RAK Airways will take off this month

Dubai: RAK Airways, the new airline established by the Ras Al Khaimah government to jumpstart the emirate's economy, said it would start scheduled services this month after a year-long delay.

The UAE's fourth licensed commercial carrier will make its maiden flight to Beirut on November 29, flying three times a week fat first, then expanding to daily if it experiences high demand.

RAK Airways will be a full-service carrier with a two-class configuration with economy and premium economy seating.

Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Bulgaria also figure in its short-term growth plans, said its chief operating officer and acting chief executive officer Khalid Almeer. While it will compete against three established UAE carriers, Almeer said there was plenty of room in the market for a new entrant.

"There are markets no matter how many flights you put into that market, you still have shortages," he told Gulf News.

Mideast traffic

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Middle East passenger traffic grew 17.8 per cent in the first half of this year.

The new airline would seek to carve out its own strategy and was well positioned to serve the growing economies of Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Ajman and Umm Al Quwain, he said.

"It isn't our intention to go into a price war because we are a small fish in the pond, but we will serve the market and cater to its needs, especially the niche markets," said Almeer.

After a year of management shakeups, which saw its first two chief executives leave abruptly, the new airline said it has now finally cleared all obstacles to its launch.

It received its air operator's certificate from federal aviation authorities in June and soon after took delivery of its first leased aircraft, a 200-seat Boeing 757. In the next two months it will receive two more narrow-bodied, leased airplanes - either Boeing 737s or Airbus A320s.

The airline will seek to add two aircraft and six routes every six months until it runs a network of about 18 to 20 destinations.