Azerbaijan, Baku, Dec.28 / Trend, E.Ismayilov /
Flydubai, the world's fastest growing start-up airline ever, has added two additional Iraqi destinations to its network with flights to Baghdad and Najaf due to start in 2012, the company's press release says on Wednesday.
The new routes bring flydubai's network to 48 destinations across 27 countries in the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe.
Flydubai launched services to Iraq in 2010, serving Erbil and Sulaimaniyah, providing a huge impetus to travel between UAE and Iraq, while promoting trade ties between the two countries. The new routes mean flydubai now offers 14 flights a week to Iraq.
Flights to the two destinations will start in the New Year, allowing travellers from the UAE to take advantage of low-cost fares to two of Iraq's commercial hubs. The four-times weekly flights to Baghdad will begin on Tuesday, Jan.17, 2012, with the three times a week service to Najaf commencing on Sunday, Jan.29, 2012.
The main demand generator for the two routes is expected to be business traffic, reflecting Iraq's social and economic resurgence. In parallel to reconstruction work, Iraq has identified and developed key industries such as energy, construction, retail and agriculture with the help of foreign investment and expertise. In addition to business interests, there are also many sites of historical and religious significance.
Established in March 2008, flydubai is Dubai's first low-cost airline and the fastest growing start-up airline in the world. Since commencing operations in June 2009, the airline has established an operational route network of 46 destinations across GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe and has built up a fleet of 20 aircraft. Owned by the government of Dubai, the low-cost carrier supports the city's commercial and tourism sectors by serving all travellers and providing them with affordable air links to a range of destinations.