Dubai World Central to launch passenger operations in October

nasair plans to operate over 50 flights per week between Dubai and a number of destinations in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi-based carrier already operates 950 weekly flights to 28 destinations with a fleet of 21 aircraft comprised of Airbus A320s and Embraer E190s. 

Wizz Air, which provides low-cost air transport across 30 countries with 16 bases across Europe, will provide non-stop services linking Dubai World Central to Central and Eastern Europe. Wizz Air has a fleet of 40 Airbus A320 aircraft operating over 1,500 weekly flights to 93 destinations. 

Construction of Dubai World Central’s passenger terminal building was completed in 2012. Upon opening, the new facility will offer full retail as well as food and beverage amenities. It is serviced by one A380 capable runway, 64 remote aircraft stands and has capacity for up to 7 million passengers per year. The terminal will undergo a full testing and trial programme over the coming months to ensure a seamless opening. 

“A new era in Dubai’s already proud aviation story is set to begin,” said Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths. “The introduction of passenger services from Dubai World Central is the first step in the long term development of the airport and will provide an attractive alternative to travellers. We are equally thrilled to welcome our launch airlines Wizz Air and nasair. We look forward to announcing additional airlines and services in the months to come.” 

Captain François Bouteiller, chief executive officer of nasair, said: “Dubai’s strategic location with its continuous growth in travel demand has encouraged nasair to expand its operation to Dubai World Central, the city’s future hub. nasair’s business travellers will from October have the opportunity to enjoy same-day travel between Dubai World Central and all major Saudi cities due to our convenient and seamless flight timings. At the same time we will maintain our long-standing flights from Dubai International.” 

Bouteiller said the new services from Dubai World Central would stimulate a further increase in the number of destinations between the new airport and other destinations in nasair’s network as well as encourage leisure traffic between Saudi Arabia and the UAE. 

József Váradi, chief executive officer of Wizz Air, said: “I am honoured to announce Wizz Air as a launch customer and first international low fares airline operating at Dubai World Central. For us this is a hugely significant milestone, with our 10 year European success story now crossing borders far beyond Europe, sharing the benefit of efficient airline operations and low fares with many more international customers. Wizz Air's fleet of 40 new Airbus A320 now operates across 32 countries and  93 airports and I am confident that our investment to grow traffic between Dubai and Europe will result in many more low fare Wizz Air routes to be announced in Dubai." 

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Dubai World Central is going to bring much needed additional capacity to Dubai and the wider UAE - if only because of the air traffic growth that the GCC has been experiencing. 

“The introduction of services via low cost airlines like nasair and Wizz will provide customers with a speedier service given the slot availability and lack of congestion at Dubai World Central, making flight departure delays a thing of the past - at least until more airlines start operating there.” 

Ahmad added: “Sheikh Ahmed has already intimated that flydubai could also move to Dubai World Central, where the focus is on allowing low cost airlines to capitalise on the slots that are going to be made available as more airlines look to start services to and from the airport. 

“The potential that Dubai World Central will deliver thanks to its 160m passenger capacity and huge physical footprint with five runways, it is easy to see why this infrastructure investment will keep Dubai at the top of the airport charts for years to come.”