RAK Airways of the UAE is to launch flights to Beirut next week.The full-service airline is also to launch flights to Colombo, Sofia and Dhaka.

Launched under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Crown Prince & Deputy Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah. RAK Airways has ambitious plans, with flights planned to cities in India, Nepal, Qatar and Tanzania.

Ticket sales for the first four destinations have already begun with tickets available from authorised travel agents as well as online via the airline’s website and travel portals.

Unveiling details about the launch destinations and future plans, Captain Khalid Almeer, Chief Operating Officer of RAK Airways, said, “It is matter of great privilege for me to announce that RAK Airways is set to be airborne on 29th November, with flights to Beirut, Sofia, Colombo and Dhaka. Catering to all passenger segments, RAK Airways will be operating Boeing 757s for its start-up operations.”

RAK Airways will operate three weekly flights to Beirut - in addition to three weekly flights to Dhaka, three flights a week to Colombo and a once-a-week flight to Sofia.

Captain Khalid added, “As part of our growth strategy in the region, we will launch our operations to destinations in India, Nepal, Qatar and Tanzania over the next two to three months. However, our first objective is to grow and establish RAK Airways in the Middle East.”

The new airline plans to acquire six to eight narrow-bodied aircraft within the next two years, covering about 20 destinations within the Gulf, South Asia, Middle East and East Africa. The airline plans to undertake trans-continental flights over the next two to three years.

Referring to market demand, Captain Khalid said, “As per the Industry sources, air traffic in the UAE is estimated to grow at the rate of 15% per annum and the trends are promising. Ras Al Khaimah has a strong traffic base and we will tap into that. We estimate approximately one million passengers a year and the annual projected growth over the next two- three years is 20%.”

The launch of RAK Airways is aimed at supporting the economic development of the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah.
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