Carrier Operates Fleet Of Brand New A320 Jets

Kuwait-based Jazeera Airways, which, until Saudi Arabia's National Air Service begins scheduled service, remains the Middle East's first and only private scheduled airline, announced Wednesday it has established a hub in Dubai. Until now, Jazeera's only hub had been at Kuwait International in Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Jazeera is now the only low-fare airline operating out of Dubai International Airport.

The carrier operates a brand new fleet of Airbus A320s powered by new CFM engines and fitted with all-leather seats.

The airline will conduct flights from its new Dubai hub to Bahrain, Kuwait, Mumbai, Kochi, New Delhi, Muscat, and Salalah.

Scheduled service is slated to start February 8 with direct flights between Dubai and Bahrain three times a week; the remaining routes start up March 27. The airlines says travelers can begin booking flights immediately through its website or calling the reservations line.

Jazeera Airways Chairman and CEO Marwan Boodai announced the news in a corporate launch held at Dubai Airport's Exhibition Center. He said: "The commercial aviation sector in the Middle East and especially the Gulf region is picking up speed and Jazeera Airways aims to serve this growing market through establishing multiple hubs in the Arabian Peninsula."

Boodai says his vision for the airline's future lies in its name "Jazeera" which means "the Arabian peninsula" in Arabic.

To celebrate the airline's new hub it's offering seats for up to one million customers from either of its hubs to any of its 20 destinations for $15. The only catch is the tickets must be purchased by Wednesday at 23:59 local.

Boodai said Jazeera has learned short-haul customers in the region started looking for low fares -- rather than beds -- for 90-minute flights, but adds he believes the airline made the right decision in purchasing a brand new fleet of aircraft.

"Middle East travelers are different in that sense, they are not willing to compromise on quality for the sake of a lower fare; and neither were we, so our commitment to quality did not stop at new aircraft. We made sure to fit all our aircraft with comfortable leather seats, and last year we contracted Lufthansa Technik, one of the leading global aircraft engineering firms, to look after our fleet for the coming years."

Jazeera says it will continue to add to its list of destinations throughout the year.

FMI: www.jazeeraairways.com