RAK airport woos European carriers
Ras Al Khaimah, June 16, 2013
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport has embarked on a major global promotion campaign to woo leading European and Russian carriers into the northern emirate.
With a few airlines already committed to bringing in their tourists this year, the airport is expecting to significantly increase its passenger and airline numbers in 2013, said a statement from the company.
Ras Al Khaimah International Airport was a key exhibitor at the recent 'Routes Europe' expo in Budapest, Hungary, a catchment area of 13 million people within a three hour drive from neighbouring countries such as Austria, Slovakia, Ukraine, Serbia Romania and Croatia, it added.
The airport had discussion with several European carriers and was able to sell the delights of UAE’s winter sun holiday destination.
With key decision makers in the airline, airport and tourism industries who meet and do business face to face from route expansion, route performance, to future planning, RAK International Airport has strategically used the Routes events to further push the message of Ras Al Khaimah to the rest of the world, said a top official.
“The Routes Forum is an ideal business platform for us to network, discuss and attract airlines to Ras Al Khaimah. We have already received several expressions of interest from European and Russian airlines to fly into RAK Airport this winter,” said CEO Andrew Gower.
"RAK has a lot to offer for both business and toursits. With 25 per cent year on year growth for the airport and as the emirate of Ras Al Khamiah finds itself on the map of several airlines around the world we are gearing ourselves for further growth in coming years," he added.
Six scheduled carriers and over 25 charter airlines fly through RAK International Airport. The airport was the second in the GCC to secure the ISO 9001: 2000 accreditation for quality management.
The airport is now gearing up to participate in the upcoming Routes Africa to be held in Uganda, Routes CIS, Ukraine and the World Routes Forum in Las Vegas later this year. The airport had previously participated in Routes India in March.-TradeArabia News Service
