With the UAE’s relaxation of border restrictions, Dubai-based budget airline flydubai has been increasing its activity. The airline landed at Kyiv’s Boryspil International Airport (KBP) on July 8th, marking the resumption of scheduled services. The aircraft landed in Dubai later the same day, giving the first round of tourists traveling on the airline a taste of the new arrival procedures at Dubai International Airport.
More than just a flight to Kyiv
flydubai’s Boeing 737 return-journey to Kyiv was more than just a regular commercial flight. Even though that’s precisely what it was, the trip also symbolized the resumption of commercial passenger services after several months of border restrictions and travel bans put up by the UAE.
“We would like to thank the authorities and members of the travel industry for their involvement in supporting the resumption of our scheduled flights to Kyiv. These combined efforts have enabled Kyiv to be one of the first destinations to open on our network and we look forward to bringing more passengers to Ukraine.” -Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations for flydubai
The return to Dubai
On the other side of this flight, FZ728 returned to Dubai from Kyiv at 21:45 local time. This journey flew seven business class passengers and 159 in economy. Of these passengers, 25 were identified as tourists.
Welcoming the aircraft and its passengers were key stakeholders, representatives from the airline, Dubai Airports, and Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DCTCM).
“One of my favourite aspects about flydubai is that we have the opportunity to enable people from around the network to experience our home, and we are delighted to welcome the first tourists to Dubai. As more airports around our network begin to lift flight restrictions, we look forward to seeing our network grow to 66 destinations over the summer period.” -Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer of flydubai
Health and safety is a priority
The one key message in flydubai’s statements to the media have been about health and safety being a priority.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, says that “bold steps” are being taken to ensure visitors have a “warm welcome and a safe, comfortable and memorable experience.” Griffiths continues by saying that the airport as several precautions to maintain health and safety standards. These include:
- Protective plexiglass screens at check-in and immigration counters
- Thermal and temperature screening at various points between check-in and the departure gate
- Physical distancing measures
- Increased levels of sanitization in compliance with international standards
Numerous other leaders and decision-makers echoed the sentiment throughout flydubai’s press releases.
What’s next for flydubai?
flydubai says that at least 24 destinations are now available for booking on its website, with more being added over the summer. The airline says it is operating to the following destinations subject to government approval:
- Addis Ababa (ADD),
- Alexandria (HBE),
- Amman (AMM),
- Beirut (BEY),
- Belgrade (BEG),
- Bucharest (OTP),
- Dubrovnik (DBV),
- Juba (JUB),
- Kabul (KBL),
- Khartoum (KRT),
- Kyiv (KBP),
- Krakow (KRK),
- Sarajevo (SJJ),
- Sofia (SOF),
- Tbilisi (TBS),
- Yerevan (EVN).
The airline also notes that frequencies will also be increased over time.
Do you think it’s safe to fly yet? Will you be booking a flight soon? Let us know in the comments.
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