Dubai’s first low cost airline, flydubai, starts daily flights to Beirut and Amman, coinciding perfectly with the busy summer season. The airline’s CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith, talks to JONNA SIMON
ISN’T this a tough time to be starting a low cost airline in the Middle East?
It is always a tough time to start a new airline! There are so many different aspects to manage beforehand, but fact that everyone is especially careful of how much they spend at the moment will probably help flydubai, as our prospective passengers will be trying to travel in a cost effective way. We intend to provide a safe, secure and convenient way to fly at the best possible price.
As it is a low cost carrier, will there be low cost service?
As you know, flydubai is owned by the government of Dubai, which is synonymous with quality. We will strive to be the best low cost carrier in the world and although we have to keep our costs at a minimum in order to offer competitive fares, we expect the overall experience of travelling with us to be a positive one, offering the type of value for money, which will encourage our passengers to return again and again.
What is going to be different between you and other low cost airlines like Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways and Al Wataniya?
We do not compare ourselves to other airlines. We are creating our own unique identity and offerings. Our location in Dubai, our eventual range of destinations and the quality of service provided by our experienced staff on the ground and in the air will differentiate us from other carriers.
Won't you be competing with Emirates Airline, the other Dubai Government owned airline?
Not really, because it is a different target group to which we are aiming. Full service carriers like Emirates carry passengers to six continents from Dubai. In any case, I predict that in fact we will be working together with Emirates to feed some of our passengers on to Emirates' long haul routes and vice versa.
You have spent many years helping to build the brand of Emirates; it must be a daunting task to have to start all over again?
It is a big challenge, which I relish and yes, it would be untrue, if I did not admit, it is a daunting task! But, having been given this job by the Government of Dubai and having the privilege of working again with HH Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, I am happy for the opportunity to build a new airline.
It is an opportunity, which only a few people in the world are fortunate enough to have.