New Al Hajjar Air to start Fujairah flights. New carrier has plans to offer low-cost tickets but with full flight services.

Dubai: Al Hajjar Air, the Fujairah-based airline is getting ready to launch operations from Fujairah International Airport.

According to reports, the airline is set to launch during the first quarter of 2012.

However Alex de Vos, president and CEO of Al Hajjar Aviation refused to confirm the launch date saying exact details would be issued next week.

Al Hajjar Aviation, the company which owns the airline is currently finalising its investment of about $3.5 million (Dh12.86 million) to fund the leasing of its first aircraft; a Jetstream 41 aircraft from BAE Systems, which can carry up to 29 passengers.

"Operation will start with one aircraft. A couple of months later we will add a second and in five years there will be a total of four," de Vos told Gulf News.

Budget

Similar to recently re-launched RAK Airways, the new carrier plans to offer low-cost tickets but with full flight services.

"Abu Dhabi will be the launch destination. Eventually we're looking to connect all the GCC countries," said de Vos.

Following the launch, the airline is looking at expanding to Doha, Muscat, Kuwait and the Indian subcontinent.

Al Hajjar Air also plans to act as a feeder into an existing route network of the major Middle Eastern flag carriers.

It will fly passengers to and from Fujairah to the base of their partner airline.

This will allow passengers flying into Dubai a transfer flights into Fujairah and will allow Fujairah residents to buy a single ticket from Fujairah to London.

"Footfall will be mostly regional tourists and business travellers," said de Vos.

This launch comes as Fujairah invests in transforming itself into a tourist and trade hub.

A number of high-end hotel resorts have come up recently as well as the emirate's own free zone.

Connect the capitals

"We decided on the emirate because there are currently no passenger airlines flying out of Fujairah and we're looking to connect all the capitals of the different emirates. Fujairah is also becoming an increasing prominent leisure travel destination and hotel operators are offering Fujairah packages to passengers flying into Dubai. How will they be transported to Fujairah?" said de Vos.

Source: http://gulfnews.com