The low-cost revolution hits the intra-GCC routes

Posted on 5 October 2009 in Route Planning & Tourism

Dubai low cost carrier flydubai has rocked the regional airline market in the Gulf by announcing today that it is to begin low-cost flights between Gulf states

The airline - a subsidiary of Emirates Airlines group - announced this morning that it will begin operating routes on the highly lucrative intra-GCC market by launching twice daily flights between Dubai and Qatar starting on 18 October. This is the first direct service to be operated  within the GCC by a low cost airline.

HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai, said: “flydubai was established by the Government of Dubai in March 2008 in order to provide a quality service at a reasonable price and thereby make safe, efficient and comfortable flights available to many more people in this region. The importance of low cost intra-GCC flights cannot be underestimated. Our communities are close in many ways and these new flights from flydubai will help to bring us closer in terms of both business and leisure.

“flydubai has worked closely with the Qatari authorities to bring about this announcement and I would like to thank them, and especially H.E. Abdul Aziz Mohd. Al-Noaimi, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, for their hard work and support. I look forward to continuing the long and successful relationship between our two nations with the advent of flydubai’s twice daily service between Dubai and Doha.”

H.E. Abdul Aziz Mohd. Al-Noaimi, Chairman of Qatar Civil Aviation Authority warmly welcomed the new service: “flydubai will be a great addition to the existing flight schedule between Doha and Dubai as it will give so many more people another option when travelling.

“Doha and Dubai are both great examples of successful cities that have gained international recognition. This new service will strengthen our links and help us both maintain our growth well into the future.”

flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “I am delighted to announce another first for flydubai today – the first direct flight between Dubai and Qatar to be operated by a low cost airline. As a low cost airline we will complement other carriers on this route because we will provide a different type of service targeting a different type of customer.

“Both Dubai and Doha are vibrant and busy cities that have also been recognised by the World Economic Forum as the Arab world’s most competitive economies. As business and leisure centres we have a lot in common and we believe there’s enormous potential to grow the market for air travel capacity between Qatar and the UAE. flydubai’s new service is intended to benefit the economies of both the UAE and Qatar and help to increase passenger numbers overall by making air travel more accessible and affordable to a wider group of people.”

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