RAK Airways Adds Flights to Kathmandu and Bangkok
United Arab Emirates (UAE) carrier RAK Airways is to further expand its activities in 2012 after significantly expanding its network last year. The airline, the national carrier for the UAE Emirate of Ras Al Khamiah, will launch a three times weekly service to Kathmandu from February 15, 2012 and a four times weekly link to Bangkok from June 1, 2012; its 11th and 12th destinations. This latest growth marks an extension of the airline’s route development policy. Up until now it has focused its route network activity on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Indian sub-continent and North Africa, but it is now expanding into the Asian market, with further expansion likely in the future. An estimated 346,000 O&D passengers travelled between UAE and Nepal last year, a route that has grown by a notable 19.7 per cent in the past 12 months following capacity growth between the two countries. The market is currently dominated by low-cost operators with Air Arabia and flydubai offering double daily links to the Himalayan Kingdom from Sharjah and Dubai, respectively. Etihad Airways also offers a regular weekly service to Kathmandu from Abu Dhabi using widebodied A330-200 equipment. “Kathmandu is a destination that appeals to both leisure and business travellers. The stunning natural scenery and opportunities for trekking and climbing have developed Nepal into a thriving tourism destination,” said Omar Jahameh, Chief Executive Officer, RAK Airways. “The tourism industry is a key area of focus for the Nepalese government; last year's dedicated tourism campaign increased visitor numbers by approximately 20 per cent.” An estimated 474,000 O&D passengers travelled between UAE and Thailand last year, a route that has grown by 10.0 per cent in the past 12 months, with O&D traffic to Bangkok increasing by 9.5 per cent to 451,000 passengers. This market is dominated by Emirates Airline which provides four flights per day from Dubai, one of which is operated using the Airbus A380. Thai Airways International also provides a daily offering from Dubai while Etihad Airways operates a double daily from Abu Dhabi.
Qatar Airways Returns to Libya in February
Qatar Airways has confirmed that it will resume flights to the Libyan capital Tripoli from February 2, 2012. The airline, like all other international carriers serving the Libyan market, cancelled its flights into the capital at the start of last year due to the political situation in the country. The Gulf carrier has been serving the Doha – Tripoli for the past nine years but will make tentative steps back into the marketplace with an initial three times weekly link via Alexandria Borg el Arab using a 144-seat, two-class Airbus A320, but has plans to establish a direct service and greater frequencies in the future. “Libya is an important market for us and it was unfortunate that unfolding events there had affected operations on safety grounds of all airlines flying to the country,” said Akbar Al Baker, Chief Executive officer, Qatar Airways. “We are delighted to be going back to Tripoli shortly and provide and help revive the much-needed air transport system in the country after the difficulties of the past few months.” Qatar Airways already flies to Libya’s north eastern Mediterranean port city of Benghazi with four flights each week from its Doha International Airport base. Benghazi is a major economic centre and a key destination for trade and exports as Libya’s second largest city is home to many industries, including oil refining, food processing, cement production and tuna fishing.
Royal Jordanian Looks at New Cargo Markets
Royal Jordanian Airlines is exploring additional freight markets across the Middle East and East Africa as it looks to develop its cargo business. As the national carrier of the Kingdom of Jordan, the airline is responsible for around 40 per cent of freight imports to and 60 per cent of exports from the country via Queen Alia International Airport, the main air transport gateway. At the end of last year Royal Jordanian inaugurated a new dedicated cargo link to the Austrian capital Vienna on a weekly basis. The initial success of the route will see the introduction of a second weekly rotation from May 2012 and a third from November 2012, according to the airline’s Vice President Caro Sales and Services, Muath Majali. “The new route is witnessing increased improvement, with large amounts of cargo coming to the country from Eastern Europe,” he added. According to Muath Majali, the airline is conducting feasibility studies to start cargo operations to Tripoli, Benghazi and Misrata, in Libya, and Nairobi in Kenya, as it seeks to transport Jordanian exports such as vegetables, fruits and medicines to contribute to increasing the country’s gross domestic product.
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