2009-12-15 12:33:27
WAM Dubai, Dec 15th, 2009 (WAM) -- flydubai, Dubai's first low cost carrier, was on top of the world today after touching down in Kathmandu, Nepal, home to the planet's highest point - Mount Everest.

The spectacular Himalayan nation was the second new destination in under a week for the airline, after it commenced flights to Bahrain on Sunday.

The dramatic mountain range route becomes the eleventh in flydubai's network and its first east of Dubai. Kathmandu is also the furthest destination reached by flydubai's Boeing 737-800NG aircraft at 3,000kms from Dubai and a flying time of 3hours 55 minutes.

A special welcoming committee including Shtrudhn Prasad Singh, State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism; Subash Niraula, Officiating CEO, Nepal Tourism Board; Dinesh Prasad Shrestha, General Manager, Tribhuvan International Airport and other officials from the ministry and Tourism Board greeted the aircraft and its passengers on arrival.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai was also on board, he said: "This is a great time for flydubai. The past four weeks have been one of the busiest periods since we launched. We signed major aircraft financing agreements worth nearly US$ 200 million at the Dubai Airshow and we have opened routes to Khartoum, Baku, Bahrain and now Kathmandu." "Our strategy is to combine well known routes that enjoy a service from many airlines, with routes that are less popular and are underserved by the larger carriers. Kathmandu is a great destination with room for more services and I'm confident that flydubai's simple, low cost fares will prove to be very popular on this route. Nepal is an experience waiting to happen, and we will make it happen," Al Ghaith added.

On the occasion, Shtrudhn Prasad Singh, State Minister of Civil Aviation and Tourism said: "The commencement of flydubai's direct connection between Dubai and Kathmandu will provide greater access to Nepali community in UAE and will surely enhance future trade, commerce, and tourism between two countries. We are happy to know that flydubai operating out of Dubai International Airport will provide greater access to world travelers from Dubai into Kathmandu with increased convenience. We welcome flydubai into Nepal." WAM/AMIR