29 April 2009
BEIRUT: Lebanon's tourism sector could get an unexpected boost this summer, not only from the recent political stability, but also from new daily flights between Beirut and Dubai offered by the Emirate's first low-cost carrier, flydubai. Flydubai launched online ticket sales on April 6, and seats for flights beginning June 1 are already selling out. "We have already sold out flights around the election period and have had requests to open more routes at this time," said flydubai CEO Ghaith al-Ghaith.
Established by the government under the patronage of Sheikh Ahmad bin Saeed al-Maktoum to meet the needs of its cosmopolitan population for more affordable travel options, the airline will also inject the Emirate with more tourists.
Current promotions advertise a Beirut-Dubai one-way ticket with a fare beginning at $100. Marketing its rates as "fair fares," flydubai includes taxes in its advertised prices for greater transparency and simplicity.
"There are no hidden fees, the price you see or hear in the advertisement is the price you pay," said Account Manager Rima Salman.
As another part of its "stress-free, simple" agenda, all ticket sales are processed online and the airline issues e-boarding passes, allowing passengers to skip check-in, unless they have baggage in excess of the allotted 10 kilogram hand luggage limit.
Fortunately for anyone looking to go on a weekend shopping spree, extra baggage does not incur a hefty fee. The fee for one bag is set at just $11 for 32 kilograms. A second bag, also with a 32 kilogram limit, costs only $27.
Counting on the streamlining of processes, simplification of distribution, reduction of turnaround time, provision of paid-for in-flight services, and the increased fuel efficiency of a fleet of all new planes, flydubai expects that it can achieve its objective to offer the lowest price on the market.
The airline began with a deal for 50 of the newest Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft signed for delivery over five years. The fleet's uniformity will mean reduced maintenance costs and lower training costs for pilots and crew.
By the end of this year flydubai expects to be operating with six more planes and a multi-lingual, international cabin crew of at least 120, giving it the potential to serve around 14 to 16 destinations.
"Travel is under-served in Dubai as far as demand is concerned and an airline is like a highway, this is how we see it," Ghaith said, emphasizing that the importance for the airline is not so much about profit as it is about making Dubai more accessible. "Increased access leads to increased prosperity, and this is the idea."
Flydubai will make its maiden voyage to Beirut on June 1, and will open a second route to Amman on June 2.
As for why flydubai chose Beirut as its first destination to open, the decision came about largely due to the open sky policy that Lebanon shares with the Emirate. "We share the most open skies in the Arab world ... and we also wanted to take advantage of the peak of the summer season. Lebanon is a very popular destination," Ghaith concluded, adding with a smile, "I come here every summer."
Copyright The Daily Star 2009.
