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Dubai a growth market for Jazeera Airways

Dubai is definitely a growth market for Jazeera Airways and Al Maktoum International Airport at Dubai World Central, or DWC, adds another dimension to emirate’s travel market, a top official of the Kuwait-based carrier has said.

In an exclusive interview ahead of the airline’s inaugural flight at Al Maktoum International on October 31, Jazeera Airways Group chairman Marwan Boodai said that the carrier will attract more weekend travellers to Dubai by operating additional flights to the new airport.

“We believe Al Maktoum International at DWC adds another dimension to Dubai’s travel market; it is well-positioned not only for weekenders from Kuwait, for its proximity to Jumeirah and the resorts in that area, but also for customers who want to avoid the city altogether. Additionally, Al Maktoum International at DWC serves customers flying to Abu Dhabi,” Boodai told Khaleej Times.

Jazeera Airways will start serving Al Maktoum International with two weekly flights starting this Thursday. The airline’s current operation between Kuwait and Dubai International will remain unchanged at an average of 25 flights per week.

Boodai said the airline will continue to serve Dubai International and it has no plan to shift its operations completely to the new airport at DWC.

“No, we do not plan to shift completely to Al Maktoum International. Dubai International is the main airport of Dubai and we’ll always operate there,” he said.

“We firmly believe that Al Maktoum International Airport has strong potential and one day will become one of the largest airports in the whole region. That’s why Jazeera Airways decided to be there first to operate flights to it.”

In reply to a question, he said operating to two airports in the same city is not a complex matter. “Each one of these airports presents a different offering. Dubai international is in the heart of Dubai and will always continue to attract a growing number of travellers from Kuwait.”

“Last August, our Dubai service saw a 55 per cent increase in passengers from August 2012, a record increase taking in consideration that we mainly serve the ‘point-to-point’ market and not the transit traffic,” he said.

“As described, the profile of our customers to Dubai represents a healthy mix of business and leisure travellers, so having two airports with different strengths attracts even more travelers.”

To a question about the airline’s flight operations to Dubai, he said the emirate is definitely a growth market for Jazeera Airways and will continue to be.

“We started our service to Dubai with seven flights a week. That was in 2005; today with the launch of additional flights to Al Maktoum International at DWC, we will be operating an average of 27 flights a week.”

About the competition on Dubai routes with two airports, he said Dubai is an ever-growing market. Since the launch of Jazeera Airways, the route has witnessed a phenomenal growth over the past seven years, and today more than 1.5 million passengers travel the route annually.

“DWC has a different offering to travellers, and we do believe that Jazeera Airways will attract more weekend travellers to Dubai by operating additional flights to Al Maktoum International,” he said.

Asked about the airline’s expansion in the GCC, he said: “We’re always looking for profitable growth opportunities and expansion. As of today, Jazeera Airways serves Dubai, Manama, Jeddah and Riyadh. For now, our focus is on adding more frequency and capacity to current GCC routes.”

In reply to a question about fleet expansion, he said the airline is due to receive two more aircraft by May next year.

“Jazeera Airways Group has an order for 15 Airbus A320s, 13 of which have already been delivered and are in operation between Jazeera Airways, which operates seven aircraft, and its fully-owned leasing business Sahaab Aircraft Leasing Company, which operates six aircraft. Sahaab has assets placed with Virgin America, SriLankan Airlines, and Jazeera Airways,” Boodai said.

“We already received one aircraft this year and we have two more aircraft scheduled for delivery. One aircraft is scheduled for November of this year and one in May of next year.”