Flydubai to launch services to Krakow and Catania

Flydubai will launch two new European routes for next year - flights to Krakow will start on 08 April 2018 and flights to Catania will start on 13 June 2018.
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Flydubai becomes the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights to these destinations, offering daily flights. With the launch of these new European routes, flydubai’s network grows to over 100 destinations in 47 countries.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of Flydubai, said: “With the launch of flights to Krakow and Catania, Flydubai is committed to open up new direct air links to Dubai and we strive to expand our network to offer our passengers more choice. Our latest route launches are testament to that commitment and demonstrate our efforts in offering our passengers more options to explore our network especially as we see more connecting traffic onto our network as a result of our interline and codeshare agreements.”

Flights to Krakow will start in April 2018 and will further grow the carrier’s Eastern and Central European network, which includes Belgrade, Bratislava, Bucharest, Prague, Skopje, Sarajevo and Sofia. flydubai’s European network includes 24 destinations. Krakow is known for its scenic old town, featuring the city’s well preserved medieval core where visitors can enjoy a walk around the remains of the city walls or Poland’s largest city park: Planty.

Emirates will codeshare on both routes and as part of the Emirates Flydubai partnership.

Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President Commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS) at flydubai, added: “flydubai will be the first UAE carrier to offer direct flights to Krakow and Catania and we are excited to start operations to the South of Europe for the first time. We have seen increasing demand for our summer destinations this year, so we decided to expand our offering with these new routes. We look forward to start the flights to Krakow and Catania and the new opportunities the new routes will provide for trade and tourism.”

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: Flydubai's foray into Europe doesn't come as a surprise. With the added range and payload capability of its new fuel efficient 737 MAX 8 fleet, the airline was always destined to broaden its reach deeper into Europe and beyond. 

“With the first few 737MAXs now being integrated into the fleet, flydubai will be further enabled to allow passengers to better connect via Dubai International and Emirates for onward flights on the latter's expansive network.

“As flydubai ingests more 737MAXs, coupled with its colossal deal at last months air show for up to 225 more airplanes, the airline will further pressurise competitors like Air Arabia who are now being left behind as flydubai's aggressive and relentless organic growth feeds their bottom line and helps to bolster revenue.”

Ahmad added: “It's a great move to enter Italy and poland and its evident that passengers will benefit greatly from new gateways that would likely not have been offered otherwise.”