DUBAI-based flydubai continues the expansion of its network in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) by adding Sarajevo in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Zagreb in Croatia. These two new routes, on which operations will commence in December this year, bring the number of destinations the carrier serves in the CEE and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to 26. The airline will then serve a total of 75 destinations within a five-and-a-half-hour flying radius of Dubai. To support the continuous growth of its network and added frequency on its existing routes, flydubai will take delivery of three new Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s in July, growing its fleet to 39 aircraft. The carrier will receive an additional four aircraft by the end of 2014. Commenting on the launch, flydubai's Chief Executive Officer, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “We remain focused on opening up underserved markets and strengthening air links from Dubai's aviation hub to the region. The new flights to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia represent new opportunities for travel, trade and tourism for passengers in both countries and the UAE.” flydubai will become the first carrier to operate direct flights from Dubai to Sarajevo and Zagreb. The airline is also the first Dubai-based airline to serve Almaty and Shymkent in Kazakhstan and flights to these routes will commence in September. In addition, Business Class will be available on all four of these routes, providing passengers with additional convenience and comfort as they travel. Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President Commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS) at flydubai, said: “Kazakhstan is a growing economy with a wealth of investment opportunities and exciting tourist attractions, while Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia have an abundance of nature and culture to explore. We are pleased to provide a direct air link to these destinations.” The airline has the most comprehensive network of all Middle Eastern carriers to the CEE and CIS regions and has built up a network of: nine points in Russia, three points in Ukraine and two points in Kazakhstan in addition to Ashgabat, Baku, Belgrade, Bishkek, Bucharest, Chisinau, Dushanbe, Sarajevo, Skopje, Tbilisi, Yerevan and Zagreb. — SG
