Dubai-based carrier flydubai has announced the launch of two new European routes for next year: flights to Krakow will start on April 8, 2018 and flights to Catania will start on June 13, 2018.

Flydubai becomes the first UAE carrier to operate direct flights to these destinations, offering daily flights. With the launch of these new European routes, flydubai’s network grows to over 100 destinations in 47 countries.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer of flydubai, said: “With the launch of flights to Krakow and Catania, flydubai is committed to open up new direct air links to Dubai and we strive to expand our network to offer our passengers more choice. Our latest route launches are testament to that commitment and demonstrate our efforts in offering our passengers more options to explore our network especially as we see more connecting traffic onto our network as a result of our interline and codeshare agreements.”

Flights to Krakow will start in April 2018 and will further grow the carrier’s Eastern and Central European network, which includes Belgrade, Bratislava, Bucharest, Prague, Skopje, Sarajevo and Sofia. Flydubai’s European network includes 24 destinations. Krakow is known for its scenic old town, featuring the city’s well preserved medieval core where visitors can enjoy a walk around the remains of the city walls or Poland’s largest city park: Planty.

Flydubai further diversifies its network by opening up direct air links to Italy. Flights to Catania will start in June 2018 and mark the first time the Dubai-based carrier operates flights to the South of Europe. Catania is located on Italy’s most popular island, Sicily, and offers travellers from Dubai and the GCC a great variety of activities including exploring Catania’s historic sites or a hike up to the summit of Mount Etna, Italy’s well-known volcano.

Emirates will codeshare on both routes and as part of the Emirates flydubai partnership, each airlines’ passengers will have the opportunity to connect in Dubai to hundreds of destinations across the world.

Jeyhun Efendi, senior vice president commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS) at flydubai, added: “Flydubai will be the first UAE carrier to offer direct flights to Krakow and Catania and we are excited to start operations to the South of Europe for the first time. We have seen increasing demand for our summer destinations this year, so we decided to expand our offering with these new routes. We look forward to start the flights to Krakow and Catania and the new opportunities the new routes will provide for trade and tourism.”

To offer passengers more comfort and an enhanced travel experience, the carrier will operate the new routes on its brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8. Flydubai’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 was unveiled at the Dubai Airshow in November and will be rolled out across the carrier’s fleet upon delivery over the coming years. The MAX 8 will help to improve operational efficiency and overall fleet performance, while offering more flexibility and more comfort for passengers. - TradeArabia News Service