SpeedyG
2nd Jul 2008, 20:53
Anyone have any information on the supposed LCC carrier ex Dubai??
Luke SkyToddler
2nd Jul 2008, 22:54
Yep - H.E. Sheikh Maktoum has decreed that Dubai should start its own LCC (presumably because Air Arabia / Jazeera / Air Bahrain are starting to bite excessively large chunks out of what is supposed to be EK's captive market). Emirates will provide expertise and assistance in setting it up, but it is supposed to have its own management etc once it's up and running. No word as to aircraft type or routes yet, let alone hiring and firing.
However, Emirates require a minimum of 4000 TT / 2000 hours jet, and all the existing LCCs in the Arabian Gulf require a relevant type rating with minimum 500 hours on type, so I would expect something along those lines. It's still next to impossible to crack the Gulf state airlines as a first jet job and I don't see this new airline being any different (not while United is busy laying off a quarter of its workforce anyway).