flydubai, the Dubai-based airline, became the first airline to operate direct air links to the Slovenian capital, Ljubljana from the United Arab Emirates. The inaugural flight FZ 1789 from Dubai International (DXB) to Ljubljana Joze Pucnik Airport (LJU) touched down just after 14:00 on September 24 2021 to a water cannon salute and a warm welcome from the airport and government officials.

flydubai and Fraport Slovenija, the operator of Ljubljana Airport (LJU), held a press conference at the airport prior to the arrival of the carrier’s inaugural flight. The press conference was attended by local media, travel agents and representatives of government bodies.

Speaking at the press conference, Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said: “we are excited to see our network in Europe grow to 20 points in 17 countries, many of which had very few or no direct links to the UAE. flydubai’s direct flights to Ljubljana will strengthen the ties between our two countries and help stimulate tourism, trade and investment opportunities in the future. We look forward to welcoming on board our passengers from Slovenia, especially as our city gets ready to welcome the world as Expo 2020 Dubai opens its doors to visitors from beginning of October.”

His Excellency Oto Pungartnik, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia to the United Arab Emirates, said: “The new flydubai route between Dubai and Ljubljana will have a positive impact on the growth of tourism in both countries. We are convinced that the tourists from UAE will enjoy the hospitality of our people and the beautiful green nature in Slovenia, located between the Alps and the Mediterranean. The flight connection will also enable further strengthening of the economic ties and extensive cooperation between the two friendly countries.”

Commenting on the start of flights to Ljubljana, Jeyhun Efendi, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations and E-commerce at flydubai, said: “we are very pleased to see the first flydubai flight land in Ljubljana airport today. We have had excellent feedback from our customers and partners on the launch of our direct flights to the market and we can already see healthy booking numbers. We are confident that passengers will enjoy flydubai’s convenient and reliable service and the comfortable cabin of our Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, which offers a flatbed in Business Class, and is scheduled to operate on this route.”

With international travel restrictions gradually easing, flydubai has grown its network to over 95 destinations 50 countries across Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and South-East Europe, the GCC and the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent. With the resumption of flights to Prague and Zagreb on 23 September and the launch of operations to Ljubljana on 24 September, Budapest and Warsaw on 30 September and Ankara and Helsinki in October, the carrier serves 20 points in Europe.