flydubai does the double with flights to Istanbul and Assiut
Just two weeks after launching a brace of GCC routes with flights to Muscat and Kuwait City, flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, has announced a further two routes – Assiut in Egypt and Istanbul, Turkey
Sunday, April 11, 2010 — Just two weeks after launching a brace of GCC routes with flights to Muscat and Kuwait City, flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, has announced a further two routes – Assiut in Egypt and Istanbul, Turkey – to bring the airline’s network to 15 destinations.
Priced from just AED350, flights to Assiut, the largest town in Upper Egypt, are three times per week and start on Monday, May 24.
Travellers will be able to visit Istanbul, European Capital of Culture 2010, with flydubai’s uncomplicated, low fare service for as little as AED450 from Thursday, June 17. Flights to Istanbul will be five times per week.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai said: “The addition of these new routes is in line with our commitment to make travel to key destinations in this region more accessible and more affordable.
“These two routes are excellent examples of the type of destinations flydubai is committed to serving. Assiut currently has very few direct links to the UAE, so by offering this destination we are fulfilling our promise to make travel a little less complex, a little less stressful and a little less expensive.
“Although Istanbul is well known to many there is such a demand for short breaks to the city and to the country in general that we anticipate strong demand for our quality, low cost service.”
The largest town in southern Egypt, Assiut is known for its agriculture, especially grain and cotton. It is also home to one of the country’s largest universities and has much to offer tourists. Steeped in heritage, Assiut was founded in the Pharaonic era and is located 400km south of Cairo.
flydubai’s new service to Istanbul will allow even more travellers from the Gulf to enjoy the stimulating diversity of Turkey’s most famous city, and it will contribute to the growing trade relationship between Turkey and the UAE, valued at around US$9 billion.
Bookings are now open and flights can be purchased on flydubai’s website (flydubai.com), through the call centre (04 301 0800) and from travel agents.
The flydubai model is simple, with customers paying only for the services they want to receive. 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 AED60 for the first piece and AED150 for the second, weighing up to 32kgs, subject to availability. Checked baggage at the airport is also strictly subject to availability and passengers are advised to book online early to secure the space, as only pre-purchased baggage can be guaranteed.
A nominal payment of AED5 allows customers to select their seat and just AED100 secures the extra legroom positions. Bookings can be changed for a small fee, plus any difference in the fare, and food and drink can be purchased on board.
flydubai operates from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport.
