Travel, Tourism & Hospitality
flyEgypt launches direct flights to Cairo from Ras Al Khaimah
North African low-cost carrier flyEgypt has announced the launch of its commercial passenger operations from the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah to Cairo International Airport in Egypt. The airline is operating three fights a week from RAK Airport.
North African low-cost carrier flyEgypt has announced the launch of its commercial passenger operations from the northern emirate of Ras Al Khaimah to Cairo International Airport in Egypt.
The airline is operating three fights a week - Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays - from the RAK Airport.
The new schedule, which enhances Ras Al Khaimah’s connections with Mena’s most populous country, marks an acceleration in the airport’s current expansion strategy that is seeing it as the fastest-growing aviation hub in the UAE.
Commencing the launch from its hub Cairo on May 6, flyEgypt landed its debut flight FEG501 at the RAK Airport.
In addition to this, the budget carrier is also starting twice-a-week direct flights from the Egyptian city of Suhag to Ras Al Khaimah, thus opening up the emirate to Egypt’s 100 million people.
The new partnership comes at an important time, with travel restrictions being progressively lifted in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, said a top official.
"Egypt is a strong brotherly nation for the UAE, and this is reflected in the growing, economic and cultural ties between us. Increasing connectivity between Ras Al Khaimah and Egypt at this critical time will facilitate these and other mutual activities," remarked Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation and RAK Airport.
From a localised viewpoint, this service will support Ras Al Khaimah’s diversification strategy and further enhance RAK Airport’s strategic position as a logistics and transport hub for the region, he added.
"The tourism sectors in both countries will benefit significantly from the new “flyEgypt” service. It provides a direct connection for Ras Al Khaimah residents to take in the wonders of the pyramids and ancient Egypt, while travellers coming the other way can experience the many delights of Ras Al Khaimah and its unique outdoor environment that is establishing it as an adventure tourism hub," remarked Sheikh Salem.
"This is particularly significant for the emirate’s economy, with the widening of the emirate’s tourism sector and the attraction of greater numbers of visitors a major strand in its economic diversification strategy," he added.
RAK Airport CEO Sanjay Khanna, expressing delight at the launch of a strategic partnership with flyEgypt, said: "This is one that reconnects Ras Al Khaimah with North Africa in the post-pandemic phase and, in the process, creates a vital link to fuel growth and development between two important Arab entities."
"RAK Airport is determined to play an instrumental role in repositioning the aviation sector as a major driver for economic activities in the new normal and this new partnership is just one of many that the airport is establishing in pursuit of this goal," he noted.
He said the emirate was committed to opening up even more routes, with further partnership announcements to be made over the next two months.
"This new service provides an attractive alternative for Egyptian citizens wishing to visit the UAE’s established tourist hot spots as travel restrictions ease. It also helps cement the northern emirate as a prime destination in its own right," noted Khanna.
"The partnership will go a long way in helping the emirate’s authorities with their aim of bringing in more visitors and opening up its array of attractions to a wider segment of travellers," he added.
Karim Baky, Chief Commercial Officer of flyEgypt, said: "It is with great pleasure and very high hopes we announce Ras Al Khaimah as the latest valuable addition to our existing list of destinations - an addition that will help strengthen our equity as a brand and solidify our presence within the Middle East region."
"We strongly believe that Ras Al Khaimah will eventually become the perfect gateway to the UAE for all our passengers," he added.-TradeArabia News Service