Dubai, U.A.E., 11th March 2009 - Dubai's first low cost airline, flydubai, has announced it will operate from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport, when it begins its services later this year.
flydubai is currently on schedule to take off with the launch of its first routes mid-2009, operating a fleet of Boeing aircraft, each offering 189 economy class seats. Launch routes will be announced shortly and will include a range of destinations within four and a half hours flying time of Dubai.
In preparation for the launch of flydubai, the re-development of Terminal 2 is already well underway, with finishing touches being put to Phase 1 improvements this week. Dubai Airports has commissioned the work to be carried out by the contracting company widely acclaimed for its impressive work at Dubai International's Terminal 3. Terminal 2 already boasts extended, brighter departure and arrival areas, additional departure gates, a specially-designed children's play area and new and improved food and beverage outlets. Further enhancements are planned.
"As a low cost airline, flydubai will focus firmly on providing the very best value to our customers in a modern and convenient international environment" said the airline's CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith. "In Terminal 2 we have found an ideal home which will allow us to bring efficiencies to our operations and a range of facilities and benefits to our customers".
The one-level Terminal 2, with its central location on the north side of Dubai International Airport, will ultimately be served by a new transport infrastructure on Al Ittihad and Al Twar Roads, which will provide better approach routes and access. The interior design, coupled with the fact that its 1,000 car parking spaces are all at ground level just outside the front doors of the terminal, means that check-in and transiting times through the airport will be greatly streamlined.
flydubai aims to capitalise on the region's growing budget travel segment and serve the considerable expatriate population by giving people the opportunity to fly more often. "As a low cost airline, our business model is to provide the best value to our customers, in a simple and transparent way and with the utmost of safety - we look forward to serving the growing numbers of travellers in this region and to bringing people together more often," Mr. Al Ghaith concluded.
The airline's operations team is currently finalising routes, which are likely to include the Indian subcontinent, north and east Africa, southeast Europe and the Middle East.
flyDubai is said to start operations using 15+ 737-800 aircrafts to serve nations within reach of 3-5 hours of flightime. So that prett much means all of Gulf States, as well as India/Pakistan/Bangladesh.
One of my friend in Dubai is project manager of Fly Dubai, he was transferred from Emirates. According to him, huge money is invested in Fly Dubai. Lets see !
Yeah, i've read the same. Excluding the costs related starting an airline, $4bn is confirmed to have been spent on aircrafts alone.
"flydubai is the new low cost carrier that was started by the government of Dubai in March of this year. flydubai kicked off the Farnborough Air Show with an historic order for 54 Boeing 737-800/900s worth $4bn US at list prices. This is the biggest order the aircraft manufacturer has ever received from a gulf-based low cost carrier for the 737."
there is no difference in actuall planes of a low cost airline. they all from boeing or airbus.
only difference is operating model, less staff, direct/online ticketing, no first class hence more seats, and no free food onboard, busy schedule of planes on routes.
Good luck to the airline,,, I would also love to know what our Pakistani Awam does to the cheap flight. our Pakistani awam ( not all of them) deserves only third class buss travel, yet even airline travel. what they do inside an aeroplane, how they behave to everyone,, is a disgrace most of the time.
Now with very cheap options in their hands, the manace will continue.
Gulf Air isn't in operation any more? That was a low cost air line.
Gulf Air is not a low cost airline, but their service is worse than that of any low-cost carrier could be.
I made the mistake of traveling Gulf Air twice. First time I almost missed my connection in Bahrain and the second time I did miss the connection and was stuck at Bahrain Airport for several hours.
Does Gulf Air accommodate you in a situation as above if you're left with a gap of 8+ hours?
No they don't. I had to buy a new ticket to get back to Dubai and it was then a huge fight with their Customer Service department, until I got a refund on both my "wasted tickets". But they didn't provide any compensation for my time lost.
Needless to say that I am now avoiding Gulf Air completely.
