FlyDubai Launches Dammam Link

United Arab Emirates (UAE) low-cost carrier Flydubai inaugurated flights between Dubai and the Saudi Arabian city of Dammam this week, to meet the growing trade between the two countries. The carrier is offering a daily Boeing 737-800 rotation on the route.

Saudi Arabia was the UAE's top GCC trading partner in 2010, with UAE-Saudi Arabia trade worth Dhs21.1bn. With inter-country relations in non-oil sectors such as science, industry and telecommunications growing year-on-year, visitor volumes are expected to grow significantly. Saudi Arabia also has one of the region's most dynamic travel markets driven by domestic tourism in addition to international business and religious tourism. Visitor numbers are forecast to grow 6.7 per cent annually until 2015 and Saudi Arabia is expected to host to almost 10 million additional visitors over the next four years.

"Development of the travel and tourism industry is a core focus for the Saudi government as it increases its non-oil GDP and diversifies the economy. With the launch of this route we hope to further strengthen bilateral trade relations between the two countries and open up new areas of partnership," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, Flydubai.