Dubai-based carrier flydubai began a three-times-weekly service to Benghazi on June 17, becoming the first UAE airline to operate flights to the eastern Libyan city, the company said on June 18.
The route expands flydubai’s African network to 13 destinations across nine countries, a push into an underserved market as the carrier scales up operations for the summer season. The launch comes as flydubai continues to build connectivity into markets that larger Gulf carriers have largely bypassed.
The inaugural flight landed at Benghazi Benina International Airport to a water cannon salute and a welcome from local airport officials.
“We are already seeing healthy demand for our three weekly flights to Benghazi and look forward to growing our presence in Libya over the years,” said Hamad Obaidalla, chief commercial officer at flydubai.
The service operates as part of the flydubai and Emirates codeshare partnership, allowing passengers a single ticket, through check-in of baggage and access to the combined network.
Flights depart Terminal 3 at Dubai International on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, leaving Dubai at 06:50 and arriving in Benghazi at 10:45 local time. The return leg departs Benghazi at 11:45 and lands in Dubai at 19:15.
Return business class fares from Dubai start from AED10,500 ($2,860) and economy class lite fares from AED4,500 ($1,225). Return business class fares from Benghazi start from $2,500 and economy class lite fares from $800.
“Africa remains a strategically important market for flydubai and we are pleased to have added Benghazi to our network,” said Sudhir Sreedharan, divisional senior vice president of commercial operations at flydubai.