Flydubai's inaugural flight took off from Dubai and touched down in Male, the capital of the Maldives January 20, according to AMEinfo.com.
The first flight, FZ561, took off from Dubai Terminal 2 and arrived at Male Ibrahim Nasir International Airport on Sunday. The flight was welcomed with a water canon salutation followed by senior Maldivian state officials and Flydubai's Chief Executive Officer, Ghaith Al Ghaith receiving the aircraft on the runway, said the report in AMEinfo.com.
The initiation of the flight from Dubai to Maldives will increase the number of tourists visiting the islands with flydubai offering low-cost fares to visitors. The flight will be scheduled to travel from Dubai to Male five times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
"The start of Flydubai's flights opens our wonderful nation to a wider number of tourists, while also offering affordable fares to Dubai for our residents," said Ahmed Adheeb Abdul Ghafoor, Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. "Through this regular service, we look forward to welcoming travellers from a wider range of destinations and continuing to develop our tourism appeal."
Ghaith Al Ghaith said during the press conference held at the Jumeirah Vittaveli resort after the flight landing at Male that the launch of the new flight to the Maldives will attract many travelers with its low-cost fares and impressive services on board. "I am confident that the Maldives will prove attractive to passengers from across our network, particularly those in the GCC and CIS regions who can transit easily through Dubai's aviation hub," he said.
Boeing continued its support with flydubai to provide the 737-800 aircraft last year which is highly efficient and provides superior on board facilities, said Kent Craver, Regional Director for Passenger Satisfaction and Revenue, Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
"We are extremely proud of our partnership with Flydubai and their confidence in the Boeing 737," he said. "Thanks to its unparalleled operating efficiencies and unique Boeing Sky Interior cabin environment, the 737 is an important enabler of Flydubai's business model, which is based on affordable fares and a superior onboard experience."
