Budget Airline Blog

Dubai’s new ‘no frills’ airline will be called ‘FlyDubai’ and initially serve destinations within the GCC, its chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum announced today.

Sheikh Ahmed, who is also chairman of Emirates airline, said that FlyDubai will be based at Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali, and will operate separately from Dubai’s flagship carrier.  Branding for FlyDubai is expected to be unveiled in the next few months.

FlyDubai will compete with a number of other low-cost operators in the Gulf – including Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways, Sama and Nas Air.  Its launch was announced at a time of record fuel prices.

Other full-service airlines, including Qatar Airways and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad have both said they are considering low cost carriers.