RAK Airways, a national carrier of the UAE, has expanded its route network with two flights a week to Peshawar and Lahore in Pakistan, effective November.

RAK Airways CEO, Omar Jahameh, said: “The addition of two new routes to our network is an extremely significant development for the airline as we celebrate our first anniversary. We re-launched operations in October 2010 with two inaugural routes – over the last twelve months we’ve focused our efforts on expanding our network to eight destinations while continuing to provide travellers with a value offering on all our flights.”

“Over the next few months we will continue to add to our network, with a range of new destinations around the GCC, Indian sub-continent and beyond,” said Jahameh.

With the addition of two new routes, RAK Airways now flies to eight destinations.

Jahameh explained the cities had been strategically chosen. “The volume of foreign trade between the UAE and Pakistan amounted to $2.86 billion last year, at a growth rate of nine per cent. With flights to Lahore, the country’s second largest city, and Peshawar, a major commercial hub, passengers can capitalise on the latent opportunities for trade that exist between the two countries. Furthermore, we will provide the UAE’s Pakistani community with increased connections to travel home,” he added.

Included in every fare is a full meal and beverages served free on-board all flights, along with a baggage allowance of 30kg per passenger in addition to the normal hand baggage allowance.

There is also a free shuttle service between other emirates and RAK International Airport for each flight, the statement said.

The airline also provides free parking for passengers who wish to drive to RAK International Airport which is just 30 minutes away from Sharjah and 45 minutes from Dubai.

Bookings can be made online, over the phone through the 24-hour call centre, through sales offices in Ras Al Khaimah, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ajman and Umm Al-Quwain as well as Calicut, Jeddah, Dhaka, Chittagong and Cairo, or through appointed travel agents. – TradeArabia News Service