Flydubai has launched direct flights to Thessaloniki, Greece, becoming the first UAE carrier to offer direct flights from Dubai.

Today’s flight from Terminal 2, Dubai International landed at Thessaloniki Airport "Makedonia" and was greeted by a water cannon salute.

Onboard the flight was a delegation led by Jeyhun Efendi, senior vice president, Commercial Operations at flydubai. On arrival in Thessaloniki, the delegation was greeted by Khaled Alqaydi, the Chargé d’Affaires for the UAE Embassy in Greece and George Vilos, executive director of Commercial and Business Development, Fraport Greece Management.

Speaking at a press conference to mark the occasion, Jeyhun Efendi, senior vice president, Commercial Operations at flydubai, said: “As the first carrier to operate direct flights from Dubai to Thessaloniki we are excited about the new opportunities that this route will provide for trade and tourism between the UAE and Greece. Since more than 70 per cent of our network was previously underserved we remained committed to the vision set for us to create free flows of trade and tourism and to strengthen direct air links with the UAE.”

Trade between the UAE and Greece continues to grow. Currently, there are more than 170 Greek companies registered with the Dubai Chamber of Commerce, while non-oil trade between the UAE and Greece exceeded $212 million in the first nine months of 2017, a growth of 10 per cent over the same period in 2016. Greece has also been working closely with the UAE to develop platforms to target compelling investment opportunities found in key sectors of Greece’s Economy.

“Thessaloniki remains a popular leisure destination and with the start of these flights, we expect more passengers to take advantage of our reliable and affordable services to discover this beautiful country,” Efendi added.

Emirates will codeshare on this route 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.

Thierry Aucoc, senior vice president, Commercial Operations at Emirates, said: “Our partnership with flydubai enables travellers in Thessaloniki and the greater surrounding area to easily access destinations across Emirates network, particularly cities in Australia, Thailand, and China, all of which are popular for local travellers. We also expect the route to boost the number of visitors to the region, from important inbound markets like Melbourne and Sydney, as well as China and Japan.”

For bookings under the codeshare, Emirates passengers receive complimentary meals and the Emirates checked baggage allowance on flights operated by flydubai in Business and Economy classes.

Commenting on the launch, Alexander Zinell, the chief executive officer of Fraport Greece said: “I wholeheartedly welcome the start of flydubai’s year-round flights from Dubai to Thessaloniki. Our commitment to the local communities in Greece has always been the introduction of more flights and new services connecting this beautiful country with the rest of the world. More travel options and more connectivity will result in more passengers and help drive Greek tourism."

With flights to Catania in Italy, Dubrovnik in Croatia, Krakow in Poland, and the start of flights to Helsinki, Finland in October, flydubai’s route network in Europe will reach 27 points.

Business Class return fares to Thessaloniki will start at Dh8,365 ($2,277) while Economy Class return fares will start at Dh1,879 ($511.4) including taxes. - TradeArabia News Service