Nejran welcomes flydubai's first flight

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Dubai, United Arab Emirates. 11 January 2015

Dubai-based flydubai's inaugural flight to Nejran landed yesterday, and was greeted by a traditional water cannon salute. The flight marks the start of the first direct link between the region and Dubai.

Receiving the aircraft were senior officials from the Nejran Governor's office, the General Authority for Tourism and Antiquities, Nejran's Immigration department, the Saudi Arabia General Authority of Civil Aviation, and the Nejran Chamber of Commerce. flydubai's delegation was led by Hamad Obaidalla, the airline's Chief Commercial Officer, Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President Commercial for GCC, Subcontinent and Africa, and Alex Mackenzie, Senior Vice President of Airport Services.

Mohamed Al Qahtani, Director of Nejran Airport welcomed flydubai's first flight, and said: "The Saudi Authorities efforts towards developing domestic airports in the Kingdom have resulted in having modern facilities such as Nejran Airport available for its citizens. These direct flights will not only enhance trade and tourism flows between the two cities, but enable the people of Nejran to travel anywhere in the world via Dubai."

Commenting on the new route, Hamad Obaidalla said, "We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Saudi authorities for their continuous and valuable support since we began operations to what is now one of the key markets in our network. This has enabled us to provide direct flights from Dubai to cities such as Nejran, and we are honoured to be the first carrier to offer this service."

Passengers from Nejran, one of Saudi Arabia's most culturally and historically diversified centres will now be able to travel directly to Dubai while UAE residents will have the opportunity to explore a region rich in local historical heritage and traditions and is famed for its environmental diversity.

"The launch and growth of flydubai has been significant in helping Dubai to achieve its year-on-year growth when it comes to visitor figures. We are delighted that flydubai has launched this new route, connecting Dubai to Nejren city directly for the first time. Saudi Arabia is consistently our top source market for visitors to Dubai and one that remains a key focus for us - this new route makes it even easier for both business and leisure travellers from Saudi Arabia to reach the emirate," said Issam Kazim, Chief Executive Officer of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing.

"The new route will not only bring friends and families in the UAE and Saudi Arabia closer, but open new opportunities for business and leisure travellers. We are excited about welcoming the people of the Nejran region on board flydubai", added Obaidalla.

Flight Details:

Starting 10 January 2015, flydubai will operate four times a week between Dubai and Nejran on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Flight FZ817 departs Dubai International, Terminal 2 at 1525hrs, landing in Nejran Airport at 1730hrs local time. Flight FZ818 departs Nejran Airport at 1840hrs, arriving to Dubai International, Terminal 2 at 2230hrs local time.

Round trip fares from Dubai

Economy Class return fares to Nejran will start at AED1,100 including 7kg hand baggage, while Business Class return fares will start at AED3,500 and are inclusive of all taxes and 40kg checked baggage.

Round trip fares from Nejran

Economy Class return fares to Nejran will start at SAR775 including 7kg hand baggage, while Business Class return fares will start at SAR 3,270 and are inclusive of all taxes and 40kg checked baggage.

Flights between Dubai and Najran can be purchased from flydubai's website (flydubai.com), its Contact Centre +971 600 544 445, the local contact centre at +966 17 2202 948, flydubai Travel Shops and through travel partners.

-Ends-

About flydubai:
Dubai-based flydubai strives to remove barriers to travel and enhance connectivity between different cultures across its ever-expanding network. Since launching its operations in 2009, flydubai has:

· Created a network of 89 destinations, with 23 new routes launched in 2014.

· Opened up 56 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai.

· Built up a fleet of 43 new Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft and will take delivery of more than 100 Boeing aircraft by the end of 2023.

In addition, flydubai's agility and flexibility as a young airline has enhanced Dubai's economic development, in line with the Government of Dubai's vision, by creating trade and tourism flows in previously underserved markets.

For more information about flydubai services, please visit flydubai.com.

For further information, please contact:

Houda Al Kaissi, Senior Press officer; (+971) 56 683 0336; Email: houda.alkaissi@flydubai.com

Kareem Mahjoub, Media Relations Officer; (+971) 55 635 6196; Email: kareem.mahjoub@flydubai.com