Flydubai raises with 3 new flights

Low-cost airline flydubai last week launched flights to Kiev, Kharkiv and Donetsk as part of its commitment to open up routes previously under-served by direct air links to the UAE. Representing its entry into Ukraine, the three new routes bring flydubai's total operational network to 44 destinations across the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Indian subcontinent, Asia and the fringes of Europe and pave the way for UAE football fans looking to travel to Ukraine for the upcoming UEFA Euro 2012. Flydubai's inaugural flights to Ukraine's capital Kiev and its second major city Kharkiv took off from Dubai on Friday at 9 and 9.10am respectively. They were then followed by the airline's first flight to the eastern city of Donetsk, which took off yesterday at 9am, also departing from Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport. The inaugural flights were celebrated at official ceremonies held at the international airports of each city, at which senior flydubai and Ukraine state officials, including Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Boris Kolesnikov and flydubai CEO Gaith Al Gaith were present. Al Gaith said he was proud that the low-cost airline had become the first Middle Eastern airline to operate direct services to Kiev, Kharkiv and Donetsk and that the new routes would herald a new era of prosperity between the Middle East and Ukraine. "This is an historic week for flydubai and illustrates the scale of our ambition to expand into emerging markets, as well as our firm commitment to Ukraine," said Al Gaith. "I am confident our Ukrainian routes will be very popular with travellers across the region wishing to explore the crossroads of Europe and Russia," he said. Kolesnikov, who is also Minister of Infrastructure and Chairman of UEFA Euro 2012, said: "Our infrastructure development for UEFA Euro 2012 is well underway and includes heavy investment in aviation to accommodate the increased traffic expected during the games and beyond. "Attracting quality airlines is key to our strategy and we are delighted to welcome flydubai here today. Flydubai offers high quality affordable direct flights which will definitely stimulate traffic between our two countries.