Dubai: Just two days after launching its 12th destination, Muscat in Oman, flydubai, Dubai's first low cost airline, took off on its inaugural flight to Kuwait, its fourth GCC destination and 13th overall.
A delegation from Kuwait headed by the Director General and Acting President of Civil Aviation, Badr Bou Taiban, welcomed the flight which included Jamal Al Hai, member of the Federal National Council and senior vice-president of strategy and development at Dubai Airports, and flydubai's Chief Executive Gaith Al Gaith among the passengers.
Adel Al Awadi, Deputy Director General for Kuwait International Airport Affairs, who was part of the delegation that welcomed the flight, said: "We are delighted to welcome flydubai to Kuwait.
"Increasing numbers of low-cost flights between the State of Kuwait and the Emirates strengthens the ties between our two nations and increases the opportunities for business, trade and tourism for both.
Increased traffic
"I expect traffic in both directions will be extremely healthy, particularly as flydubai represents a high quality, low cost alternative."
Al Hai said: "This new flight from flydubai is an important part of our efforts to boost trade and links between our two countries.
"It is another example of how the GCC countries work together for the bene-fit of all parties.
"Kuwait has fared well through the economic downtown — billions of dollars are being invested in Kuwait's infrastructure and the economy continues to grow with new investment, trade and industry."
Al Gaith said: "I would like to thank the authorities in Kuwait for their help in making this new route possible and for the wonderful welcome we have received... in Kuwait City.
Affordable travel
"Our twice-daily flights to Kuwait will open up a new low-cost option to the increasing number of people wanting to travel between the two cities, making travel more affordable and accessible."
In 2009, economic development plans were presented for the first time, which pledged $140 billion (Dh514 billion) in five years to help to diversify the Kuwait economy away from oil, attract more investment, and boost private sector participation in the economy.
Unaffected by crisis: Etihad has clean budget
James Hogan, CEO of Etihad Airways, said the airline is not hit by the global financial crisis and that the UAE is a major tourist attraction for Japanese visitors.
He added that the first flight from Abu Dhabi International Airport to Narita Airport in Tokyo was operated last Saturday, and five weekly direct flights will be operated from Abu Dhabi to Tokyo.
He pointed out that the global aviation sector has been hit hard by the sharp drop experienced in tourism because of the global financial crisis and H1N1 disease.
Hogan stressed that Etihad Airways, which started flying in 2003 and operates flights to 60 destinations, does not face the challenges and problems suffered by American, European and Japanese airlines, pointing to the new fleet and saying that the company has a "clean budget."
