| SHARJAH
: The Civil Aviation Authorities here have issued traffic rights to the Transavia
Airlines, which made its maiden flight from Amsterdam to Kathmandu on September
24. This is the only European link for Sharjah as of now.
With this,
it will be possible for the airlines to book passengers bound for Amsterdam and
Kathmandu from Sharjah. A source at the airport pointed out that Transavia's fare
structure was highly competitive and hence it would be a boon to the travelers.
According to him the price was cheaper by about Dh 500 compared to other airlines
operating to the same destination. However, from Sharjah, Transavia is the sole
link connecting Europe and the UAE.
The inaugural weekly flight of Transavia,
on the Amsterdam - Kathmandu sector touched down Sharjah International Airport
with 218 passengers on board.
With a fleet of 22 aircraft, Transavia
flies to nearly 70 holiday destinations in the world. With approximately 48 per
cent market share, the airline claims to be the largest Dutch holiday carrier
in and around the Mediterranean. Last year the airlines had carried 2.7 million
passengers and this year's target was about 3 million.
Gulf Air, one
of the major carriers operating in the region is also likely to introduce nine
direct flights from Sharjah from next month. A source close to the airlines however
declined to name the destinations planned to be served. |
When
asked, Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri, Director General of Sharjah International Airport
said that the airport was negotiating with the Gulf Air, but did not give the
details. He said that in the coming months the airport would witness a surge in
passenger movement. Generally considered as the major cargo airport in the region,
Sharjah International Airport is pushing itself ahead in getting more and more
new passenger airlines attracted towards it. Indian Airlines "is also putting
up new routes," he said.
The airport is planning massive marketing
campaign beginning next year for the next millennium. It has devised a strategy
for holding the campaign, according to Dr. Ghanem Al Hajri. On Sunday, the airport
officials met to discuss the designing and execution of the campaign. The airport
official claimed that the officials had spared no efforts in doing a study on
"Where we stand now."
"During the last three months,
we have been meeting airlines officials, travel agents and business people to
evaluate our position" he said, and added that he had received lot of feedback
from the public.
The runway expansion work he said had already been taken
up and was expected to be completed in about six months. |
