Flydubai eyes Qatar entry

Dubai based, Emirates subsidary carrier flyDubai has announced that it will start new schedule services from its DXB base to the Qatari capital Doha.

flydubai which has over 50x A320 aircraft on order had previously stayed clear of operating routes into the UAE, with its development focused around India, Jordan, Beirut, Damascus and Africa.

With services between Doha and Dubai currently operated by Emirates and Qatar Airways it remains to be seen what impact the introduction of a first LCC into the market will have. With yields generated by the traditional flag carrier high, the introduction of an LCC could have an impact on yields in the market. Emirates currently operates a daily service between the city pairs, whereas Qatar operates multiple daily frequencies and it remians to be seen how Qatar will react to an LCC entry into the DOH market.

With other low cost competitors in the Middle East such as Air Arabia and Jazeera increasing their networks in the Gulf region competition is set to be fierce in the coming months.