flydubai to the Maldives: Low-Cost Carrier to Launch Affordable Fares to Malé from January 2013
flydubai, Dubai’s innovative low-cost airline, has announced flights to Malé, the capital of the Republic of Maldives (the Maldives).
Commencing on January 19, 2013, flights will operate five times a week between Dubai’s Terminal 2 and the Maldives’ Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on the island of Malé. Bringing flydubai’s presence in the Indian Subcontinent to nine points across six countries, the new route will allow travelers from across the region to enjoy affordable fares to one of the world’s most renowned leisure destinations.
“We are very excited about adding Malé to our destination network,” said flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith. “As the first low-cost carrier from the UAE to fly to the Maldives, we are making this island paradise even more accessible to travelers across our network. flydubai offers a low-cost model with innovation and excellent service. This proposition has proved very popular with our passengers and will undoubtedly be a draw for those looking to experience one of the world’s top holiday spots at an affordable price.”
Voted the number one island destination in the Indian Ocean by Condé Nast Traveler readers, the Maldives has advanced its tourism credentials by promoting its rich culture, vast array of luxury resort experiences, exotic culinary experiences and adventure sports ranging from paragliding to diving. The country has also remained committed to protecting its diverse ecology and champions environmentally-friendly activities. The result has been a consistent growth in visitor numbers over the years, with the Maldives welcoming almost a million tourists in 2011 – a leap of 17.6 per cent over 20101.
The country has proved particularly popular amongst travellers from Russia, CIS and GCC, with figures revealing a 15.7% increase in tourist arrivals in the first quarter of this year compared to January to March 2011. The report also highlighted a 77.8%2 increase in passengers from the Middle East over the same period with the growth linked to the opening of a number of Middle East-based hotel chains, such as Jumeirah Group’s Vittaveli Maldives which opened in December 2011. flydubai flies to 16 points in the CIS and CEE, and more than 20 points in the Middle East.
“We anticipate a strong demand for flights from the GCC, in particular Kuwait, as well as markets such as Russia, CIS and Central and Eastern Europe. Thanks to our strong presence in both these regions, passengers will be able to fly to the Maldives via our Dubai hub,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith. “This will be our first launch in 2013 and we look forward to welcoming passengers from across our network to this wonderful country.”
The Maldives is widely regarded as one of the world’s top holiday spots. It comprises of 1,190 coral islands, formed around 26 natural ring-like atolls and spread over 90,000 square kilometers. With a maximum natural ground level of only 2.4 meters, it is also the lowest country in the world, making it a water-lover’s paradise.
The Maldives will be the latest addition to flydubai’s growing network of more than 50 destinations in 32 countries, spanning the GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.
Flights between Dubai and Malé can be purchased from flydubai’s website (flydubai.com), its Call Center in the UAE (+9714 231 1000), as well as through travel partners and flydubai Travel Shops and distributor in Malé (+960 334 5000). Further information and details of the carrier’s car rental and travel insurance services can also be found on flydubai.com.
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 50 destinations across the GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Subcontinent, Asia and Central and Eastern Europe and has built up fleet of 26 aircraft. Owned by the Government of Dubai, the low-cost carrier supports the city’s commercial and tourism sectors by serving all travelers and providing them with affordable air links to a range of destinations.
| Copyright © 2012 Naharnet.com. All Rights Reserved. | https://naharnet.com/stories/en/60548 |