By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI: flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, announced today a partnership with its passengers as the airline prepares to return to the skies following the lifting of the flight restrictions in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, said: “the effectiveness of the response to the pandemic led by the UAE Government has enabled the flight restrictions to be lifted. We appreciate that no effort has been spared as we see the precautionary measures eased.”
The airline has redesigned its entire passenger journey and built upon the existing high standards of its operations to minimise the risk of transmission of COVID-19. For everyone to realise the benefit of travel, passengers need to have confidence that the airline is taking the correct measures and they also need to understand the role they must play to protect themselves and other passengers. This relationship between the airline and the passenger defines the flydubai partnership. It is recognition that the way in which passengers travel has changed and that these protocols set out the new way of travelling.
Commenting on flydubai’s redesigned passenger journey, Ghaith A Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “in these unprecedented times, we are very conscious of the role that we play as part of the global community in response to COVID-19. We have carefully reviewed the guidance and best practice published by a number of international organisations together with those of our regulator and our industry partners. We have further built on these which has resulted in a layering of measures by the authorities, the airport and flydubai. To realise the benefits of air travel is everyone’s responsibility. We recognise the importance of the role of the passenger in making these measures work. Together we have redefined a new way to travel which creates a partnership. It’s what we do together that will make this work.”
The partnership is a set of simple steps that start before a passenger makes a booking until they arrive at their destination. It also recognises that passengers’ plans may need to change and flydubai will offer passengers flexibility in their travel arrangements.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, commented on the airline’s commitment to its passengers: “our passengers have long enjoyed the benefits and convenience of air travel. As we move into this next phase, we recognise that it is our role to enable travel in a safe environment and the role of the passenger is to be prepared and ready to travel. Only by working together can the passenger make informed decisions to book their travel. They can be confident in knowing that they can amend their travel plans should travel restrictions or personal circumstances change. This is our commitment.”
The partnership is based on simple steps from the airline’s redefined passenger journey. These steps are as follows:
- Be informed before you book. Make sure you are up to date with the regulations from the IATA Travel Centre foryour whole journey
- Be kind to yourself and other passengers. If you are feeling unwell delay your trip
- We understand things can change so we are offering you flexibility to change your ticket
- Expect to take a little extra time at the airport to pass through thermal screening and to facilitate social distancing
- Offer your fellow passengers’ space and time to stow their hand baggage and take their assigned seat before you take yours. Limit your movements in the cabin
- Take enough masks, hand sanitiser and anti-bacterial wipes to last the entire trip. A mask must always be worn
- Carry only what you need. Hand baggage will be limited to a handbag or small lap top bag weighing less than 7 kg and can fit under the seat in front of you
- We have redesigned our inflight service to minimise crew and passenger contact
- Every passenger will receive a complimentary snack or meal
- If you were to fall ill during the flight, our crew are trained, prepared and have the necessary equipment to look after you
- In flight, the air is exchanged in the cabin every two to three minutes and is sterile when it enters the cabin after passing through high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters
- We disinfect our aircraft every day with manufacturer-certified cleaning products
flydubai offers the flexibility to make a change to the date of travel, rebook to another flight or destination without any penalties. Any differences in fare may apply and tickets are subject to flydubai’s terms and conditions.
Flights are available to book on flydubai.com and schedule services will resume from 07 July.
