Flydubai expands operations in Africa

The new service will operate three times per week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, departing Dubai at 0800hrs arriving at 1015hrs local time. The return flight, FZ602, will leave 45 minutes later at 1100hrs and arrive back in Dubai at 1515hrs local time.

One way fares to Djibouti from Dubai will include all taxes and one piece of hand baggage weighing up to 10 kg, and are available for purchase from the website (Flydubai.com), call centre (04 301 0800) and travel agents.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of Flydubai, said:

"One of the reasons Flydubai was set up was to operate to second tier cities that are currently underserved by airlines flying out of Dubai. While these cities may not be large enough markets for the bigger airlines, there is still a significant amount of traffic from these markets and we believe they will be important and profitable routes for Flydubai."

Al Ghaith added, "Djibouti has long established commercial links with Dubai, including DP World, which operates the Port of Djibouti."

He said, "As one of the very few airlines to offer direct flights to this relatively small destination, we anticipate strong demand from both the business and leisure markets."

"We are looking forward to offering customers travelling between Dubai and Djibouti the option of flying on our comfortable and safe Boeing 737-800s and we are confident many people will want to take advantage of the Flydubai promise to make travel a little less complex, a little less stressful and a little less expensive," Al Ghaith stated.

With a population of just half a million people, Djibouti is roughly half the size of Abu Dhabi, with a land mass of 23,000 km2 encompassing desert, highlands and plateaus. Djibouti is a republic which was formed in 1977, when the country gained independence from France. The national languages are Arabic and French.

Bordered by Eritrea, Ethiopia and Somalia, Djibouti has a long history as a trading port and is strategically located on the Gulf of Aden.

H.E.M Ali Hassan Bahdon, the Djibouti Minister of Equipment and Transport, said the new route is a great benefit to Djibouti nationals and expatriates living in the country: "The Flydubai service brings us closer to many more destinations and makes our country more accessible - it will bring new visitors to boost tourism and will make the trading links with Dubai much more easily accessible. This new service is excellent news for everyone who lives and works here."

Djibouti is Flydubai's second African destination after Alexandria and the sixth destination on the network, which also includes Beirut, Amman, Damascus and Aleppo.

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 10 kg, per passenger.

Passengers have the option to purchase checked-in baggage in advance. Checked baggage at the airport is also strictly subject to availability and passengers are advised to book online early to secure the space, as only pre-purchased baggage can be guaranteed.

A nominal payment allows customers to select their seat and secures the extra legroom positions. Bookings can be changed for a small fee, plus any difference in the fare, and food and drink can be purchased on board.

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