Kuwaiti carrier Jazeera Airways has announced the establishment of a second hub in Dubai, making it the only low-cost airline operating out of Dubai International Airport.
This is great news for business travellers in the region and will surely set off a race to see who can become the biggest low cost carrier in the Middle East. Sharjah-based Air Arabia set the pace and has just seen its turnover soar to new heights, rising 82% to over US$200m, just weeks after it emerged that the airline is planning an initial public offering in the first quarter of this year.
Meanwhile Sama Airlines of Saudi Arabia is said to be within months of launching and expects to carry at least half a million passengers by the end of the year. Sama, elevation in Arabic, will lease up to seven Boeing 737 aircraft and become huge in the process.
Despite the environmental damage being made by the aviation industry and several airlines adding a ‘green’ tax to fares, commercial airlines have never had it so good with ticket prices constantly slashed and in turn customer appetite at its highest ever.
Expect more budget airlines to come to market boosting internal tourism levels, especially a business originating from one of the larger emirates.
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