Operations for the UAE's first domestic passenger airline are expected to launch in the first quarter of next year.
Eastern Express, the new airline based on the partnership between Al Hajjar Aviation and Abulhoul Aviation, will operate out of Fujairah to feed international airlines in Abu Dhabi, Gulf News reported.
"This has been worked on for almost two and a half years now," said Al Hajjar Aviation CEO and president Alex de Vos.
"It's obviously a condition of market environment here and what we've seen is that the economic situation in the country and in the world is strengthening again, so it would make it a better time now than a year ago," he added.
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The flight will connect travellers in Fujairah with the capital's airport in less than 40 minutes.
According to de Vos, the airline plans to launch with two daily flights from Fujairah to Abu Dhabi, with hopes to increase to three flights, depending on the market.
In the long-run the plan for Eastern Express is to become a regional airline serving the GCC network, De Vos added.
"That's the idea," he said. "There's a lack of regional services in the aircraft market, which leaves out passengers who want to leave on shorter routes," he said, adding that they would provide different timings for business and leisure travellers.
Eastern Express will take off with one plane — a turboprop aircraft that is designed for short, high-frequency routes. While tickets are expected to cost less than flying on a larger jet, Eastern Express is not a low-cost carrier and will provide full flight services.
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