Dubai to launch low-cost airline

Dubai: Dubai is to launch a low-cost carrier that will serve the growing budget travel market within the region and benefit the huge number of expatriates in the UAE.

His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has instructed concerned authorities to set up the low-cost airline company in Dubai.

"While setting fares, the company will be taking the financial and living conditions of passengers into consideration," Wam reported, without elaborating when the airline will be launched and its routes.

Shaikh Ahmad Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman of the Emirates Group, will also be the Chairman of the new airline, while Gaith Al Gaith, Executive Vice-President for commercial operations at Emirates, will be its chief executive officer.

"Dubai's open-skies policy encourages the growth of air transport, which has and continues to contribute to the development of this city. The new airline, a low-cost carrier, will complement the international air services already provided by Emirates," Shaikh Ahmad said.

Although two Emirates officials have been named chairman and CEO of the airline, it is unclear what relationship will the new airline have with the Emirates Group. Mike Simon, Emirates' vice-president for corporate communications, told Gulf News: "It is a completely separate airline. Emirates has nothing to do with it except the fact we have the same chairman."

The much anticipated move comes at a time when Emirates, a premier full-service airline, has been raising its fares on most routes - leaving room for others to benefit from lower prices.

The new low-cost airline will help Dubai to regain the market gradually being left out by Emirates, analysts believe.

Senior Emirates officials - Maurice Flanagan, Emirates Group vice-chairman, and Tim Clark, president of the airline - have repeatedly said that the airline might launch a low-cost livery, putting A380s on selected routes.

Dubai Aerospace Enterprise - a new aviation investment arm - is placing lease orders for 100 aircraft and analysts expect the new carrier to begin services with DAE's leased aircraft before summer to cash in on the summer traffic.

Air Arabia is still the most experienced low-budget airline in the Middle East, and experience means safety, and more passenger comfort, thus more attention to passengers. Don't forget the leg room!
Yasser
Sharjah,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 14:28

Let's just wait and see, until the vision becomes a clear mission and not out of commission. Good luck!
Danny
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 14:11

Great news to hear, I hope it will not follow the way of other low-budget airlines, which were launched with low costs but now the cost has been increased, equivalent to other high-budget airlines.
Refai
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 13:58

Great move! I hope it will fly within the Gulf also. I am sure that this carrier will be the best the world has ever seen.
Mary
Dubai,,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 13:51

So what if it is competition to Air Arabia? Do you think everyone wants to waste time going to Sharjah Airport when they want to cut down on their travel costs? I wouldn't, and I reside in Sharjah! I would rather go to Dubai Airport and fly low-cost from there. It's a smart and cost-curbing move.
Didi
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 09:54

Low-cost? Interesting, we will see about that. So far, nothing is low-cost in Dubai.
Nasir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 09:21

Kudos to Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his efforts to put up a low-cost airline in Dubai, I just hope other emirates like here in Abu Dhabi can offer a low cost-airline as well.
Lalaine
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:51

Thanks for your plan, His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this will be a great help for us, especially for the expatriates who have a low salary. Hope you will include flights to the Philippines ...
Charisse
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:46

More competition for Emirates is a very good thing for everyone, but I don't understand why the ruler starts one company which will hurt another.
Dudanavid
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:46

Note that the article says "benefit the huge number of expatriates in the UAE" not the citizens themselves. How demeaning!
Ed
California,USA
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:45

Hey, this is great news but what about increasing inflation?
Kabir
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:36

This type of low-budget service will help the lower class expats to meet their family and lower the psychological pressures and improve their health in the long-term.
Ataur
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:36

Dubai does not want to lose out on this huge market. Just look at the growth and profits of Air Arabia.
Prashant
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:33

A good move to cut short the budget of expatriates during the scorching summer. I welcome it.
Khalifullah
Mumbai,India
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:32

A timely decision for the benefit of the growing expatriate community in Dubai. I hope this new airline would cater exclusively for the marginal income community of Dubai. Others who can afford a little luxury in fares can refrain from using it and allow more space for the hapless crowd.
Sameer
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:30

As a part of the expariate and middle income group population of Dubai, I convey my heartiest thanks to His Highness, for his care for each and every strata of the society. It is really commendable.
Asish
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:19

Why can't more airplanes be bought for Emirates Airlines and reduce the fares.
Chris
Los Angeles,USA
Posted: March 19, 2008, 08:18

An indication that Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is concerned with all classes in the UAE. Although the fact that Emirates and this new airline will share the same chairman brings the new airline's independence into question.
Lellow
Melbourne,Australia
Posted: March 19, 2008, 07:06

Why not support Air Arabia instead? Wasn't it the best cheap airline last year?
John
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 19, 2008, 00:25

Low cost...?? I think this new airline is a competitor for famous air arabia. Dubai wants to grab that market too. Simple as that..
Danushke
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 17:20

Once again His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum has proved to the people when it matters most that he cares.
Venkatraman
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 17:20

My heartiest thanks to Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, for his new airline company. This is very helpful for our travelling and I hope the ticket fare will be reduced compared to other airline services.
Anandha
Tamilnadu,India
Posted: March 18, 2008, 17:05

Long live Shaikh Mohammed: the visionary leader of UAE who cares for everyone.
Masood
Doha,QATAR
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:45

God bless him.
Mahfoud
Dubai,United Arab Emirates
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:45

It's a great move by His Highness Shaikh Mohammed to consider the welfare of the common people. He is a good example of what an efficient ruler should be.
Jafar
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:36

I love His Highness Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for his love and concern for the people. He is a great leader and I always look upon him as one of the most admired and true leaders in the present world. I hope all the leaders take example of his vision, hardwork and love for the poor. Introducing a new airline to fit the middle class people's need is one of the best example of his Highness's golden heart.
Alphons
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:35

Nice to see the approach of Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It is quite heartening to note that the "Services will be of low cost due to Shaikh Mohammad's keenness to enable low-income passengers to reunite with their families and relatives at home"
Venkatesh
Chennai,India
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:27

This is an excellent opportunity, provided the fares will remain normal in terms of affordable tickets and maximum destinations especially on route to/from labour supplying countries of this region...Well done and keep up the good work!
Sohail
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:27

Thanks in advance to His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum for this kind gesture. He is really the man of vision always with heartfelt emotions.
Ron
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:25

This is a very good and generous move.
Aboobacker
DUBAI,U.A.E.
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:23

This will be an opportunity for people in UAE to travel more often. I hope new destinations are covered.
Xavier
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:20

Having been brought up in Dubai since 1971, the foresight of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad still amazes me. Just when you think he has launched something spectacular for the benefit of the UAE people, along comes something bigger and better, and now a low cost carrier. We should feel lucky living under such a considerate leader.
Imran
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:05

It's a dream come true! Kudos to HH Sheikh Mohammed for his brilliant future vision.
Rashid
dubai,u.a.e.
Posted: March 18, 2008, 16:01

The news is quite interesting. Ordinary people will have the benefits of such moves. May it be a budget airline which will serve the low income category.
Gafoor
DUBAI,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:59

We pray for HH Shaikh Mohammed and his country's prosperity. We can find only a few like HH Shaikh Mohd who lives for his people and his nation.thanks.
Usman
Dubai,U A E
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:58

His Highness is surprising us with unlimited dreams of a better future. I really appreciate this and I feel amazed with hisactions. May Allah Bless Your Highness. I would be more than happy to share, even a small share, in making Dubai best place in the whole world.
Mohamed
Dubai,UAE-I am Egyptian
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:57

This is an amazing step that His Highness has taken, as this world is not of rich fellows. The people who are earning low incomes can use this airline and give their blessing.
Bobby
rak,uae
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:57

I think this is a great step from the ruler of Dubai H. H. Shaikh Muhammad. I hope that the fares of the new airline will be lower than the existing ones and will prove to be a low cost airline for people to use. I am now looking forward to the launch of this airline.
Azhar
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:44

This shows Shaikh Mohammad's kindness for those who live in UAE. This will definitely help people of UAE and all over the world who work and live here, contributing thier efforts to build the future of Dubai/UAE.Excellent, and all the best for his health and life.
S.Iftikhar Shah Gilani
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:44

Such benevolence from Shk. Mohammad is a dream come true for middle class families living in Dubai. I am sincerely touched by his gesture. Looking forwards to see his dream come true. Three cheers to Shk. Mohammad.
Nisreen
Dubai,India
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:43

As usual HH Shaikh Mohammed Bin Rashid always comes with innovative and great projects which benefit everyone and Dubai's economy. My great admiration to His Highness.
Mahdi
Manama,Bahrain
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:37

Here comes the much-awaited airline company, with His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum waving the green flag for the dreams of low-income passengers to and from the UAE. The move is welcome and it is expected to be a budget airline with competitive fare, unlike Emirates. It is visionary move that will pave the way for the reunion of the common people with their family at a low cost.
Muahammad
Dubai,UAE
Posted: March 18, 2008, 15:30