Modernity meets antiquity as flydubai completes inaugural flight to Kabul
flydubai’s expansion of quality, great value air travel continues apace with today’s announcement that Dubai’s first low cost airline has successfully completed its inaugural flight to Kabul
Monday, May 17, 2010 — flydubai’s expansion of quality, great value air travel continues apace with today’s announcement that Dubai’s first low cost airline has successfully completed its inaugural flight to Kabul.
Departing Terminal 2 at 0200 hours, flydubai FZ301 landed safely and on schedule in the Afghan capital at 0850hrs local time, carrying a delegation of UAE dignitaries and VIPs including the UAE Ambassador to Kabul, His Excellency Yousuf Khamis Saeed Subaa Al Ali and flydubai’s COO Ken Gile.
Passengers and crew completed the 1,688km journey to Kabul on board the airline’s newest aircraft, its eighth since launch, a brand new Boeing 737-800NG.
The ‘Next Generation’ aircraft entered service just days before departure especially to perform flights to flydubai’s 14th destination.
It is the second in the airline’s fleet to come equipped with the latest Goodrich carbon braking technology, making for an even safer and more reliable connection between one of the world’s most modern cities and one of its most ancient.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai’s CEO, said: “flydubai’s inaugural flight to Kabul speaks volumes about the way in which we are growing the region’s aviation sector. Kabul is 3,500 years old while Dubai is very much defined by the modern era. This contrast reflects the UAE’s astonishing position as a global travel hub, bringing the world’s diverse communities to one of its most futuristic and forward-looking countries.”
Al Ghaith added: “The start of flydubai’s service to Kabul is a major expansion for our airline and an important step forward in the reemergence of Afghanistan. flydubai is responding to the need for quality, reliable, safe and low cost air travel between a major historic and cultural centre and the emirate of Dubai, which is home to a substantial Afghan population.”
With an estimated population of 3 million people, Kabul is Afghanistan’s largest city, situated nearly 1,800 metres above sea level in the Hindu Kush mountains. Prized for its strategic location between Central and South Asia, Kabul has endured a turbulent history and has been fought over by countless competing armies. The Islamic conquest reached Kabul in the ninth century and the city became the modern capital of Afghanistan in the 1700s.
flydubai’s inaugural flight to Afghanistan is the first of seven flights to Kabul this week as the airline continues to ramp up its services across the region.
On May 19, the airline start flights to Luxor in Egypt and from May 24, flydubai adds another Egyptian city with its inaugural flight to Assiut, bringing the overall route network to 16 destinations.
Flights from Dubai to Kabul will be daily and are priced from AED725 for a one-way trip including taxes. FZ301 departs Dubai for Kabul at 0450hrs, landing at 0810hrs local time. The return flight, FZ302, leaves Kabul at 0920hrs and arrives in Dubai at 1145hrs local time.
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.
