Dubai: Defying the economic downturn, Dubai on Monday launched a new low-cost airline, flydubai, which will start flights in June with Beirut and Amman as initial destinations.
The move to launch flydubai as scheduled is expected to boost Dubai's tourism sector and help residents travel at low cost. The airline will also bolster the emirate's plans to become a hub for international air traffic as it begins to fly to more regional destinations.
flydubai began booking tickets yesterday with one-way fares starting at Dh250. "Over the coming months we will be making more announcements as we build a comprehensive network of routes serving popular destinations," said Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, chairman of flydubai, who also heads Emirates Group.
Currently low-cost carriers account for four per cent of the region's airline sales. But, said Alpha Tours chief executive Ghassan Aridi: "The cheap fares will help grow travel within the region."
Would you fly FlyDubai? Will the new airline encourage you to travel this summer?
Your comments
I wish if fly Dubai flies to Banglaore and other metros of India, it not only gets huge business but would provide service to the community around here. good show, keep up.
Madan M. Rao
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 17:25
We are waiting for you in Athens! Congratulations
Amalia Gavriilidou
Athens,Greece
Posted: April 07, 2009, 16:50
Heartly congratulations to the new airline being introduced " FLY DUBAI". Wishing all the success in its new venture in providing a Low cost mode of travelling. I hope the airlines introduces Flights to Southern parts of India, Kerala, as well. All the best to the team of FlyDubai airlines.
Anish T.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 16:45
Congrats! The cheaper the flight, the more the visitors. I hope flydubai will announce flights to and from Pakistan soon. I used to travel 3-4 times in a year but now only once in a year.
Rashid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 16:08
Please start flying to Islamabad, a lot of Pakistanis are waiting for this summer to travel with Flydubai.
Mohammad Farooq
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 15:41
Budget airlines are always welcomed mainly by the expatriates. I really hope Flydubai starts operating to Kerala too as there are immense frequent flyers. I would love to fly too.
Vidya. M
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 15:10
Congratulations to FlyDubai. We are looking forward to destinations like Najaf, Iraq. keep expanding
Nazmal Damani
London,UK
Posted: April 07, 2009, 14:51
Congratulations to FlyDubai, i wish for success and im waiting for Indian Services Please annouce soon.
Qutub Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 14:05
We like to fly, high,
with FlyDubai,
when they comply
to fly, my Goa sky.
-Bye!
Lewis
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 13:30
Hey, this is great news! I am hoping more destinations will be added on, enabling most of us to make travel plans. Wish 'Fly Dubai' all the best !
Ambreen Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 13:28
Yes, it is the need of time. everyone like to use low price and good service. I congratulate Emirates Group. we love to FlyDubai.
Zarshad Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 13:23
It is a wonderful decision of the dubai authorities to launch the flydubai at this time. Wish you all the best flydubai
Sajjad Khosa
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 13:21
We all pakistanies are waiting for new flight (fly dubai) to pakistan (karachi and lahore)so we have one more flight to go home hurry!
Omar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 13:10
I hope that flights to karachi will start before start of summer break in schools
Atif Khalil
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 13:02
They should start their service towards India first they will get maximum business from India only. I was waiting long but disappoints when i saw first flight not to India.Ok no problem but hopes that fare shud be low.
Mustafa Hamdani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 13:00
Ofcourse I will fly FlyDubai if you arrange to Kerala India. We are all waiting for the happy news.
Faisal Rahman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 12:45
i am really happy to know that flydubai will operate from june. i am expecting this flight may service south indian state taminadu madurai new integrated terminal...
Younus
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 12:37
Congratulations to flybubai.Please plan to give the Chennai City ( Sourthen City) your next place for flydubai, so that chennai expats can enjoy too with low price ticket. Thanks to dubai.
Mohammad Farooque Gaffoor
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 12:13
Congratulation to FlyDubai. We are looking forward to destinations like India, especially Goa. Right now it will be really great to fly flyDubai. all the best.
Seby Pereira
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 12:06
im realy excited to hear this news. And if you arrange to india, especially to trichy, most peaple will feel comfortable. hopfully im waiting to hear and fly.
Mohammad Ajmal Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 11:43
This is a great opportunity for those people who want to travel but have limited budget only.
Annah
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 11:38
We are waiting for flydubai to start for pakistan and indian sectors as soon as possible, it will be a great airline with low fairs and good services, we dont want entertainment, comfort and food we want to save money on air travel, with on time departures and good connecting flights for europe, UK and the US.
Rasheed
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 11:11
I have to know whether any flights to bangalore from Dubai.
Syed Taha
Bangalore,India
Posted: April 07, 2009, 11:08
Its very good news for dubai residents and this low cost airline will encourage people to fly and more fly to their native country, I hope it will start the route of Dubai to Dhaka.
Zahid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 10:59
hey its fantastic news for Dubai residents, they can frequently visit their home town. I am waiting for my turn when FlyDubai announce Mumbai trip. Thanks and all the very best.
Shoaib Ansari
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 10:56
Yes indeed, if service is good and fare reasonable than other airlines.
Asarpota L. T.
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 10:39
well i feel really happy to know that FlyDubai is going to operate in June. i would love to travel in FlyDubai if it will trvel to my hometown...
Yameen Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 10:38
waiting for the Indian sectors as they could attract millions.
Shihab
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 09:58
Sure, of course we would fly FlyDubai. It has been more than time to offer a budget airline in the region, and especially with such a high class big brother it will feel much different than flying a disreputed cheaper airline. In this way - if there are low priced flights on offer - many people will make a weekend trip just so to see other countries or visit friends and relatives which they would not do or plan otherwise.
John Smith
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 09:55
Yes, if it covers the GCC capitals which I frequently fly to, it would also be great if it've code sharing with Emirates Airlines and passengers would earn points to skywards.
Tamer Samir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 09:55
The idea is good and we welcome this move.
Ramesh Sobhani
Mumbai,India
Posted: April 07, 2009, 09:23
I just cannot wait for Fly Dubai to start. I am planning to take the first inugral. I hope the flight starts to Pune, my home town I am waiting to buy my ticket. Keep it up Fly Dubai.
Cheryl Gonsalves
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 09:21
When is flydubai going to start from India? As you know UAE has many Asians.
Naina Bipin
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 09:08
Yes is the answer. That too, if Emirates expertise is behind Fly Dubai - I am sure it is going to be a success story. All the best of Luck to you FlyDubai.
R. B. Chander
Doha,Qatar
Posted: April 07, 2009, 08:57
i would like to avail flydubai service for travel to lahore, Pakistan.
Mahmoud
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 08:41
Yes of course, especially durig festival time for a short period. anyways everybody goes once a year but this type of airline will definitely encourage short holiday travellers.
Sabirali Shaikh
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 08:31
I will fly FlyDubai if the timing and price of the flights are convenient.
Ragai Abe Ellatif Mahmoud
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 08:24
All the best for FlyDubai. Please arrange to India.
James
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 08:20
Congratulation and If it is charted to India we will travel by FlyDubai.
Mohammad Ashraf
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 07:49
I highly appreciate to launch that kind of low cost Airline. i hope you open more new destinations soon with improve services.
Shahid
Karachi,Pakistan
Posted: April 07, 2009, 07:42
i want to fly by fly dubai.
jibran
krachi,pakistan
Posted: April 07, 2009, 07:39
This is great news, especially now, to hear about this new airliner. I'd love to use it to travel to Egypt, USA, and London.
Samer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 07:15
Yes if they are planning to start their service to southern indian cities as well Bombay then ofcourse my first preference will be FlyDubai
Santhosh Kumar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 06:57
If you fly to india (kerala) and china with competitive price you will get good business.
Melekizhakkethil George Varughese
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 06:55
Congratulations to FlyDubai. We are looking forward to destinations like India, especially Kerala, and there will be a high level competetion with other budget airlines. We welcome FlyDubai.
Arun Kavirajan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 01:44
Plz start flying to Tiruchirapalli as this sector are plenty commuters travelling.
Sure many expats are budget concious and will be helful. Best wishes for Fly Dubai, awaiting eagerly.
Mehboob Khan
Dubai,UAE
Posted: April 07, 2009, 00:21
