flydubai highlights increased connectivity, trade and tourism links during trip to India

Tourism between India and the UAE and the rest of the flydubai network continues to drive demand for travel. There has been consistent and positive growth of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) from the Middle East to India over the last three years as investment, tourism and trade ties continue to strengthen between the two regions.

Commenting at the start of the trip, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said: "We are thankful to the Indian authorities for providing us with the opportunity to deliver more options to passengers who are looking to travel between India and the UAE. The interest in this delegation reflects the increasing levels of investment, trade and tourism between the two business-friendly countries and the flydubai network highlighting the importance of improving connectivity. We look forward to working closely with the authorities going forward."

India and the UAE have enjoyed warm historical relations and have been long-term dynamic partners in the trade and economic sector. In 2013, India became the top trading partner of Dubai with a trade volume of US$37 billion. The UAE is also India's top export destination, accounting for more than 10 per cent of its tangible exports.

Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President, Commercial (GCC, Subcontinent and Africa) for flydubai said: "Tourism, investment and trade between India and the UAE are important economic drivers. Since we started flying to India in 2010 there has been strong demand for our flights. When we announced the start of our flights to the three new destinations in India bookings were made within a few minutes. We are delighted to be able to provide more choice for our passengers."

During the trip to India, flydubai hosted representatives from the Russian and Middle Eastern media to showcase India as a key destination within its network. His Excellency Mohamed Sultan Abdalla Al Owais together with business leaders attended a dinner in Delhi to mark the start of the new flights.

At the dinner, flydubai created a show kitchen featuring a wide range of culinary flavours and created an art gallery with pictures of the many hidden gems from across its network.

In line with increased demand for business travel to and from India, flydubai also displayed its Business Class seats. Business Class will be available on all three new routes in India giving passengers the option of a more personalised flying experience on the ground and in the air.

flydubai's cargo volumes continue to increase carrying a wide range of goods. The airline regularly carries pharmaceuticals, mobile phones, perishables and garments from all destinations in India across its network to the Middle East, Africa, Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe and Russia.

flydubai operates a fleet of 36 new Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft. India becomes the third largest country that flydubai operates to by number of points and includes: Ahmedabad, Delhi, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Kochi and Thiruvananthapurum. The airline has built a network of 74 destinations, 48 of which were previously underserved markets from Dubai including Armenia, Iraq, Kabul, Georgia, Romania, Serbia and Kazan and Ufa in Russia.