Low-cost airline Flydubai has announced it will offer direct flights from Dubai, UAE to Basra, Iraq starting with effect from August 8, 2012. The airline will initially offer four round-trip flights per week on this new route.

FZ229 is scheduled to depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 8:45am, landing in Basra International Airport at 9:40am local time. The return flight FZ230 departs Basra at 10:40am,, arriving in Dubai at 1:25pm local time.

Basra will be Flyduvbai’s fifth destination in Iraq, after Baghdad, Najaf, Sulaimaniyah, and Erbil.

Return fares from Dubai to Basra start at AED 2,205 ($600) and include one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg, one small laptop bag or handbag plus 20kg of checked baggage.

Flydubai, Dubai’s pioneering low cost airline, added to its expanding network with the start of flights to Baghdad, Iraq.

The inaugural flight FZ215 took off from Dubai Terminal 2 at 1355hrs on Tuesday, January 17, 2012, landing at Baghdad International Airport at 1545hrs. In addition to Arbil and Sulaimaniyah, the four-times weekly flight to Baghdad increases flydubai’s presence in Iraq to three cities. Flights to Najaf, flydubai’s fourth Iraqi point, will start on Sunday, January 29, 2012.

Flydubai CEO Ghaith Al-Ghaith said: “I would like to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the Iraqi authorities. Thanks to their strong support, flydubai now serves three major cities in Iraq, with another, Najaf, to follow later this month. Our new route will provide travelers between Baghdad and Dubai a quality, affordable option that will help to boost business and trade, and reinforce existing ties between the two countries.”

Flydubai, the budget airline based in the UAE, is ready for their 50th destination – Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic, part of the former Soviet Union. Flights between Dubai and Bishkek will launch on February 7, 2012.

Flights will operate twice a week, departing Dubai on Tuesdays and Fridays, with flights from Bishkek to Dubai leaving on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

The entry into the Kyrgyz Republic expands the global network of the low cost carrier to 28 countries across the Middle East, Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.

flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “We are proud to launch our latest services, bringing our destinations in the former Soviet Union to 12. It is also a significant milestone for us as the 50th destination we have announced – quite an achievement since our first flight in June 2009.”

“We have already launched operations to a number of cities in Central Asia and we believe Bishkek will be just as well received.”

Low cost airline Flydubai has announced the launch of a new division to support the airline’s goal of making the transportation of goods and people across the Middle East simple, accessible and affordable.

Flydubai Cargo, which is due to start on January 1, 2012, will transport goods to all of the low cost carrier’s 46 destinations, as well as additional cities in India and Pakistan. Cargo, including perishable items, textiles, electronics, couriered items, mail, pharmaceuticals and general cargo, can originate from any point on the Flydubai network or beyond.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of Flydubai, said: “I am very pleased to announce the start of Flydubai Cargo, which is another significant achievement for the airline. Earlier this year we created our own engineering and maintenance division, and cargo is another example of our rapid expansion”.

With 60 per cent of all shipments expected to be transit cargo, Flydubai has signed interline agreements with other airlines when moving items outside its network. Flydubai expects to carry 1,500 tonnes of cargo each month on its Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, which is equal to 15 Boeing 777 freighters. In particular demand are auto parts travelling from Dubai to countries in the former CIS, handicrafts from Kathmandu and fruit and vegetables around the GCC countries.

Meanwhile, in line with the International Air Transport Association (Iata) e-freight initiative, all shipments will be transported with electronic documents rather than paper air waybills. The move is estimated to save $1.2 billion across the industry.

flydubai announced the addition of Riyadh and Jeddah to its network, expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia from three to five key destinations. Flights to Riyadh and Jeddah will commence on May 1st, with daily flights to the capital and a four times per week service to Jeddah. As the twin-centres of Saudi Arabia’s administrative, financial and commercial activities, the new routes are of strategic importance to flydubai and will supplement its existing routes to Abha, Gassim and Yanbu.

flydubai CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “I am delighted to be able to announce the start of flydubai’s service to Jeddah and Riyadh on May 1. These cities are of prime importance in this region and we are honoured to have the opportunity to serve the Saudi people in Riyadh and Jeddah. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Saudi authorities for their support and assistance in making these flights possible. We look forward to playing our part in strengthening an already strong relationship between the UAE and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia with these new flights and we hope to continue to offer travellers between our two nations a quality, affordable travel option for many years to come.”

Home to the headquarters of several global organizations, Jeddah is considered one of the top commercial centres of the Middle East. With a population of over 3.4 million, and the largest sea port on the Red Sea, the ‘boom town’ has experienced a 21st century transformation, as discussed at the recently held Jeddah Economic forum. flydubai will operate a four flights per week service to the city.

Meanwhile, as the largest city in Saudi Arabia, Riyadh is home to seven million residents and a flourishing industrial economy, with some of the world’s largest crude oil factories. The dynamic metropolis is also known for its 4,300 mosques, cultural museums and contemporary architecture.

Saudi Arabia is the top export destination for Dubai, especially for products such as electrical equipment and mineral fuels. Trade relationships between the two nations are expected to increase, with improvements in non-oil foreign trade across the Middle East. Saudi Arabia trades with over 155 countries and its 2010 exports amounted to $235.3 billion.

Flights to Jeddah will depart Dubai Terminal 2 on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 0520hrs, arriving in Jeddah at 0715hrs local time. The return flight will depart Jeddah at 0815hrs, landing back in Dubai at 1205hrs. Flights to Riyadh, meanwhile, will operate as follows;

Mondays and Fridays: Depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 1945hrs, landing in Riyadh at 2035hrs local time. The return flight will take off at 2120hrs, arriving in Dubai at 0015hrs.
Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays: Depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 0755hrs, landing in Riyadh at 0845hrs local time. The return flight will take off at 0930hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1220hrs.
Wednesdays: Depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 1555hrs, landing in Riyadh at 1645hrs local time. The return flight will take off at 1730hrs, arriving in Dubai at 2020hrs.

A one-way fare to Riyadh from Dubai starts at AED 450, with flights to Jeddah from AED 570. Both fares include one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. Fares from Riyadh to Dubai, meanwhile, are priced from AED 410, with flights from Jeddah to Dubai starting at AED 530. Checked baggage starts at AED 50 for 20kgs. A seat with extra legroom costs AED100.