NAMASKAR

Good afternoon. I am very pleased to be here today to mark the entry of flydubai’s flights to Hyderabad.

A lot of hard work has gone in from both sides to make these flights a reality and I would like to express my thanks to the Indian authorities for their part in ensuring flydubai was granted permission to begin flights to this beautiful and progressive city.

The relationship between India and the UAE is a very important one and the government of Dubai values this relationship very highly.
In the 1970s annual trade was valued at US $180m. Last year that figure grew to US $43.6bn.

Trade between our two countries has grown by 300% in the past five years alone.

The UAE has investments worth US $6bn in India and 1.4m Indians make their lives and careers in the UAE.

Ours is a strong relationship and the government of Dubai is committed to playing its part to make that relationship stronger.

The development of direct air links between the many cities of India and Dubai is key to that development, so I am delighted to be here today to celebrate flydubai’s arrival in its second Indian city.

Flydubai is a quality airline, providing safe, comfortable travel on the newest aircraft. These flights will provide an opportunity for more people to travel for leisure and business purposes between Hyderabad and Dubai and that benefits both the passengers and our two countries.

I am confident that the relationship between India and the UAE will continue to go from strength to strength and that our national airline, flydubai, will go on to serve the community by providing direct, quality, affordable flights between India and Dubai for many years to come.

Thank you