Yemen's national carrier Yemenia is using what is known as 'Fifth Freedom' out of Dubai to launch regular services to Dhaka effective Friday, a Yemenia official said.

Fifth Freedom is a term used in aviation industry jargon, and is sometimes referred to as 'beyond rights'. It is the right of an airline from one country to land in a second country, to then pick up passengers and fly on to a third country where the passengers then deplane.

Yemenia operates a fleet of 12 aircraft, but is on the verge of a major restructuring and fleet modernisation plan. It has taken delivery of the first of two Airbus A330-200s. The second aircraft will be delivered in the next few weeks. Both aircraft are being leased from International Lease Finance Corp (ILFC).

Each of Yemenia's A330-200s seats 277 passengers in a first and economy layout. The aircraft are powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 700s.

"Our Airbus A330-200s represent an important new step into the future for us, bringing technological benefits and increase in aircraft size," Yemenia chairman Captain Abdul Kalek Al Kadi, said.

"We are delighted to be modernising our fleet with Airbus aircraft in this way, and look forward to the improvements in economy and passenger comfort that it will bring."

The airline is starting its Dhaka services from Dubai through a weekly frequency operating an Airbus A310. Its flight IY858 leaves Dubai every Friday at 8pm reaching Dhaka on Saturdays at 2.15am. The return flight, IY 859 leaves Dhaka at 3.15am, reaching Dubai at 5.30am on Saturdays, well in time for travellers to join offices or attend business meetings.

Its once-a-week frequency will double from December next year, when it begins using the newly acquired A330-200s on the route. The second weekly flight, IY852, leaves Dubai every Sunday at 12pm reaching Dhaka at 6.15pm. The return flight, IY853, leaves Dhaka at 7.15pm reaching Dubai at 9.30pm.

Abdullah Kassim Mohammad, Yemenia's area manager for Dubai and Sharjah, told Gulf News, "Dubai will soon be our second largest hub and we will use the emirate for our onward services to the Far East and other destinations.

"The Bangladeshi community is one of the largest in the UAE. We want to penetrate that market in a big way and expand our operations for that sector.

"We are offering the best price on return tickets to Dhaka at Dh820 with a higher baggage allowance. A one-way ticket is priced at Dh450, excluding taxes and surcharges.

©Gulf News