Flydubai starts low cost flights to a fifth destination

Flight FZ223 took off from Dubai International Airport at 0800hrs and landed at Aleppo International Airport at 1030hrs local time, after a three and a half hour journey.

The return flight, FZ224, left 45 minutes later at 1115hrs. Aleppo is Flydubai's fifth operational destination since the company launched its services just six weeks ago. It already flies to Beirut, Amman, Damascus and Alexandria.

Syria is the first country to have two Flydubai routes, with Aleppo catering to passengers in the north and Damascus to those in the south. Aleppo's inclusion means Flydubai now flies to the four largest cities in the Levant region.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of Flydubai, who waved the inaugural flight off from Dubai International Airport's Terminal 2, said the UAE and Syria were long-term friends with long-term goals.

"This is a great opportunity for people in both cities to travel to each other's countries more regularly. Our aim is always to bring people together more often and to make their journeys a little less complicated, a little less stressful and a little less expensive,"

said Mr Al Ghaith.

"Aleppo is a magical place with a rich history and a fascinating culture, while Dubai is a new and exciting destination. Whatever the reason to get together, this new route will make it easier. It will be especially important for the large numbers of Syrians in Dubai, as it will make a trip home more accessible and more affordable. It also gives the four million plus people living in Aleppo the chance to explore what Dubai and the UAE has to offer," added Mr Al Ghaith.

H.E. Majd Eldine Nashed, General Consul of the Syrian Arab Republic in Dubai and the Northern Emirates welcomed this important step and said, "I salute Flydubai's inaugural flight to Aleppo. This flight signifies the development of the brotherly relationship between the Arab Republic of Syria and the United Arab Emirates."

The Aleppo flights are being served by flydubai's third Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, and will operate on a daily basis to accommodate the busy summer period. From August 31, the flights will be four times per week.

The Flydubai model is simple, with customers paying only for the services they want to receive. The ticket price includes all taxes and one piece of hand baggage, weighing up to 10kg, per passenger.

Flydubai operates from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport.