RAK Airways, the fourth national airline of UAE, launched its non- stop flights to Kozhikode (Calicut) in India this morning.

Announcing the launch of the service at Hotel Al Hamra Fort in Ras Al Khaimah yesterday, Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, chairman of RAK Civil Aviation and deputy chairman of RAK Airways, said the commencement of daily flights to India marked a significant milestone for RAK Airways as well as the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah, which had long standing historical and trade ties with India.

RAK Airways operates Boeing 757 aircraft, which can accommodate 194 passengers, 174 in economy class and 20 in business class, for its Kozhikode flight.

The daily flights depart from Ras Al Khaimah at 0340 hrs and arrive at Kozhikode at 0900 hrs. The return flights would leave Kozhikode at 1000 hrs and reach Ras Al Khaimah at 1230 hrs.

K  Ravindran, chief operating officer of RAK Airways said: “We are extremely proud to announce flights to Kozhikode as Keralites form majority of the Indian expatriate community in Ras Al Khaimah and the surrounding areas and RAK Airways is committed to provide world class travel solutions to them. RAK Airways believes in providing premium service to its customers, in line with our strategy to enhance customer satisfaction by adding new destinations, increased frequency and new generation aircraft.”

He added that RAK Airways would be offering very competitive fares in the sector. “We will be following a relatively fixed pricing policy with only limited fluctuations during peak season. The Economy class passengers would be allowed to carry 40 kg checked baggage while the Premium class passengers will be offered 50 kg, apart from the normal hand baggage allowance.

He said that to add a personal touch to its services, the airline would have Malayalam speaking cabin crew and would explore the possibility to offer traditional menu onboard. 

The airline is also offering free transportation between RAK Airport and other UAE locations viz. Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah.

On the network expansion strategy of the airline, the COO said that RAK Airways expects to add additional one or two destinations in India soon. “We have applied for permission to start services to Kochi, Hyderabad, Mumbai and other places and hope to get permission for one or two destinations soon,” he added.

Ravindran said that the airline was also planning to undertake flights to Saudi Arabia, Oman, Syria, Cairo and some destinations in Africa during the next 6- 8 months, subject to securing official approvals.

RAK Airways had recently signed a Dh1.65 billion deal with Boeing for the purchase of four new-generation 737-800NG aircraft, the delivery of which is expected to start in 2011.

RAK Airways currently offers non- stop flights to Dhaka and Chittagong in Bangladesh and Colombo.

Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of RAK Civil Aviation and Deputy Chairman of RAK Airways, cutting the cake on the announcement of the launch of daily non- stop flights to Kozhikode, India at Hotel Al Hamra Fort in Ras Al Khaimah on Monday. - TradeArabia News Service