flydubai, Dubai's innovative low-cost airline, has made its maiden flight to Juba, the capital city of the Republic of South Sudan. The inaugural flight, FZ61, touched down at Juba Airport on Sunday with Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, and Buti Al Ghandi, managing director of Saeed Mohammed Al Ghandi & Sons, on board. The Vice President, Dr Riek Macha Teny, welcomed the flydubai and UAE media delegation with a celebratory ceremony held at the Presidential Terminal. Speaking at the press conference, flydubai's CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “We are delighted to have started flights to Juba today which is our 56th destination in operation across our route network. We are excited about the trade and travel opportunities that this new route brings to both the Republic of South Sudan and the United Arab Emirates.” The addition of Juba further broadens flydubai's network in Africa and opens up more routes to previously underserved markets. The carrier now serves six points in the continent: Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Djibouti, Juba, Khartoum and Port Sudan. “We would like to take the opportunity to thank the authorities for the warm welcome. The affordable, reliable and high quality service we offer will enable passengers to travel more frequently between our two nations and onward via one stop in Dubai aviation's hub,” added Al Ghaith. Elsewhere, flydubai started it's twice a week service to Mineralnye Vody, its fifth destination in Russia. The carrier will inaugurate two more new routes later in April, adding Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Dushanbe in Tajikistan to its expanding network. To support the rapid network growth, flydubai will take delivery of six new aircraft before the end of 2013, bringing its fleet to 34. flydubai's current fleet comprises of 28 brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft – one of the safest and most trusted aircraft ever to take to the skies. The remaining aircraft from its order of 50 placed in July 2008 will be delivered by 2016. Flights to Juba will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. FZ611 will take-off from Dubai Terminal 2 at 0915, landing in Juba at 1305 local time, with the return flight, FZ612, departing Juba at 1500, with a scheduled arrival time in Dubai of 2035 local time. Return fares to Juba from Dubai start at SR2,380 while return fares to Dubai from Juba start at $650. Special launch fares at $599 for return flights from Juba. All fares are inclusive of 20kg checked baggage allowance, a 7kg hand baggage allowance plus one small laptop bag or handbag and taxes. A seat with extra legroom costs SR100. Once on board, passengers can choose from a range of optional extras, including in-flight entertainment packages priced from SR10 or select from the varied menu of refreshments and Duty Free items. Flights can be purchased from flydubai's website (flydubai.com), its Call Center (+971 4 231 1000), flydubai Travel Shops or through travel partners. Bookings in Juba can be made by calling (+211 95 416 6999). Further information and details of the carrier's car rental and travel insurance services can also be found on flydubai.com. flydubai is committed to affordability, but does not compromise on quality, it said in a statement, adding that Innovation and value are two key characteristics that have set the airline apart and over the past three years it has maintained high levels of service standards and operational efficiency while maintaining affordable fares. flydubai has set new standards with its In-Flight Entertainment, becoming the first airline in the world to show movies in high definition. Passengers can choose from more than 900 hours of non-stop entertainment from the best of Hollywood, including over 225 movies, 200 TV programs and 370 music albums, at a small extra fee. flydubai launched its cargo service in January 2012, providing an affordable and convenient services making the transportation of goods across the region via Dubai simple, accessible and affordable. The airline has also signed a number of interline agreements with carriers including Emirates, Singapore Airlines and British Airways to ship goods beyond flydubai's passenger network, which now spans more than 55 destinations. — SG
