Dubai has confirmed plans to become the latest region to join the no-frills revolution with the launch next year of a budget carrier from the Emirates group flying from a dedicated terminal.
FlyDubai will take to the skies in mid-2009 following the building of its own terminal at the city”s new Al Maktoum airport. The initial launch is with five 189-seat Boeing 737-800s, the type and seat configuration used by Ryanair. However, FlyDubai inked a deal at the Farnborough Air Show for 54 of the aircraft which will bring destinations like Nairobi, the Seychelles and Moscow to the airline”s range, putting it head to head with its sister brand.
FlyDubai”s chief executive, Ghaith al Ghaith, said the carrier”s average flight length would be around two hours. Passengers will leave from a ”very simple” facility at Al Maktoum airport where they will cross the tarmac to reach their aircraft.
Dubai believes there is a big market for the new carrier. It estimates that 29 per cent of the world”s population lives within four hours of the country and that many would fly regularly if able to afford it.
Al Ghaith said: ”There was always an idea to have a second airline in Dubai. The problem was the existing airport could not sustain two.” He said FlyDubai was not based on any particular business model, but it will charge for checked-in baggage and all other extras.
FlyDubai believes it can follow the example of Malaysia”s Air Asia or Australia”s Virgin Blue in establishing a quality budget brand. ”It will be smart; the aircraft will look clean rather than having advertising on the seats,” Al Gaith said.
The airline will not be marketed directly in the UK, but Al Gaith said he would ”love” to do a deal similar to Air Asia”s successful sponsorship of Manchester United.
Gary Noakes