flydubai says salaam to Sohag

Inaugural flight FZ191 landed in the Egyptian city this morning from Dubai’s Terminal 2.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “Dubai and Egypt have forged a strong relationship over the years and we remain committed to strengthening our cultural and trade links. With its treasure-trove of religious, cultural and historic attractions, Sohag is an undiscovered cultural gem and we hope the new route will raise Sohag’s profile in the UAE and the wider GCC.” 

Sohag is flydubai’s third destination in Egypt, following Alexandria and Luxor, replacing flydubai’s Assiut route in response to consumer demand. The city holds a special place in Egypt’s cultural history as the birth-place of a number of literary and cultural icons including well-known Qur’anic reciter Sheikh Mohamed Siddiq El-Minshawi; writer and poet Omar Taher, as well as actors Youssef Wahbi, George Sidhom, Emad Hamdy and Nadia Lutfi.

The area surrounding Sohag boasts of a number of archaeological sites which have been experiencing increasing international attention over the past few years. In response to burgeoning international interest, Sohag is also gearing up for the imminent unveiling of the new Sohag Museum, which will display local antiquities, including those from ongoing excavations of the temple of Ramses II in Akhmim.

A one-way fare to Sohag from Dubai starts from AED 420, including one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. Checked baggage starts at AED50 for 20kgs. A seat with extra legroom costs AED100. Flights from Sohag to Dubai start at AED 540.

Flights between Dubai and Sohag can be purchased from flydubai’s website (www.flydubai.com), its call centre (+9714 301 0800) and through travel partners.

Facts about Sohag:

• It is one of the major Coptic Christian areas of Upper Egypt and is home to mummies dating back to the Roman era.
• Site of the famous the White and Red Monasteries, Sidi Arif mosque, El-Farshuti Mosque , 11m-high statue of Meret Amun and a temple built for the goddess Repyt by Ptolemy XV Caesarion, it has religious, historical and cultural relevance.
• Sohag has a history of producing some of Egypt’s most famous personalities; from Sufi saint Dhul-Nun Al-Misri to business pioneer Naguib Sawiris, who founded Orascom to movie stars and literary icons.
• The Sohag Museum will contain about 5000 artifacts gathered from around the Sohag governorate, including items stretching from the Middle Kingdom to Greco-Roman times.
• Highly-respected in academic circles thanks to its high literacy rate and the reputed Sohag university.