DXB-KIV-DXB/ COMMITMENT TO STAY CONNECTED

On November 20th, 2013 Flydubai opened a new direct route, beginning operations to Moldova 3 years after targeting other European airports.

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Ghaith Al Ghaith Flydubai CEO said at the time, quote: “with this new route, flydubai continues highlighting its commitment to connecting underserved markets”.

The above statement was correct for at least two reasons:

1/ Opening such routes is part of Flydubai’s DNA and company strategy
2/ Chisinau (and Moldova in general) is an underserved market on an airline industry standpoint

The above commitment has been discarded starting May,17th 2015 with no further communication related to potential resume dates of this route nor frequency of future direct flights between Dubai and Chisinau.

It is also clearly understood by all signatories, that commitment cannot be unilateral but is only the result of a wider understanding and agreement between all parties involved: the airline (Flydubai), Chisinau International Airport, the Ministry of Transports and Road Infrastructure of Moldova and… the Passengers!

FLYDUBAI

We understand that the reasoning behind this (hopefully) temporary business decision is motivated by a combination of factors: Number of flights per week / Average number of pax per flight / Cost of fuel at departure (although we are not too worried about this part) and destination / Cost of slots and  / Average ticket selling price + in flight sales / Other charges such as Airport Modernization fee (if you are not charging passengers for it) / Marketing support to the airport / Human resources costs

Suggestions:

1. Potential but temporary reduction of number of flights per week from two to one will potentially increase your pax load per segment

2. Renegotiate the slot costs by eventually changing landing and take-off times from KIV (plenty of slots seem to be available)

3. Reasonably increase flight tickets value by a maximum of 15%-20% to maintain attractive prices 

CHISINAU INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 

"The Airline Attraction policy of Chisinau International Airport" document issued in order to implement the Government policy of the Republic of Moldova joining the European Common Aviation Area was and should remain based on its original values and principles: "raising the airport’s competitiveness by increasing number of flights and routes for airlines which operate flights and the ones who intend to do so".

Suggestions:

1. Increase/develop your route incentives fees (for new routes and  discount for multiple flights per week)

2. Revise/reduce your landing/take off fees and price gaps between day and night flights

3. Revise/reduce the airport modernisation fees charged to the airlines

4. Revise/reduce the traffic volume discounts to make them more attractive

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTS AND ROAD INFRASTRUCTURE OF MOLDOVA

All signatories of this petition understand that Chisinau International Airport has been handed over in concession to a foreign company from Russia and is no longer under Governmental management. However, as stated so truly by Flydubai’s CEO eighteen months ago, Chisinau and moreover Moldova in general, was and unfortunately remains an underserved location in the airline business.

Moldovan expats, and in this case UAE Moldovan residents, are struggling to reunite on a regular base with their families due to lack of understanding between the parties mentioned above. Business exchanges and product flows related to import-export activities are facing unreasonable financial and time constraints due to un-existing direct routes to Business Hubs like Dubai.

Suggestions:

The Moldovan community in the United Arab Emirates would gratefully appreciate if your Ministry could act as a mediator between the airline (Flydubai) and the Chisinau International Airport management in order to find constructive solutions to an issue that goes far beyond simple Profit and Losses balance sheets considerations. 

PASSENGERS

All signatories of this petition are existing and/or future Flydubai clients on the DXB-KIV-DXB segment and approving all the above.

Sincerely,

Moldovans living and working in the United Arab Emirates, their parents, children, relatives and friends

#commitmenttostayconnected #flyingdxbkiv #flydubaimoldova

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ACTION STEPS:

WHAT WE WANT: Your signature

WHAT WE NEED: Your support 

OUTCOME: Bring Flydubai direct flight back to Moldovans 

THANK YOU!