Low cost airline "flydubai" launches cargo operation

Dubai's low cost airline "flydubai" announced Thursday that it would launch a new division to support its goal of making cargo transport across the region via Dubai simple, accessible and affordable. Flydubai Cargo, which is due to start on January 1, 2012, will transport goods to all of the 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. "Earlier this year we created our own Engineering and Maintenance division, and cargo is another example of our rapid expansion," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai. With 60 percent of all shipments expected to be transit cargo, flydubai has signed interline agreements with other airlines for moving items out of its network. Flydubai expects to carry 1,500 tons of cargo each month on its Boeing 737-800 NG aircraft, which is equal to 15 Boeing 777 freighters. In line with the International Air Transport Association 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 U.S. dollars across the industry. Established in March 2008, flydubai is Dubai's first low-cost airline and the fastest growing start-up airline in the world. Since commencing operations in June 2009, the airline has established an operational route network of 46 destinations across Middle East and North Africa, Asia and the fringes of Europe and has built up a fleet of 20 aircraft.