flights are the first direct link between Eritrea and the UAE

Dubai, United Arab Emirates; 30 July 2015: Dubai-based flydubai has  announced the addition of Eritrea to its African network. Direct flights between Dubai and the capital city of Asmara will commence on 25 October 2015 with 4 flights a week. The flights will mark the start of the first direct link between Eritrea and the UAE. Asmara is the second African destination added to the flydubai network this year after Hargeisa, which began in June.

Commenting on the launch, Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai CEO said, "We are keen to reflect the UAE's efforts to support emerging markets, particularly in East Africa. Adding to our recent operations to Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Somaliland, we are delighted to add a direct link between the UAE and another emerging market with great potential for more growth. Asmara becomes the 18th destination to join our network this year."

Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President Commercial (GCC, Subcontinent, Africa) for flydubai, said: "flydubai will be the first UAE carrier to connect Dubai with Asmara as trade and tourism continue to rise between the UAE, Africa and the rest of the world. The new route emphasises our commitment to bring a better travel experience and reliable aviation services to previously underserved markets as well as offering more travel options to the UAE, the region and beyond through Dubai's efficient aviation hub. Additionally flights to Asmara will provide the Eritrean diaspora with greater opportunity to visit their families and friends in their home country." 

flydubai's Business Class will be available on flights to and from Asmara, offering passengers a more comfortable and personalised service from a member of crew dedicated to the business class cabin as well as benefitting from priority services on the ground.

In line with the growing trade and tourism ties between the UAE and East and North Africa, flydubai launched its first African route to Djibouti in 2009 followed by Addis Ababa in 2011. Last year, the airline added six new routes to its network, connecting Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. With the addition of Asmara, flydubai operates 60 weekly flights to 13 destinations in Africa.

Flight details:

flights between Dubai and Asmara will commence on 25 October 2015 with 4 flights a week, with flight FZ665/666 operating on Monday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

Round trip fares from Dubai:

Economy Class return fares to Asmara will start at AED 1,950 including 7kg hand baggage and 20kg checked baggage, while Business Class return fares will start at AED 4,800 and are inclusive of all taxes and 40kg checked baggage.

Flights between Dubai and Asmara can be purchased from flydubai's website (flydubai.com), its Contact Centre +971 600 544 445, 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 more than 90 destinations, with 18 new routes announced in 2015.

  • Opened up 57 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 49 new aircraft and will take delivery of more than 100 aircraft by the end of 2023, all of which will be Boeing 737-800s.

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: Kareem Mahjoub: kareem.mahjoub@flydubai.com or +971 55 635 6196 

© Press Release 2015