flydubai touches down in Kathmandu
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Dubai, UAE, December 15, 2009 - flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost carrier, was on top of the world today after touching down in Kathmandu, Nepal, home to the planet’s highest point - Mount Everest. The spectacular Himalayan nation was the second new destination in under a week for the airline, after it commenced flights to Bahrain on Sunday.
The dramatic mountain range route becomes the eleventh in flydubai’s network and its first east of Dubai. Kathmandu is also the furthest destination reached by flydubai’s Boeing 737-800NG aircraft at 3,000kms from Dubai and a flying time of 3hours 55 minutes.
A special welcoming committee including Mr. Shtrudhn Prasad Singh, State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Mr. Subash Niraula, Officiating CEO, Nepal Tourism Board; Mr. Dinesh Prasad Shrestha, General Manager, Tribhuvan International Airport; Mr. R. S. Bajracharya, Deputy Inspector General and Chief of Airport security; Mr. S. R. Prasai, Chairman, Universal Tours and Travels and other officials from the ministry and Tourism Board greeted the aircraft and its passengers on arrival.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai was also on board: “This is a great time for flydubai. The past four weeks have been one of the busiest periods since we launched. We signed major aircraft financing agreements worth nearly US$ 200 million at the Dubai Airshow and we have opened routes to Khartoum, Baku, Bahrain and now Kathmandu.”
The thriving capital of Nepal is becoming a popular destination for hundreds of thousands of tourists, many of them coming for the breathtaking views and treks of the Himalayas. Almost three times as many tourists have visited the region in the first half of this year as in the same period in 2008, said the country’s tourism authority.
“Our strategy is to combine well known routes that enjoy a service from many airlines, with routes that are less popular and are underserved by the larger carriers. Kathmandu is a great destination with room for more services and I’m confident that flydubai’s simple, low cost fares will prove to be very popular on this route. Nepal is an experience waiting to happen, and we will make it happen,” Al Ghaith added.
Kathmandu is Nepal’s main business centre and has a population of just over 3 million. The city is documented by many travellers as one of the most beautiful and mysterious locations in the world and is often the starting point for travellers who visit the Himalayas and in particular the base camp of Mount Everest each year. Everest reaches a peak of 8,850 metres (29,035 feet).
On the occasion, Mr. Shtrudhn Prasad Singh, State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism said: “The commencement of flydubai’s direct connection between Dubai and Kathmandu will provide greater access to Nepali community in UAE and will surely enhance future trade, commerce, and tourism between two countries. We are happy to know that flydubai operating out of Dubai International Airport will provide greater access to world travelers from Dubai into Kathmandu with increased convenience. We welcome flydubai into Nepal.”
flydubai operates four flights a week to Kathmandu. FZ567 leaves Dubai International Airport Terminal 2 at 0700hrs, and arrives at 1240hrs local time, on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday. The return flight FZ568 leaves Kathmandu at 1340hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1710hrs. Flight prices start from just AED350 one way.
flydubai’s growing network also includes Beirut-Lebanon, Amman-Jordan, Damascus and Aleppo-Syria, Alexandria-Egypt, Djibouti-Africa, Doha-Qatar, Khartoum-Sudan, Baku-Azerbaijan and Bahrain.
The flydubai model is simple, with customers paying only for the services they want to receive. The price includes all taxes and one piece of hand baggage, weighing up to 10 kg, per passenger.
Passengers have the option to purchase checked-in baggage in advance at just AED 40 for the first piece and AED 100 for the second, weighing up to 32 kg, subject to availability. Checked baggage at the airport is also strictly subject to availability and passengers are advised to book online early to secure the space, as only pre-purchased baggage can be guaranteed.
A nominal payment of AED 5 allows customers to select their seat and just AED 50 secures the extra legroom positions. Bookings can be changed for a small fee, plus any difference in the fare, and food and drink can be purchased on board.
flydubai operates from a modernised and enhanced Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport.
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