flydubai to start flights to Yemen from April

Dubai-based no frills carrier flydubai is to commence flights to Yemen next month, it was announced this week. Flights to the Yemeni capital of Sana’a will start from April 22 and will operate four times a week. "We are delighted to add Yemen to our expanding Middle East network and are deeply grateful to the Yemeni authorities for their support. flydubai's low-cost direct connection will provide travellers with an easy link to Sana'a, in turn driving tourism and investment to this historically-rich and culturally-vibrant city," said flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith. The nation's capital and one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Sana'a is Yemen's largest city and accounts for 30 percent of the country's industrial establishments. The UAE recorded AED500m (US$136m) worth of exports annually to Yemen between 2007 and 2010, according to data from the Dubai Chamber of Commerce. "Historically, the UAE and Yemen have enjoyed strong socio-political and cultural ties. By increasing direct airlinks between the two countries, we aim to boost trade and tourism, taking bilateral relations to the next level," added Ghaith Al Ghaith. One way fares from Dubai to Sana'a start at AED570 (US$155) and fares from Sana'a to Dubai start at AED 605 (US$165).