Flydubai witnesses increased passenger growth from GCC, CIS markets
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Flydubai recently announced that for the period from February 2011 to March 2012, the airline has witnessed increased growth in its passenger numbers, particularly from the CIS, Eastern & Central Europe and GCC markets.
Building on the World Travel and Tourism Council estimates that the direct contribution of travel and tourism to the UAE’s GDP is expected to hit US$19.9 billion this year and its set to become increasingly important as a sector in driving the country’s overall economic development.
The airline witnessed a 284% annual growth in passenger numbers from the CIS and Central Europe markets between February 2011 and March 2012, compared to the period of February 2010 and March 2011. An 89% annual growth in passenger numbers from the GCC between February 2011 and March 2012, compared to the period of February 2010 and March 2011.
Latest figures from Dubai International Airport reveal that passenger traffic between Dubai and Russia in the first quarter of this year climbed 46.53% to 359,066, compared to 245,050 during the same period in 2011. This growth is being linked to Flydubai’s expansion to several cities in Russia and the CIS region which includes twice weekly flights to the Russian cities of Kazan, Ufa, Samara and Yekaterinburg.
HE Jamal Al Hai, ESVP communications and internal affairs, Dubai Airports said: “The airline industry has a vital role to play in ensuring the UAE continues to experience spectacular growth in the travel and tourism sector.”
Addign further Flydubai’s CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “The resulting benefits for these destinations and the UAE are clear to see, whether that’s in terms of trade or tourism. Our potential for further growth is huge and we will continue to target exciting new destinations that we believe are currently under-served.”