Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Dubai-based flydubai’s inaugural flight to Moscow landed today at Vnukovo International Airport and was welcomed with a traditional water cannon salute. flydubai’s delegation was headed by Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President Commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS), and they were greeted by airport officials, including the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Vnukovo International Airport, Vitaly Vantsev, and the General Director of Vnukovo International Airport, Vasily Alexandrov.

With the launch of direct daily flights to Moscow, flydubai now serves nine destinations in Russia and has one of the most comprehensive networks in the country among UAE-based airlines. In addition the airline offers Business Class and cargo services on each of its Russian routes.

Speaking at a press conference at Vnukovo International Airport, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said: “Since launching flights to Russia in 2010 we have consistently seen strong demand for travel between the UAE and Russia and with daily flights to Moscow, flydubai provides passengers with another option to travel between the two countries. The new route will enhance connectivity and strengthen trade, travel and tourism.”

The UAE and Russia enjoy strong economic ties and, according to the UAE Ministry of Economy, trade between the countries grew by 90% in 2013, exceeding USD 3 billion. The UAE also ranks among the top 10 tourist destinations for Russian travellers.

Having built an extensive network in Russia, flydubai is committed to developing travel opportunities between the two countries. The airline launched flights to Samara and Yekaterinburg in 2010, followed by Kazan and Ufa in 2011 and doubled its network last year with four destinations in south-west Russia: Krasnodar, Mineralnye Vody, Rostov-on-Don and Volgograd.

Commenting on the new Moscow route, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President Commercial (UAE, EU, ME, CIS) for flydubai, said: “flydubai’s direct flights to Moscow offer great value for business and leisure passengers. On board, passengers can enjoy hundreds of hours of movies, TV shows and music available in Russian. In addition Business Class is offered on all our flights to Russia, providing passengers with a more personal and comfortable travel experience.”

To mark the occasion the first passenger to check in at Vnukovo International Airport for the flight to Dubai was presented with a voucher for a free return flydubai flight for two people. The passenger was also given complimentary access to the Business lounge at Vnukovo International Airport to enjoy a meal and relax before their flight.

flydubai offers reliable and affordable travel to 83 destinations across 42 countries. From Russia, passengers can book convenient connections through Dubai to India, Oman, the Maldives, Sri Lanka and various points in Africa, among other destinations. With the airline’s strategic base at Dubai International Airport, passengers can also benefit from flydubai’s interline agreements with other carriers, providing opportunities for onward travel to more than 200 destinations.

Flight Details:
flydubai operates daily flights between Dubai and Moscow.

FZ911 departs Dubai International Terminal 2 at 09:00hrs, arriving at Vnukovo International Airport at 14:25hrs local time.

FZ912 departs Vnukovo International Airport at 15:25hrs local time, landing in Dubai International Terminal 2 at 20:40hrs local time.

Round trip fares
Economy Class return fares from Dubai to Moscow start at AED 1,800, including 20kg checked baggage, while Business Class fares start at AED 6,500 and are inclusive of all taxes and 40kg checked baggage.

Flights can be purchased from flydubai’s website flydubai.com, its Contact Centre (+971) 600 54 44 45, flydubai travel shops or through travel partners. Visa facilitation services are also offered at flydubai travel shops and by travel partners. Further information about the carrier’s car rental and travel insurance services can be found on flydubai.com.