Budget airlines need open skies to grow: CEO

An open skies policy is vitally needed in the Middle East to help airlines grow, according to the head of Dubai's first budget carrier.

Gaith Al Gaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai told XPRESS yesterday that restrictions on overflight rights and complex visa requirements were holding the budget sector back.

Al Gaith said he favoured the European open skies system.

"The budget sector is around 5% in our region but 20% in Europe. But to get there we are facing two key issues," he said, mentioning lack of an open skies scheme and visa requirements that differ from country to country.

"I can go to European Union countries and once inside can travel freely between the states. Here passengers from different countries need different visas and it makes the process difficult. Sorting this out will not only help flydubai but also other airlines," he said.

During a press conference Al Gaith said the company was in a "strong" position after just a few months of operating and was confident of continuing to do well.

He would not however, be drawn on the issue of running a service to India after flights were postponed in July.