flydubai scores a hat trick in Iraq with start of flights to Baghdad
flydubai, Dubai's pioneering low cost airline, added to its expanding network yesterday with the start of flights to Baghdad, Iraq
Wednesday, January 18, 2012 — flydubai, Dubai's pioneering low cost airline, added to its expanding network yesterday with the start of flights to Baghdad, Iraq.
flydubai's inaugural flight, FZ215, took off from Dubai Terminal 2 at 1355hrs yesterday, landing at Baghdad International Airport at 1545hrs. In addition to Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, the four-times weekly flight to Baghdad increases flydubai's presence in Iraq to three cities. Flights to Najaf, flydubai's fourth Iraqi point, will start on Sunday, 29 January.
flydubai's CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: "I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the Iraqi authorities. Thanks to their strong support, flydubai now serves three major cities in Iraq, with another, Najaf, to follow later this month. Our new route will provide travellers between Baghdad and Dubai a quality, affordable option that will help to boost business and trade, and reinforce existing ties between the two countries."
According to Iraqi Government figures, UAE and Iraq trade is currently worth US$6.5 billion, up from US$5 billion in 2009 and predicted to rise to US$7 billion in 2012. The commercial exchange between the UAE and Iraq includes all industrial, agricultural, food and service products, with around 24 Emirati companies currently operating in Iraq in the investment, housing and food processing sectors.
The Iraqi capital city Baghdad has undergone major reconstruction in recent years and is developing key industries such as energy, construction, retail and agriculture with the help of foreign investment and expertise. As a consequence, business travel is expected to be the main revenue generator for flydubai's new Baghdad route.
Flight Details
Flights to Baghdad will operate four times a week on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 17 January 2012. FZ215 is scheduled to depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 1355hrs, landing in Baghdad International Airport at 1545hrs local time. The return flight, FZ216, departs at 1645hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2005hrs. One way fares from Dubai to Baghdad start at AED 1,230, with fares from Baghdad to Dubai starting at $315
The fares include one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag plus 20kg checked baggage. A seat with extra legroom costs AED100.
Flights between Dubai and Baghdad can be purchased from flydubai's website (www.flydubai.com), its call centre (+971 4231 1000) and through travel partners.
