Entry into Yemen brings low-cost carrier's international network to 29 countries

Dubai, UAE, April 2012: flydubai, Dubai's innovative low-cost airline, has inaugurated services to its latest destination Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.

flydubai's inaugural flight, FZ091, departed Dubai Terminal 2 at 0700hrs this morning (22 April), landing at El Rahaba Airport at 0840hrs local time. Representing its entry into Yemen, the new four-times weekly service brings flydubai's total operational network to 29 countries across the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Asia and the fringes of Europe.

A delegation of Yemen state officials, including the Minister of Transport, Dr. Waed Abdulla Batheeb and the Chairman of Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority, Hamed Faraj joined flydubai's Chief Commercial Officer, Hamad Obaidalla accompanied by the HE Abdulla Matar Al Mazroui, UAE Ambassador to Yemen to celebrate the occasion. The new route will boost business opportunities whilst providing travellers with a quality and affordable link to Sana'a.

flydubai's CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: "Since beginning operations in June 2009, flydubai has built up one of the industry's strongest regional networks. With the addition of Sana'a, we now fly to 20 destinations across 11 countries in the Middle East alone and I would like to personally thank everyone who has been involved in making our flights to Yemen a reality. flydubai hopes that this new service will play a significant role in developing business opportunites and open the door to more exports between the two nations."

Inaugurating today's flight, Obaidalla said: "At flydubai, we aim to connect Dubai to destinations that have previously been under-served by links to the UAE and as such we are very excited about the new route to Sana'a, a city steeped in history."

Yemen's Minister of Transport, Dr. Waed Abdulla Batheeb, welcomed flydubai's first flight to the capital, commenting: "We are delighted to receive the low-cost carrier's inaugural flight here in Sana'a today. We are confident that flydubai's direct flights to our capital will boost relations between the two countries and create new areas of collaboration in the future."

In parallel to the launch of commercial passenger flights, flydubai now also offers cargo services between the cities through its recently-launched division, flydubai Cargo. With perishables anticipated to be its main consignment, flydubai's newest cargo route will strengthen trade links between Sana'a and Dubai.

Yemen's largest city, Sana'a is the country's political and administrative capital and most important cultural centre. Declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in 1986, Sana'a is well known for its unique architecture that dates back over 2,000 years.

Flight Details

Flights to Sana'a commenced on 22 April 2012 and will operate four times a week.

Sundays and Mondays: FZ091 departs Dubai Terminal 2 at 0700hrs, landing in El Rahaba Airport (Sana'a International) at 0840hrs local time. The return flight, FZ092, departs at 0925hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1310hrs local time.

Wednesdays and Fridays: FZ091 departs Dubai Terminal 2 at 1545hrs, landing in El Rahaba Airport (Sana'a International) at 1725hrs local time. The return flight, FZ092, departs at 1810hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2155hrs local time.

Return fares from Dubai to Sana'a start at AED 1175 ($320). All fares are inclusive of taxes, 20kg checked baggage, plus include one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. A seat with extra legroom costs AED100 ($28) extra.

Flights between Dubai and Sana'a can be purchased from flydubai's website (www.flydubai.com), its call centres in the UAE (+9714 231 1000), and Yemen (+9671 446 750 ) as well as through flydubai Travel Shops and travel partners.

PHOTO CAPTION:

Picture 1: left to right, Abdulla Matar Al Mazroui (UAE Ambassador to Yemen), Hamad Obaidalla (flydubai's Chief Commercial Officer), Dr. Waed Abdulla Batheeb (Yemen's Minister of Transport), Hamed Faraj (Chairman of Civil Aviation and Meteorology Authority).

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Note to editors:

About flydubai:

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 45 destinations across GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe and has built up a fleet of 23 aircraft. Owned by the government of Dubai, the low-cost carrier supports the city's commercial and tourism sectors by serving all travellers and providing them with affordable air links to a range of destinations. The airline is dedicated to quality service and comfortable travel, lowering costs by optimising operational efficiencies and offering the passenger more choice.

For more information about flydubai services, please visit www.flydubai.com or contact the call centre (+9714 231 1000) or travel partners.