Dubai-based flydubai has pushed the boundaries of its route network with the launch of flights to Bangkok, its first double daily service outside the GCC.
The inaugural flight from Dubai International Terminal 2 landed at Bangkok International Airport yesterday.
Bangkok, at just over six hours, joins Prague and Yekaterinburg as one of the longest flights on its route network, which also extends west into Africa and north into central and eastern Europe.
The chief executive, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said the route was “a significant milestone for our airline and represents the increasing maturity of flydubai’s network”.
The route is expected to attract outbound tourists from the UAE as well as passengers from Russia and Europe seeking to transit through Dubai.
Thailand is already a popular destination for holidaymakers from the Emirates as well as medical tourists. Last year, Thailand received 150,000 medical tourists from the UAE, a 2.5 per cent increase over 2014.
The airline said in September that it would take delivery of six aircraft during the second half of this year, which would allow an additional 77 flights per week to be added to services from Dubai International Airport to about 20 destinations across its network, including Moscow, Zanzibar and Colombo.
The addition of this latest route by the Dubai carrier comes amid heavy fare discounting by airlines that are cutting ticket prices in response to overcapacity in the global aviation industry.
That represents good news for passengers who benefit from cheaper flights than usual as the holiday season approaches. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai and British Airways are among the carriers currently offering flight sales.
For the launch of flights to Bangkok, flydubai is offering promotional rates that start at Dh1,240 for return fares in economy class, including taxes. Business-class fares start at Dh3,240.
The carrier operates a fleet comprised entirely of Boeing 737-800 aircraft. It aims to take delivery of more than 100 aircraft by the end of 2023.
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Growth forecasts: Cut for 2025 from 2 per cent to 1 per cent. The OBR watchdog also estimated inflation will average 3.2 per cent this year
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Spending cuts: Overall day-to day-spending across government cut by £6.1bn in 2029-30
Tax evasion: Steps to crack down on tax evasion to raise “£6.5bn per year” for the public purse
Defence: New high-tech weaponry, upgrading HM Naval Base in Portsmouth
Housing: Housebuilding to reach its highest in 40 years, with planning reforms helping generate an extra £3.4bn for public finances
