LONDON – Emirates daughter-company and Emirati Boeing 737 operator, FlyDubai, has announced they will be launching their second route to the Maldives. Gan is one of the Maldive Islands which is now set to receive daily flights from Dubai Int’l Airport, by FlyDubai (FZ)

New year, new route

In a recent statement, the airline is announcing that they will be launching daily non-stop flights from their Dubai International Airport (DXB)-hub, to Maldivian island, Gan, to the Gan Int’l Airport (GAN/VRMG). Flights will commence 4 February 2023.

This is the second route in FlyDubai’s Maldivian route network, as the carrier commenced operations to the Maldives back in 2013, with flights to Malé International Airport (MLE/VRMM).

The island of Gan is the southernmost Island in the Maldive atolls, and with the launch of the new daily service to Gan next year, the carrier will increase its frequency to the Maldivian market to 28 flights a week.

FlyDubai statement

FlyDubai Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Ghaith Al Ghaith, commented on the announcement, saying: “The start of our daily flights to the southern island of Gan will give our passengers more options to travel to the beautiful Maldives. This new service will reduce the commute time whether by boat or seaplane for those staying in resorts in the southern Atolls.”

“The Maldives continues to be one of the most popular leisure destinations for our customers from the UAE, GCC and CIS. The additional frequency to the market will further support connecting traffic from Europe as well.”

Pricing for Business and Economy has now also announced. Return Business Class fares from DXB to GAN start from AED 7,400 and Economy Class fares start from AED 4,050. Return Business Class fares from GAN to DXB start from USD 1,600 and Economy Class fares start from USD 550.

The schedule for the Gan-route is also posted, and is as follows;

Benefits from Emirates & United’s codeshare

Four weeks ago, AviationSource covered breaking news regarding the historic announcement of a codeshare-agreement between Emirati carrier Emirates (EK), and United States based carrier, United Airlines (UA). The agreement however, also benefits FlyDubai (FZ) as it is the sister company of Emirates (EK).

As the announcement was formally released, it was also announced that travellers on United Airlines (UA) and Emirates (EK), to Dubai from the U.S., could also transfer onto a FlyDubai flight to multiple destinations further beyond, after arrival in Dubai (DXB).

This agreement will likely act as a minor benefit for FlyDubai, as it will possibly increase the load factor on their flights with eventual connections from the United States.

The new announcement from FlyDubai however, also expands the route chart and destination possibilities for the Maldives, to American tourists, as well as citizens elsewhere in the world.

Overall

FlyDubai are seeing a great frequency increase with this new addition to the Maldives, however, the current demand and booking numbers on this route remain undisclosed as of now, judging by the route just recently being announced.

The reason as to why FlyDubai are starting new routes here, also remain untold, but a new destination is great for the airline nevertheless, as it might go on to show great passenger numbers, as well as it expands the current travel possibilities to the Maldives, with the most frequent routes going to Malé, with seaplane connections to different Islands.