Dubai-based airline flydubai, which recently commenced operations from Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi, is aiming to tap into more markets in India, a top official said today.
"We need more frequency of more flights to Kerala and other states as it would help expatriates in GCC, medical patients... There is need to tap into more markets," flydubai Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith told reporters here.
The Visa on arrival was a "game changer" and would give a big boost to tourism, he said.
Tourism between India and the UAE and the rest of the flydubai network continues to drive demand for travel. There has been consistent and postive growth of Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTA) from the Middle East to India over the last three yeasrs as investment, tourism and trade ties continue to stergthen between the two regions.
Ghaith said: "we look forward to working closely with the authorities going forward".
Last year India became the top trading partner of Dubai with a trade volume of USD 37 billion. The UAE is also India's top export destination accounting for more than 10 per cent of its tangible exports.
The low cost carrier, which began operations to Kerala and Delhi from this month onwards, is keen to have more frequency of flights to Kerala and other states in India, he said.
Sudhir Sreedharan, Senior Vice President Commercial (GCC, Sub-continent, Africa) for flydubai, said the new flights will give passengers from different regions in India direct links to Dubai, enhancing flight connectivity beyond the city to GCC countries and to destinations in Africa, Central Asia, Russia and Europe most of which have no direct links to India.
The airlines will deploy Business class configured aircraft on all three new routes, he said.
Flydubai is operating three flights a week each between Dubai and Kochi and thiruvananthapuram.
On the fares, he said while starting fares from Kochi would be Rs 17,000 which includes 7 kg cabin baggage. Facilties to watch movies, hot food and more leg space will add on to the cost of the fare.
"We will go to every airport in India if we get permission," Sreedharan said, and expressed the hope that the new government would open up more airports for the carrier.
The airlines is operating a fleet of 36 new Next Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft. India has become the third largest country that flydubai operates to by number of points. It is already operating to Lucknow, Ahmedabad and Hyderabad.
By the end of this year, the airlines will have 43 aircraft and 80 destinations.
