Flydubai, Dubai’s innovative low-cost airline, made its maiden flight to Juba, the capital city of the Republic of South Sudan.

The inaugural flight, FZ61, touched down at Juba Airport on Sunday with Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai and Buti Al Ghandi, managing director of Saeed Mohammed Al Ghandi & Sons on board.

South Sudan Vice President Dr Riek Macha Teny welcomed the flydubai and UAE media delegation at a ceremony held at the Presidential Terminal.

Speaking at the press conference, Al Ghaith, said: “We are delighted to have started flights to Juba today which is our 56^th destination in operation across our route network. We are excited about the trade and travel opportunities that this new route brings to both the Republic of South Sudan and the United Arab Emirates.”

The carrier now serves six points in Africa: Addis Ababa, Alexandria, Djibouti, Juba, Khartoum and Port Sudan.

Meanwhile, flydubai started its twice a week service to Mineralnye Vody, its fifth destination in Russia. The carrier will inaugurate two more new routes later in April, adding Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Dushanbe in Tajikistan to its expanding network.

To support the rapid network growth, flydubai will take delivery of six new aircraft before the end of 2013, bringing its fleet to 34, the statement said.

Flights to Juba will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays. FZ611 will take-off from Dubai Terminal 2 at 0915, landing in Juba at 1305 local time, with the return flight, FZ612, departing Juba at 1500, with a scheduled arrival time in Dubai of 2035 local time.

Return fares to Juba from Dubai start at Dh2,380 while return fares to Dubai from Juba start at $650. Special launch fares at $599 for return flights from Juba are being offered by the airline. All fares are inclusive of 20kg checked baggage allowance, a 7kg hand baggage allowance plus one small laptop bag or handbag and taxes. –TradeArabia News Service