Dubai-based low-cost carrier Flydubai launched its new route from Dhaka yesterday, a new move to bring down the fares of flying to the United Arab Emirates for 700,000 Bangladeshi migrant workers.
Flydubai, a sister concern of Emirates, earlier launched its operations in Bangladesh from Shah Amanat International Airport in Chittagong on January 17.
“The flights to Dhaka and Chittagong will not only cater to the Bangladeshi workforce in the UAE, but will also increase the trade and business between the two nations,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer of Flydubai.
“I hope the service will be an attractive option for Bangladeshis living in Dubai to make an affordable, safe and comfortable journey,” he added.
He was speaking at a press conference organised by FlyDubai at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.
Ghaith said the carrier is already getting huge responses from Bangladeshi travellers, especially migrant workers, as it offers a flexible tariff structure.
A person would only have to pay when they carry luggage and the cost of meals would not be included in the fare.
“The Chittagong service will give passengers even greater travel flexibility when it becomes a daily service in March,” he added.
Flydubai charges $125 including taxes for one-way fare from Dubai to Dhaka, while the fare is $200 for flying from Dhaka to Dubai. The fares also cover carrying one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7 kg.
At present, the carrier flies four times a week from Dubai to Dhaka and Chittagong on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Ghaith claimed that they are utilising nearly 100 percent of their carrying capacity on each flight.
Established in March 2008, Flydubai is Dubai’s first low-cost airline. Set up by the government of Dubai, the carrier has a fleet comprising 14 brand new Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft and operates to 33 international destinations.
