of Holi.

To mark the auspicious occasion, which embraces unity, diversity and traditions, Emirates customers traveling on March 20 and 21 between Dubai and Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chennai or Hyderabad, will enjoy classic Indian sweets and delicacies associated with Holi. Widely known as the country's 'festival of colours', Holi is one of India's most distinguished annual celebrations.

During the festival week, Emirates' Indian passengers in all classes will receive a specially-designed 'Happy Holi' box which will include one of the festival's staple desserts, gujiya, a crescent-shaped deep-fried dumpling filled with sweetened semolina, mawa, toasted coconut, dried fruits and nuts. The airline expects to serve over 35,000 pieces of these intricately handmade desserts during over the next two days. A saffron flavoured Gujiya, kesar Gujiya, will also be offered to passengers at Emirates' premium lounge in Delhi along with dahi bhalle, another significant Indian delicacy made of fried lentil balls dipped in sweetened curd then topped with tamarind and green mint chutney.

"We know how important Holi is to our Indian passengers and the role food plays in such festivals, evoking nostalgia and a sense of unity. We simply wanted to bring the comforts of home to those travelling during that time and add to their Holi celebrations. Emirates wishes all Indians a very happy and colourful Holi," said Essa Suleiman, Emirates' Vice President, India & Nepal.

Emirates develops seasonal menus where possible to cater to its cosmopolitan customer base. In addition to Holi, the airline serves a Christmas menu in December, Lunar Year Delights in January, special treats during Oktoberfest, Easter and Diwali, and specially created boxes for those fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

• Dubai