First domestic flight service begins

Abu Dhabi Launched earlier this month, the UAE’s first domestic airline is looking at bolstering the status of Abu Dhabi islands as tourism destinations, while also making them viable options for corporate meetings and events. Established in 2010, Rotana Jet, an Abu Dhabi-based private firm, recently began offering three weekly return trips to Sir Bani Yas Island on board two 50-seater Embraer ERJ 145 jets. The 30-minute flights take off from Al Bateen Executive Airport in the capital and land at Sir Bani Yas Airport. “Prior to this, we have been offering chartered flights in international markets. Now with our scheduled trips to Sir Bani Yas operating, we are looking at offering other domestic trips,” Rajendran Vellapalath, commercial and planning director at Rotana Jets told Gulf News. The company is studying the market in Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah and Al Ain for Rotana Jet flights that will connect to international routes leaving from Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports. These flights for the Northern Emirates are expected to begin within the next six months.“There are also people who commute to Abu Dhabi from these Northern Emirates, and our domestic flights would cater to them as well,” he added. For now, one-way and return flights for adults to Sir Bani Yas are priced at Dh200 and Dh400 respectively, while tickets for children under 11 years are half the price. To facilitate corporate meetings at Sir Bani Yas, chartered flights are also available, Vellapalath said. A special summer offer is also available to attract customers. As the business grows, Rotana Jet will look into expanding its fleet, which currently comprises of the Embraer jets, as well as a Gulfstream G450 and an Airbus A319ER for chartered trips. For Abu Dhabi, which is gradually working to develop its islands as ideal getaway spots, the flights will mean an influx of more tourists in the summer months to the Desert Islands Resort and Spa at Sir Bani Yas, said David Garner, regional director of sales and marketing Middle East at the Anatara Hotels, Resorts and Spas. “The resort already sees more than 50 per cent occupancy all year round, which rises up to 80 per cent on weekends. However, the summer months between June and August are slower, and we anticipate significant growth for leisure purposes at this time,” Garner told Gulf News. Anantara, which manages the Desert Islands, hopes the mid-weekly Rotana Jet flight on Tuesday will also allow the hotel to tap into the corporate market. “Currently, the resort can handle conferences for about 30 people. But when a new conference centre that can accommodate more than 300 people opens in Quarter 3 of this year, we hope to see an increase in demand for more corporate events,” Garner said. He added that the centre, which will adjoin the Desert Islands Resort and Spa, has already received positive feedback from the corporate market, especially as the island facilities will provide an avenue for intensive meetings. Quarter 3 of 2012 will also see the opening of a Water Sports Centre offering diving and sailing at the island. A timeline is also being set up for the exact period in 2013 when Al Sahel Lodge, located within the Arabian Wildlife Park, and Al Yamm lodge on the island’s beachfront, will be completed, Garner said. The new flights are supported by the Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC).from gulf news.