(MENAFN - Khaleej Times) DUBAI - flydubai, Dubai's innovative low-cost airline, on Wednesday announced that it is to start operations to Tabuk, Saudi Arabia on November 7.
"We are very grateful to the Saudi authorities for helping us connect Dubai to underserved destinations in the kingdom. Aside from its business credentials, Tabuk is also an emerging leisure hub. With more and more families preferring to travel within the region, this low-cost link provides an alternative holiday spot," flydubai chief executive officer Ghaith Al Ghaith said.
Due to the influx of visitors and a number of key infrastructure projects underway in the city, including upgrades to Tabuk Airport, international travel trade companies such as global hoteliers are travelling to the city, raising its tourism appeal.
Over the past ten years, Saudi Arabia has become the UAE's primary commercial partner within the GCC region. According to the Federal Customs Authority of the UAE, the kingdom is the UAE's top non-oil trading partner, with trade between the two nations amounting to Dh2.2 billion as of February 2012.
Flydubai already flies to Riyadh, Jeddah, Abha, Dammam, Gassim, Taif and Yanbu in Saudi Arabia. The airline has a simple model where customers only pay for services they want to receive. Once on board, travellers can choose from a range of optional extras including flydubai's award-winning in-flight entertainment system with packages priced from Dh10 or select from the varied menu of refreshments and Duty Free items.
Flights to Tabuk will operate between Terminal 2 on the north side of Dubai International Airport and Tabuk Airport.
Flight details
On Wednesdays, flight FZ881 is scheduled to depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 9:40am, landing in Tabuk Airport at 12:00. The return flight, FZ882, departs at 1:00pm, arriving in Dubai at 4:45pm.
On Fridays, flight FZ881 is scheduled to depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 9:35pm, landing in Tabuk Airport at 11:55pm. The return flight, FZ882, departs on Saturday morning at 12:55am, arriving in Dubai at 4:40am.
All times are local.
Return fares from Dubai to Tabuk start at Dh1,000 and include one piece of hand luggage weighing up to seven kilogrammes, one small laptop bag or handbag, plus 20 kilogrammes of checked baggage in each direction. A seat with more legroom costs Dh100 (28) extra.
