RAK Airways to launch flights to Pakistan in Nov

RAK Airways said on Monday it was to expand its route network with flights to Peshawar and Lahore in Pakistan.

Effective from next month, the Ras Al Khaimah-based carrier will offer two flights a week to the two cities, it said in a statement.

RAK Airways CEO Omar Jahameh said: "The addition of two new routes to our network is an extremely significant development for the airline as we celebrate our first anniversary."

RAK Airways relaunched operations in October 2010 with two routes and has over the last 12 months added another six destinations, he added.

"Our first anniversary is just the beginning of a long and successful future for the airline. Over the next few months we will continue to add to our network, with a range of new destinations around the GCC, Indian sub-continent and beyond," said Jahameh.

Jahameh said Peshawar and Lahore had been strategically chosen, adding: "The volume of foreign trade between the UAE and Pakistan amounted to $2.86 billion last year, at a growth rate of nine percent.

"With flights to Lahore, the country's second largest city and Peshawar, a major commercial hub, passengers can capitalise on the latent opportunities for trade that exist between the two countries. Furthermore, we will provide the UAE's Pakistani community with increased connections to travel home."

Earlier on Monday, RAK Airways announced a one-off special fare promotion of AED 1 flights to all its destinations to celebrate its first anniversary.

The AED 1 special seat deals were available online from midnight on Sunday October 9 to midnight on Monday October 10 and are valid for travel from October 10 to March 28, 2012.