Azerbaijan, Baku, Feb. 3 / Trend E. Ismayilov /
flydubai, Dubai's pioneering low-cost airline, chalked up its seventh destination in Saudi Arabia yesterday, with the start of its three-weekly flights to Taif in the Makkah Province, the company said today. The first flight will be made on Feb. 1.
flydubai launched services to the Kingdom in November 2010, and now serves Riyadh, Jeddah, Yanbu, Gassim, Abha and Dammam in addition to Taif with a total of 55 weekly flights across the country.
flydubai's CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said that the UAE has boosted its commercial links with Saudi Arabia over the past year and the Kingdom is currently the UAE's top non-oil trading partner . By covering the country's main commercial and leisure hubs, flydubai is supporting these relationships through offering regular travel between the two nations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Saudi authorities for their support and assistance in making these flights possible.
Taif is the Kingdom's number one summer destination. Every year, the Saudi Government relocates to the temperate climates from the heat in Riyadh. Thanks to its location less than 100km from Makkah, it offers an alternative entry point for people performing Hajj and Umra.
The fare from Dubai to Taif costs $166.
flydubai's network now spans more than 45 destinations in 27 countries across the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe.
Fares include one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag.
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 more than 45 destinations across GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe and has built up a fleet of 21 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.