Middle East airline flydubai has today annouced plans to expand its route network to include a total of 80 destinations. The airline is launching new routes to Russia, Iran and Europe, along with resuming some of its previously served destinations.

Flydubai's huge expansion

United Arab Emirates government-owned flydubai has announced today that it plans to expand its current network to include over 80 destinations. Dubai International Airport (DXB)-based flydubai says that it plans to grow its Russian network with new routes to the following destinations.

  • Moscow Zhukovski International Airport (ZIA) starting from May 12, 2021
  • NovosibirskTolmachevo International Airport (OVB)  starting from May 28, 2021
  • Perm International Airport (PEE) starting from June 2, 2021

The three new routes will mean that flydubai now serves 11 destinations in Russia. Below is a list of flydubai's Russian destinations and the frequency of flights:

  • Kazan International Airport (KZN) one flight per week
  • Moscow Vnukovo International Airport (VKO) five flights per week
  • Samara Kurumoch International Airport (KUF) one flight per week
  • Yekaterinburg International Airport (SVX) one flight per week
  • Makhachkala Uytash International Airport (MCX) one flight per week starting from May 6, 2021
  • Mineralnye Vody Airport (MRV) one flight per week starting from May 7, 2021
  • Rostov-on-Don International Airport Platov (ROV) one flight per week starting from May 8, 2021
  • Moscow Zhukovski International Airport (ZIA) one flight per week starting from May 12, 2021
  • Ufa International Airport (UFA) one flight per week starting from May 15, 2021
  • Novosibirsk Tolmachevo International Airport (OVB) one flight per week starting from May 28, 2021
  • Perm International Airport (PEE) one flight per week starting from June 2, 2021
flydubai
flydubai serves 11 destinations in Russia. Image: GCmaps

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Flydubai serves five cities in Iran

The low-cost carrier also announced the resumption of two flights to Iran, with Abbas International Airport (BND) resuming May 12, 2021, and Mashhad International Airport (MHD) resuming May 13, 2021. flydubai also serves the following Iranian destinations:

  • Imam Khomeini International Airport (IKA) in Tehran
  • Larestan International Airport (LRR) in Lar
  • Shahid Dastgheyb International Airport (SYZ) in Shiraz
flydubai
flydubai serves five destinations in Iran. Photo: flydubai

flydubai also said that it would be operating seasonal flights to summer holiday destinations in Turkey, Georgia, and Montenegro. The seasonal summer destinations are:

  • Milas–Bodrum Airport (BJV) in Turkey
  • Trabzon Airport (TZX) in Turkey
  • Batumi International Airport (BUS) in Georgia
  • Tivat International Airport (TIV) in Montenegro

About the seasonal destinations

Other than the Turkish Agean seaside resort of Bodrum with its towering castle and glitzy marina, the other seasonal destinations may seem a little obscure. Located on Turkey's northeastern Black Sea coast, Trabzon was an important meeting point on the Silk Road trade route for centuries.

Also located on the Black Sea, Batumi is Georgia's main summer resort with a long beach and beautifully maintained belle époque corniche.

Located in southwestern Montenegro on the Adriatic Sea Bay of Kotor, Tivat has a posh promenade and a new marina full of superyachts. Tivat remains off most people's radar but is fast becoming Montenegro's version of Monaco attracting wealthy visitors from around the world.

Dubai Airport is an important hub

When speaking about the new flydubai destinations, flydubai Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith said:

“It is now 11 years since flydubai’s first flight to Russia. During this period, we have grown our network in Russia providing direct air links from these key cities in Russia to the UAE, many of which are less than four hours flying time.

"We’ve made Dubai much more accessible and, at the same time, improved connectivity to more than 155 destinations from Dubai’s international aviation hub. Today, we are pleased to see our operations take off once again as we continue to support trade and travel between the countries.”

Emirates Beoing 777 Getty
Emirates has 132 Boeing B777s in service and ready for extra services during Eid Al Fitr. Photo: Getty Images

While flydubai does not get the attention of other budget airlines, it seems to be carving a niche reputation for itself by flying to some obscure destinations. The big attraction, of course, is Dubai Airport and its connectivity to the rest of the world via carriers like Emirates.

Have you ever flown with flydubai? If so, please tell us about the experience in the comments.