Flydubai launches daily service to Dammam, Saudi Arabia

Flydubai, Dubai’s pioneering low cost airline, has launched operations to the oil-rich Saudi Arabian city of Dammam.

Flight FZ863 landed at King Fahd International Airport after departing Dubai’s Terminal 2 this morning. With trade between the UAE and KSA growing year-on-year, this new daily service is expected to encourage further collaboration whilst also, catering to the growing number of business travellers between the cities.

flydubai CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “Development of the travel and tourism industry is a core focus for the Saudi government as it increases its non-oil GDP and diversifies the economy. With the launch of this route we hope to further strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries and open up new areas of partnership.”

Saudi Arabia was the UAE’s top GCC trading partner in 2010, with UAE-Saudi Arabia trade worth Dh21.1 billion. With inter-country relations in non-oil sectors such as science, industry and telecommunications growing year-on-year, visitor volumes are expected to grow significantly.

Saudi Arabia also has one of the region’s most dynamic travel markets driven by domestic tourism in addition to international business and religious tourism. Visitor numbers are forecast to grow 6.7 per cent annually until 2015 and KSA is expected to host to almost 10 million additional visitors over the next four years.

Flights to Dammam will operate as follows:

Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays: FZ863 to depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 0800hrs, landing in Dammam at 0820hrs local time. The return flight FZ864 will take off at 0905hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1130hrs

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays: FZ865 to Depart Dubai Terminal 2 at 1415hrs, landing in Dammam at 1435hrs local time. The return flight FZ866 will take off at 1520hrs, arriving in Dubai at 1745hrs.

A one-way fare to Dammam from Dubai starts at AED 400 and includes one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. Fares from Dammam to Dubai are priced from AED 370. Checked baggage starts at AED 50 for 20kgs whilst a seat with extra legroom costs AED 100.