Dubai-based budget carrier flydubai said its inaugural flight between Dubai and Skopje, the capital of Macedonia, touched down today, marking the airline’s 15th passenger route in Central & Eastern Europe.

The debut flight, FZ791 took off from Dubai Terminal 2 at 9.15am and landed in Skopje Alexander the Great Airport at 12.40pm carrying a number of high ranking officials including Flydubai’s CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith.

He was greeted on arrival by the Minister for Transport and Communication, Mile Janakieski, and the chief operating officer of TAV Holding, Murat Ornekol.

Following a water canon salute on touchdown, Al Ghaith participated in a traditional bread and salt reception before the delegation hosted a press conference at  the airport terminal.

“More than 40 per cent of our route development this year has taken place in Central & Eastern Europe and with the addition of Skopje, we are connecting the UAE to another underserved market. This illustrates our commitment to this region, while also opening up opportunities for cooperation and collaboration with different nations,” he stated.

Flights to Skopje operate twice a week on Mondays and Thursdays. Flight FZ791 departs Dubai Terminal 2 at 9.15am, landing at Skopje Alexander the Great Airport at 12.40pm local time. On return, FZ792, departs at 1.25pm and arrives in Dubai at 8.35pm. The return ticket fares from Dubai to Skopje start at Dh2,380 ($647) inclusive of all taxes.

Janakieski said, "The inclusion of Skopje as a destination into flydubai’s network has great significance as these flights will not only connect Skopje to Dubai, but indirectly to more than 50 destinations around the world where the airline operates and beyond."

"The launch of flights will have a positive effect on the Macedonian diaspora living in Australia. The time on board and number of connecting flights to different airports will dramatically decrease and Macedonians living in Australia will be able to arrive in Skopje faster and easier, remarked Ornekol.-TradeArabia News Service