Travellers flying with flydubai can now access more international destinations through new interline agreements with Air India and Uzbekistan Airways, with more than 80 additional destinations available through the two partner networks.
The agreements are particularly relevant for passengers travelling between Dubai and destinations across India, Southeast Asia, Australia, Central Asia and Europe. Eligible journeys can be booked as single-ticket itineraries, with baggage checked through to the final destination.
The partnerships also give Air India and Uzbekistan Airways passengers additional connections to destinations on flydubai’s network through Dubai.
flydubai connections via Dubai: what is changing?
The new agreements expand flydubai’s interline network to 46 partner airlines.
For passengers, the practical change is the ability to combine flights operated by flydubai and its partner airlines on a single itinerary. The arrangements also include through-checked baggage, reducing the need for passengers to arrange separate tickets and baggage transfers for connecting journeys covered by the agreements.
The additional destinations span several major travel markets, although the specific routing available will depend on the itinerary booked.
Air India partnership adds India, Asia and Australia routes
Through Air India, flydubai passengers will gain access to Indian destinations including Bengaluru, Chennai, Chandigarh, Goa, Jaipur, Pune and Varanasi.
The agreement also opens connections to international destinations including:
Bali
Ho Chi Minh City
Hong Kong
Kuala Lumpur
Mauritius
Melbourne
Seoul
Singapore
Sydney
Tokyo
For travellers using Dubai as a connecting point, this expands the number of destinations that can be reached by combining the two airlines’ networks.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India, said: “At Air India, we are steadily expanding our partnerships with leading airlines around the world to offer our customers access to an even broader global network, with seamless connectivity and greater travel choice beyond our own destinations. Our partnership with flydubai strengthens access to markets across the Middle East and beyond via Dubai, while also welcoming flydubai customers onto Air India’s growing international network. As we continue our transformation journey, we look forward to introducing more travellers to Air India’s new experience and the warmth of true Indian hospitality across an increasing number of routes.”
Uzbekistan Airways adds Central Asia and Europe
The Uzbekistan Airways agreement expands connections through Tashkent, giving passengers access to destinations including Irkutsk, Krasnoyarsk and Moscow.
It also provides connections to major European cities such as Frankfurt, London, Milan, Munich, Paris and Rome, alongside Uzbek destinations including Bukhara, Fergana and Urgench.
Shukhrat Khudaykulov, Chairman of the Board of Uzbekistan Airways, said: “We are pleased to begin a new chapter of cooperation between Uzbekistan Airways and flydubai. The signing of commercial agreements between our airlines will enable us to leverage the strengths of our respective route networks, expand the choice of destinations for our passengers, and make international travel even more convenient. We are confident that this partnership will create new opportunities for our passengers and contribute to further strengthening Uzbekistan’s position as one of Central Asia’s key aviation hubs.”
What will passengers get when connecting?
The agreements are designed to simplify connecting journeys, with single-ticket itineraries and through-checked baggage available under the interline arrangements.
Passengers connecting onto flydubai flights will travel on the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet. The carrier says Business Class passengers can use lie-flat seats, personalised service and internationally inspired menus, while Economy Class offers ergonomically designed seats, adjustable leather headrests, complimentary dining options and inflight entertainment.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “Our interline partnerships with Air India and Uzbekistan Airways mark a significant step forward in flydubai’s network expansion strategy, offering our passengers greater choice as they connect through Dubai. Air India brings South Asia, Southeast Asia and Australian markets within reach, while Uzbekistan Airways adds a vital corridor through Central Asia, Russia and into Europe, further strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading hub connecting the East and the West, and reinforcing our ability to boost connectivity to key international markets.”
How large is flydubai’s network?
Since beginning operations in 2009, flydubai says it has grown its network to more than 120 destinations, including more than 100 routes to markets that previously had no direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier.
With its interline and codeshare partnerships, the airline says passengers can now access more than 300 destinations worldwide.
For Dubai-based travellers, the latest agreements therefore add more options for booking connecting journeys through the emirate, particularly for trips involving India, Asia, Australia, Central Asia and Europe.
tanvir@dubainewsweek.com
