Flydubai Adds Bishkek to its Network

United Arab Emirates (UAE) low-cost carrier flydubai is to further expand its network into the Commonwealth of Indpendent States (CIS) with a new service to Bishkek, the capital of the former Soviet Republic of Kyrgyzstan. The new twice weekly rotation will be introduced from February 7, 2012 and will be the airline’s 50th destination on its route network covering 28 countries across the GCC, Middle East, Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.

“We are proud to launch our latest services, bringing our destinations in the former Soviet Union to 12,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, flydubai. “We have already launched operations to a number of cities in Central Asia and we believe Bishkek will be just as well received.”

The airline believes the destination will prove popular with people seeking access to alternative travel markets, as well as offering people in the Kyrgyz Republic a gateway to the Middle East, the Indian sub-continent and Africa through the Flydubai network.

This is the first foray into the Central Asian country for a UAE operator. The Kyrgyz Republic has a growing presence in the UAE thanks to a 3,000-strong expatriate population while the country has recently opened its economy to foreign investment in key industries including metallurgy and is developing its tourism potential. Beauty spots such as Issyk Kul Lake are growing into popular tourist destinations while trekking and camping trails as well as skiing bases are developing all over the country, drawing in travellers locally, regionally and internationally.