Middle East low-cost carrier Flydubai is to further extend its network in Central and Eastern Europe with new direct services from Dubai International Airport to Bucharest in Romania and Skopje in the Republic of Macedonia. The latest growth expands the budget carrier’s network in the region and wider Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) market to 15 destinations across ten countries.

Flydubai made its debut in this area in November 2009 when it commenced flights between Dubai and Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. It has since introduced links to Armenia, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Serbia, Turkmenistan, and Ukraine and is currently the only scheduled operator flying non-stop from Dubai International to Belgrade, Donetsk and Kharkiv. Latest figures from Dubai Airports revealed a 35 per cent increase in visitors from Central and Eastern Europe during the first four months of 2012 in comparison to the same period last year.

"Our two latest routes illustrate flydubai's commitment to expanding connectivity from the Middle East to new destinations that have historically been underserved. This offers more choice to our customers, increasing international travel options and avenues for trade,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, Flydubai. “Furthermore, our base in Dubai provides the sizeable Romanian and Macedonian expatriate populations around the globe with affordable links to their home nations."

Flydubai will introduce a three times weekly service to Henri Coandă International Airport (Bucharest Otopeni International Airport) from October 1, 2012 with a fourth weekly service coming on line from October 28, 2012. Bucharest, located on the banks of the Dâmbovita in Romania, is the tenth largest city in the EU by population. It is the centre of the Romanian economy and industry, accounting for almost 23% of the country's GDP in 2010. An estimated 44,000 O&D passengers flew between UAE and Romania in 2011.

Meanwhile, the budget carrier will offer a twice weekly link to Skopje, starting from October 18, 2012. Inhabited since 4000 BC, Skopje is transforming into a regional economic powerhouse, hosting more than 64,000 companies across a number of industries. It has also embarked on the "Skopje 2014" project - a major drive to raise the standard of its infrastructure and improve the look of the city. An estimated 15,000 O&D passengers flew between UAE and Macedonia in 2011.

With trade and investment in the region expected to rise following a number of initiatives by the UAE, including the opening of the Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry's international representative office in Azerbaijan at the end of 2012, Flydubai's growing network will certainly provide the UAE business community with reliable links to explore further commercial opportunities in Central and Eastern Europe and the CIS.

"As economies within Central & Eastern Europe gather momentum and destinations gain more prominence, the breadth of Flydubai's reach within the region will be instrumental in promoting trade ties and encouraging travel," added Ghaith Al Ghaith.