Khaleej Times

DUBAI, Aug 26: A new low-cost carrier will operate from the Fujairah International Airport in October this year, eventually becoming the fifth airline based in the UAE.

Kang Pacific Airlines (KPA), deemed as the first private airline to fly out of Fujairah’s new international passenger terminal, will offer flights to Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, and the Philippines.

Paul Kang, chief executive officer and founder of KPA, said that services to each destination will operate three times a week using leased McDonnell Douglas DC-10 aircraft.

“ The aircraft concerned is being provided by a reputable leasing company that has contracted Lufthansa Technic to undertake maintenance. Until recently, the aircraft was operated by the United Kingdom-based airline, MyTravel Airways, and meets all current aviation certification and operating requirements,” Kang said.

He said that their decision to operate from Fujairah has been influenced by the huge demand for air travel service in and out of the northern emirate. Kang also mentioned that unlike the other low-cost carriers in the region, KPA would not only cater to short-haul air transport but to long-distance travel service as well.

“ KPA will later operate to Europe, flying wide-body equipment from East Midlands Airport to Fujairah and on to Amritsar in the Indian Punjab. Our sales efforts in this market will target the large Punjab immigrant community in the UK’s East and West Midlands, as well as its Northwest region,” he said.

Kang added that coaches would be deployed to collect KPA passengers free of charge from points around Fujairah. “ The emirate is growing with the rest of the UAE and we enjoy the full support of the Fujairah government in pursuing this opportunity, which will benefit the locals, expatriates, and tourists,” he said.

Kang disclosed that the airline would obtain its own aircraft. “ Plans are already well in hand to apply for a UAE Air Operator’s Certificate from the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). Modern narrow-body aircraft like the Airbus A320 or Boeing 737 will operate services to points in the Arabian Gulf, Middle East and in the Indian Sub-continent.