(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Flydubai's inaugural flight touched down at 50th destination on Monday when it landed in Skopje, the capital of the Republic of Macedonia, marking the low-cost carrier's 15th passenger route in Central & Eastern Europe.
Flydubai's chief executive officer Ghaith Al Ghaith and journalists from Gulf countries were greeted by the Minister for Transport and Communication Mile Janakieski and the chief operating officer of TAV Holding Murat Ornekol, following a water canon salute on touchdown.
This is the first direct connection of any Gulf-based airline to Macedonia. Top officials from both the sides said this connection will help promote trade and tourism between both the countries and respective regions.
The trade volume between the UAE and Macedonia recorded a drastic jump of 80 per cent last year, compared to the previous year, according to the UAE's Ministry of Foreign Trade.
"Initially, there are two weekly flights from Dubai to Skopje and if we see the demand we will make it three in a week," Al Ghaith told Khaleej Times after the news conference.
He said through this new flight flydubai is opening new route for the people of Macedonia to come and see Dubai's hospitality and also get access to other countries as the Dubai provides connections to more than 150 destinations. On the other side people from the UAE and other Gulf countries also have an affordable connection to see this beautify country, he added.
"More than 40 per cent of our route development this year has taken place in Central and Eastern Europe and with the addition of Skopje, we are connecting the UAE to another underserved market. This illustrates our commitment to this region, while also opening up opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with different nations," he said.
Flights to Skopje operate twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays and return fares from Dubai to Skopje start at Dh2,380 all inclusive even checked baggage.
"Low-cost airlines such as flydubai offer passengers affordable travel options and the regions in which they operate often experience rapid economic development. The inclusion of Skopje as a destination into flydubai's network has great significance as these flights will not only connect Skopje to Dubai, but indirectly to more than 50 destinations around the world where the airline operates and beyond," the minister said.
TAV Holding chief operating officer said: "The launch of flights between Skopje and Dubai will have a positive effect on the Macedonian diaspora living in Australia. The time on board and number of connecting flights to different airports will dramatically decrease and Macedonians living in Australia will be able to arrive in Skopje faster and easier. With this launch Macedonian citizens and those of neighbouring countries will be able to fly directly to the UAE from Skopje's Alexander the Great Airport."
Skopje is the second addition to flydubai's CIS and Central & Eastern European network this month, following the start of flights to Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, on 1 October 2012. The airline now serves 15 destinations including: Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine and from Monday, the Republic of Macedonia.
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