flydubai Reaches Syrian Skies
Just one week after its inaugural commercial flight, flydubai, Dubai’s first low-cost airline, added a third operational destination to its network
Tuesday, June 9, 2009 — Just one week after its inaugural commercial flight, flydubai, Dubai’s first low-cost airline, added a third operational destination to its network on Monday, June 8, when the airline’s first flight to Syria took off for Damascus International Airport.
Flight FZ229, which is a daily service, took off from Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 2 at 1910 hrs, and landed in Damascus 3 hours and 20 minutes later at 2130 hrs local time.
The latest addition follows the successful launch of flydubai’s first two routes to Beirut and Amman on June 1 and 2 respectively
The new route extends flydubai’s reach to Lebanon, Jordan and Syria.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, who was on board the inaugural flight, said: “flydubai was set up by the government of Dubai to ensure more people would be able to travel to more destinations more often. By adding Damascus to our route network today, we are broadening the choice of destinations that people can travel to with our fair fares.”
“flydubai is setting a new standard in budget travel in the Middle East, by making travel a little less complex, a little less stressful and a little less expensive.
“We are delighted to have been able to begin commercial flights to Damascus tonight and we offer our thanks to the authorities who have worked with us to ensure this day became a reality.”
H.E. Salem Issa Al-kattam Al Zaabi, UAE Ambassador to Syria said: “There is a significant number of Syrian residents living and working in the UAE so we are delighted that flydubai has begun commercial flights from Dubai to Damascus. This ensures both nationals of the UAE and Syria have the choice of low cost travel between our countries and makes it possible for them to visit their friends and relatives more often
“Our two countries have a great deal to offer both the business and leisure traveler, and the advent of affordable, easily accessible flights with flydubai is good news for us all.”
At the Farnborough Airshow last year, flydubai placed an order for 50 Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, in a deal worth around US$4 billion. Each carries 189 passengers and has a range of over 5,500 kilometres.
The daily 2,000km Damascus to Dubai flight is timetabled to leave at 2215 hrs local time and will arrive in Dubai at 0225 hrs.
More routes will be announced shortly.
The flydubai model is simple, with customers paying for the services they want. The ticket price includes all taxes and a generous hand baggage allowance of 10kg. From there, customers are able to select other services at an additional charge.
flydubai operates from an enhanced and modernised Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport.
Customers wishing to book their flights with flydubai can do so via the internet at www.flydubai.com, through the call centre on +9714 3010800, or at their nearest branch of Emirates Post.
