flydubai poised to launch first flights in June

Dubai's first low cost airline, flydubai, on Monday announced it would launch its service in June, with the first flights taking off to Lebanese capital Beirut and Amman, Jordan.

The airline, which will start flights on June 1, opened for business at 3pm on Monday as its call centre and website went live to receive calls from customers, officials said at a press conference.

Airline chiefs will take delivery of its first two aircraft by the end of May with four being operational by the end of the year, they added.

A one way ticket to Beirut and Amman will cost AED250 including all taxes. Luggage, however, will be charged separately with one piece of luggage costing AED40 and a second bag costing AED100.

The airline ordered 54 Boeing single-aisle 737 aircraft, including four leased planes, in November in a deal worth about $4 billion.

Emirates chairman Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said it was not the intention to move any Emirates staff over to flydubai unless staff applied for and were successful in getting specific jobs.

He was reacting to a question from Arabian Business in connection with last week's news that Emirates cabin crew were being encouraged to take up to six months unpaid leave.

The budget carrier will operate a fleet of Boeing aircraft, each offering 189 economy class seats, from its base at Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport.

The airline's operations team is currently finalising routes, which are likely to include the Indian subcontinent, north and east Africa, southeast Europe and the Middle East.