Dubai’s First Low Cost Airline Takes Off

DUBAI, June 16 /PRNewswire/ –

– flydubai Begins Commercial Operations With Flights to Four Destinations
in Nine Days

flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, became a reality on Monday,
June 1, 2009, when its first commercial flight took off.

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The first flight, which was to the Lebanese capital, Beirut, was closely
followed by flights to Amman, Jordan, on June 2, Damascus, Syria, on June 8
and Alexandria, Egypt, on June 9, giving the new airline a total of four
destinations in just nine days.

Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai said: “This
region is very dependant on air transport. It is a great credit to the vision
and leadership of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and
Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, that this airline has now taken
off, thereby ensuring residents and visitors alike will be able to travel to
more places more often.”

The flydubai model is simple, with customers only paying for the services
they want. The ticket price includes all taxes and one piece of hand baggage,
weighing up to 10kg, per passenger.

Passengers have the option to purchase checked-in baggage in advance at
just 40AED for the first piece and 100AED for the second, weighing up to
32kgs, subject to availability. Checked baggage is strictly subject to
availability and passengers are advised to book early to secure the space, as
only pre-purchased baggage can be guaranteed.

A nominal payment of 5AED allows customers to select their seat and just
50AED secures the extra legroom positions. Tickets are changeable for a small
fee, plus any difference in the fare, and food and drink can be purchased on
board.

“flydubai aims to make travel a little less complex, a little less
stressful and a little less expensive,” explained flydubai’s CEO Ghaith Al
Ghaith. “Our passengers have the option to customise their travel experience
depending on what services they want and how much they want to pay.

“We plan to stimulate the markets in which we operate and encourage
people to travel to more places more often. flydubai’s aim is not to drive
traffic away from the other carriers but to help grow these markets. When you
consider that low cost travel in this region could be as little as 2% of all
air travel, as opposed to more than 20% in Europe and America, it is clear
that there is a lot of untapped potential in these markets.

“In addition, flydubai will fly to airports that are currently
underserved by the traditional carriers. In a region which is so dependant on
air transport, we are looking forward to providing the reality of accessible,
low cost, uncomplicated travel.”

flydubai operates from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 on the north
side of Dubai International Airport. Customers can book their flights via the
website, http://www.flydubai.com, the call centre, +9714 3010800, through
travel agents and branches of Emirates Post and Emirates NBD.

    Heather Redpath
    Public Relations Manager
    flydubai
    Tel: +9714-7085744
    Mob: +9715-09508420
    Email: heather.redpath@flydubai.com

SOURCE flydubai