Dubai-based lowcost airline flydubai has announced the launch of its inaugural flights from the UAE to the Slovenian capital Ljubljana. With this thrice-a-week schedule, the airline has grown its operations in Europe to 20 points in 17 countries.

 

The inaugural flight FZ 1789 from Dubai International (DXB) to Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU) touched down just after 2pm to a water cannon salute and a warm welcome from the airport and government officials.

 

Speaking at the welcome ceremony, flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: "We are excited to see our network in Europe grow to 20 points in 17 countries, many of which had very few or no direct links to the UAE. flydubai’s direct flights to Ljubljana will strengthen the ties between our two countries and help stimulate tourism, trade and investment opportunities in the future."

 

"We look forward to welcoming on board our passengers from Slovenia, especially as our city gets ready to welcome the world as Expo 2020 Dubai opens its doors to visitors from beginning of October," he noted.

 

Slovenia will be among the 191 participating nations taking part at the anticipated Expo 2020 Dubai. The Slovenian pavilion is designed to be a floating green oasis that inspires sustainable solutions.

 

Oto Pungartnik, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the UAE, said: "The new  flydubai route between Dubai and Ljubljana will have a positive impact on the growth of tourism in both countries. We are convinced that the tourists from UAE will enjoy the hospitality of our people and the beautiful green nature in Slovenia, located between the Alps and the Mediterranean."

 

"The flight connection will also enable further strengthening of the economic ties and extensive cooperation between the two friendly countries," he stated.

 

With the resumption of flights to Prague and Zagreb on September 23 and the upcoming Budapest and Warsaw operations on September 30 and Ankara and Helsinki in October, the carrier serves 20 points in Europe.

 

Jeyhun Efendi, Senior VP (Commercial Operations and e-commerce) said: "We are very pleased to see the first flydubai flight land in Ljubljana airport today. We have had excellent feedback from our customers and partners on the launch of our direct flights to the market and we can already see healthy booking numbers."

 

"We are confident that passengers will enjoy flydubai’s convenient and reliable service and the comfortable cabin of our Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which offers a flatbed in Business Class, and is scheduled to operate on this route," he added.

 

Fraport Slovenija CEO Zmago Skobir said: "I am extremely happy because after many years, today we are welcoming flydubai for the first time here at Ljubljana Airport.  We believe it will have a significant impact on the competitiveness of our airport."

 

"The new connection is very attractive for Slovenian passengers and we are convinced that it will also attract passengers from the wider region. Furthermore, we are looking forward to many guests visiting from the UAE, for whom our beautiful country can be an attractive holiday destination all year round."

 

"New flights coincide with the opening of a new passenger terminal, which gives additional incentive to the traffic recovery, affected by the epidemic," he added.

 

Passengers booking a flydubai flight to Dubai will enjoy a complimentary 1-Day Ticket to visit Expo 2020 Dubai.-TradeArabia News Service