Dubai-based flydubai's inaugural flight to Moscow landed yesterday at Vnukovo International Airport and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute.
flydubai's delegation was headed by Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President Commercial (U.A.E., EU, ME, CIS), and they were greeted by airport officials, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vnukovo International Airport, Vitaly Vantsev, and the General Director of Vnukovo International Airport, Vasily Alexandrov.
With the launch of direct daily flights to Moscow, flydubai now serves nine destinations in Russia and has one of the most comprehensive networks in the country among U.A.E.-based airlines. In addition the airline offers Business Class and cargo services on each of its Russian routes.
Speaking at a press conference at Vnukovo International Airport, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said, "Since launching flights to Russia in 2010 we have consistently seen strong demand for travel between the U.A.E. and Russia and with daily flights to Moscow, flydubai provides passengers with another option to travel between the two countries. The new route will enhance connectivity and strengthen trade, travel and tourism." The U.A.E. and Russia enjoy strong economic ties and, according to the U.A.E. Ministry of Economy, trade between the countries grew by 90 per cent in 2013, exceeding US$ 3 billion. The U.A.E. also ranks among the top 10 tourist destinations for Russian travellers.
Having built an extensive network in Russia, flydubai is committed to developing travel opportunities between the two countries. The airline launched flights to Samara and Yekaterinburg in 2010, followed by Kazan and Ufa in 2011 and doubled its network last year with four destinations in south-west Russia: Krasnodar, Mineralnye Vody, Rostov-on-Don and Volgograd.
Source: WAM