Overall revenues up by 31% compared to last year

Ras Al Khaimah, UAE, 4 May 2013: RAK International Airport continues to show significant growth with 1st Quarter 2013 results of 31% more revenue compared to the same period last year.  Contributing to this increase is the 42% swell in aircraft movement through the airport.  Growth was also witnessed in terms of retail and training.

"The 1st quarter 2013 performance is the result of a combination of carefully thought through factors such as collaborative teamwork, cohesive supply chain, attractive prices, product innovation and continuous energy and focus on our customer's needs and requirements," said Andrew Gower, CEO, RAK International Airport.

"With Ras Al Khaimah being the northern gateway to the UAE and just 45 minutes from Dubai via road, RAK International Airport is able to provide tourists and visitors an alternate and faster approach to the country due to its relatively free skies and faster immigration check-in and checkout."

With 2013 budgets being met as planned and a number of new business deals being signed, RAK International Airport will be focusing this year's strategy on providing attractive maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) facilities, promoting public and private partnerships, training and highlighting its cargo activities.

RAK Airport authorities recently explored Saudi Arabia as a new feeder market by partaking in the Riyadh Travel Fair, and in the Afghanistan Air Cargo & Logistics Conference which resulted in a lot of interest being generated for potential business into the emirate from the Kingdom.

Building further on the momentum of the first quarter's success, RAK International Airport will be exhibiting at the upcoming Arabian Travel Market (ATM), being held from 6-9 May in Dubai. The airport aims to spruce up business in charter and scheduled airlines which is its 2013 focus and will be highlighting the successes of its routes from the Russian Federation, which commenced during the winter of last year.

"Five of the global 10 fastest growing markets for international passenger traffic are among the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) with the others in Latin America, Africa and the Asia-Pacific region," explained Gower. "We have had tremendous response from chartered and scheduled airlines from the CIS and Europe flying into our airport which explains the growth in aircraft movements and revenues last quarter."

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About RAK International Airport
Inaugurated in 1976 by H.H. Sheikh Saqr bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, RAK International Airport is currently celebrating 35 years of operation. Located 18 km from the city, the airport is modern with state-of-the-art equipment and boasts a 3,760-metre-long runway capable of handling the biggest aircraft currently in service. Six scheduled carriers and over 25 charter airlines fly through RAK International Airport. The airport was the second in the GCC to secure the ISO 9001: 2000 accreditation for quality management.

For further information, please contact:
Gladson Ronad
Action Global Communications
T: +971 4 390 2961 M: +971 55 1980881
E: gladson.r@actionprgroup.com

© Press Release 2013