“The sky is the limit for Africa”: flydubai CEO
Business and Tourism set to rise as flydubai debuts route to Addis Ababa
Friday, April 22, 2011 — flydubai, one of the world’s fastest growing airlines, further expanded its presence in Africa today by inaugurating its seventh route to the continent.
Flight FZ647, scheduled to fly three times a week to Ethiopia’s capital city, Addis Ababa, touched down at Bole International Airport at 19:15 (Ethiopia time) from Dubai’s Terminal 2.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai said: “The sky is the limit for Africa - it has emerged into a dynamic global force over the past decade and the increase in the number of our routes is testament to the trade, cultural and political links that exists between the Middle East and Africa. As one of the gateway cities into the rest of the continent, Addis Ababa is representative of the industry, energy and ambition that characterizes the region and we look forward to supporting the African tourism industry and larger economy with our new route.”
Addis Ababa is flydubai’s seventh destination in Africa, with the airline first venturing into the continent in September 2009 with flights to Djibouti. The low-cost carrier has since added Alexandria, Sohag, Luxor, Port Sudan and Khartoum to its network. With expanding trade and tourism between UAE and Africa, the launch of the new route is part of the carrier’s plan to increase connectivity between the two regions.
Ethiopia’s strong trade links to the UAE currently rest on the import–export of agricultural produce and oil, but with the diversification of both economies, more partnerships are expected to come into play, promoting travel between the two nations.
A one-way fare to Addis Ababa from Dubai starts at AED 900, including 20kgs of checked baggage, one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. A seat with extra leg room costs AED 100.
Flights from Addis Ababa to Dubai start at AED 935.
Flights between Dubai and Addis Ababa can be purchased from flydubai’s website (www.flydubai.com), its call centre (+9714 301 0800) and through travel partners.
Seven facts about Addis Ababa to mark flydubai’s seventh African route:
- Addis Ababa means “New Flower’ in Amharic
- In keeping with Dubai’s diversity, the city has as many as 80 nationalities, speaking 80 languages
- With a population of around 3.4 million, it is the largest city in Ethiopia
- It has the status of both a city and a state
- It is the political capital of Africa as it houses the African Union
- Sister cities: Beijing (China), San Francisco (USA), Leipzig (Germany), Chuncheon (South Korea)
- Celebrated Addis natives: Liya Kebede, Ethiopian supermodel and Haile Gebrselassie, long distance runner
