New low cost airline for Dubai
From "FOH News" on 01 July 2008
Details on its area of operations and brand identity will be revealed in the next few months, however sources talking to OPP believe it will fly to multi-country routes within a five hour radius – taking in India, other GCC countries and south eastern Europe.
"FlyDubai’s operations will potentially cover an area of some two billion inhabitants," said Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, vice president of the UAE and ruler of Dubai who chose the carriers name from a shortlist. "It will support Dubai’s commercial and tourism sectors by serving a new set of travellers, and providing them with affordable air links to popular, high-demand destinations. A lot of ground work has been done thus far, and I’m pleased to note that FlyDubai is on track to launch its first flights by mid-2009.
"FlyDubai will initially focus on regional flights within the GCC area and surrounding countries. Its operations will be entirely separate from Emirates Airline and Group," added the ruler.
Since the announcement in March of the government’s intention to launch a budget airline to attract a different type of tourist and buyer to the country, the airline has been working to recruit new staff, develop an effective route system and establish a pricing strategy.
Ghaith al Ghaith, chief executive, of FlyDubai added: "It has been a busy time, but everything is going to plan. The selection of a name for the airline is only the first of many milestones to come, and we look forward to announcing more details over the coming months purchase and select value-added services to their basic flight experience."
