Dubai-based flydubai has announced the addition of Eritrea to its African network with direct flights between Dubai and Asmara
Flights on the Dubai-Asmara route will start from 25 October this year with four flights per week. Asmara is the second African destination added to the flydubai network this year after Hargeisa in Somaliland, where the airline began operations in June. The flights to Asmara mark the start of the first direct link between Eritrea and the UAE.
Commenting on the launch, Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said, ?We are keen to reflect the UAE?s efforts to support emerging markets, particularly in East Africa. Adding to our recent operations to Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Somaliland, we are delighted to add a direct link between the UAE and another emerging market with great potential for more growth. Asmara becomes the 18th destination to join our network this year.?
Sudhir Sreedharan, senior vice-president, commercial (GCC, Subcontinent, Africa) at flydubai, said, ?flydubai will be the first UAE carrier to connect Dubai with Asmara as trade and tourism continue to rise between the UAE, Africa and the rest of the world. The new route emphasises our commitment to bring a better travel experience and reliable aviation services to previously underserved markets as well as offering more travel options to the UAE, the region and beyond through Dubai?s efficient aviation hub.?
In line with the growing trade and tourism ties between the UAE and East and North Africa, flydubai launched its first African route to Djibouti in 2009 followed by Addis Ababa in 2011. Last year, the airline added six new routes to its network, connecting Burundi, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania. With the addition of Asmara, flydubai operates 60 weekly flights to 13 destinations in Africa.
