Some RAK Airways ground staff and aircrews applaud during the slicing of a commemorative cake in observance of the airline's third anniversary. UAE's RAK Airways celebrated its third anniversary with pomp and show at the Manar Mall, Ras Al Khaimah on Oct. 10-11. The show was witnessed by an overwhelming crowd, powered by UAE youth dance team and 15 UAE-based vernacular televisions. In a statement, Sheikh Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, Ras Al Khaimah and Vice-Chairman of RAK Airways, said “I would personally like to thank our well-wishers for their loyalty and support to the airline. Even as we enter our third year we would like to announce that we will be opening two more destinations shortly – Dammam and Najaf. While Dammam will be our third destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Najaf will be our first entry into the state of Iraq.” The airline's two-day celebrations at the Manar Mall, Ras Al Khaimah brought in well-wishers from throughout the UAE. The airline extended discounted vouchers to all the well-wishers to the airline's 12 destinations, encouraging travel enthusiasts to fly RAK Airways from the Northern Emirates of the United Arab Emirates. RAK Airways is the only full service carrier from Northern Emirates of the UAE and the airline has seen a boost of 40 percent increase in its passenger strength over the first half of 2013. In 2012 the airline flew 300,000 passengers. — SG
