• Inaugural flight for North Africa’s low-cost carrier’s thrice-weekly schedule landed yesterday, enhancing Ras Al Khaimah’s connection to 100 million people in Egypt
• Service marks acceleration of expansion for the airport, which has signed agreements with several carriers in the last few months

Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK Airport) has commenced commercial passenger operations with “flyEgypt”, the North African low-cost carrier. The new schedule, which enhances Ras Al Khaimah’s connections with MENA’s most populous country, marks an acceleration in the airport’s current expansion strategy that is seeing it as the fastest-growing aviation hub in the UAE.

Commencing yesterday May 6th with the touch-down of “flyEgypt’s” flight FEG501 from Cairo International Airport to RAK Airport, the thrice-weekly service offers passengers a new value fare schedule for a direct connection to the Egyptian capital. With “flyEgypt” also starting twice-weekly direct flights from Suhag in Egypt to Ras Al Khaimah, the partnership further opens up the emirate to Egypt’s 100 million people.

Spokespersons for the airport and the carrier say that the new partnership comes at an important time, with travel restrictions being progressively lifted in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Egypt is a strong brotherly nation for the UAE, and this is reflected in the growing, economic and cultural ties between us. Increasing connectivity between Ras Al Khaimah and Egypt at this critical time will facilitate these and other mutual activities. From a localised viewpoint, this service will support Ras Al Khaimah’s diversification strategy and further enhance RAK Airport’s strategic position as a logistics and transport hub for the region,” said H.E Eng. Sheikh Salem bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport, and Board member of General Civil Aviation Authority and Ras Al Khaimah Executive Council.

“The tourism sectors in both countries will benefit significantly from the new “flyEgypt” service. It provides a direct connection for Ras Al Khaimah residents to take in the wonders of the pyramids and ancient Egypt, while travellers coming the other way can experience the many delights of Ras Al Khaimah and its unique outdoor environment that is establishing it as an adventure tourism hub. This is particularly significant for the emirate’s economy, with the widening of the emirate’s tourism sector and the attraction of greater numbers of visitors a major strand in its economic diversification strategy,” he added.

We are delighted to commence a strategic partnership with “flyEgypt”– one that reconnects the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah with North Africa in the post-pandemic phase and, in the process, creates a vital link to fuel growth and development between two important Arab entities. Ras Al Khaimah International Airport is determined to play an instrumental role in repositioning the aviation sector as a major driver for economic activities in the new normal and this new partnership is just one of many that the airport is establishing in pursuit of this goal. We are committed to opening up even more routes, with further partnership announcements to be made over the next two months,” said Sanjay Khanna, Chief Executive Officer of Ras Al Khaimah International Airport.

“This new service provides an attractive alternative for Egyptian citizens wishing to visit the UAE’s established tourist hot spots as travel restrictions ease. It also helps cement the Emirate of Ras Al Khaimah as a prime destination in its own right. The partnership will go a long way in helping the emirate’s authorities with their aim of bringing in more visitors and opening up its array of attractions to a wider segment of travellers,” he added.

“It is with great pleasure and very high hopes we announce Ras Al Khaimah as the latest valuable addition to our existing list of destinations - an addition that will help strengthen our equity as a brand and solidify our presence within the Middle East region. We strongly believe that Ras Al Khaimah will eventually become the perfect gateway to the UAE for all our passengers,” said Karim Baky, Chief Commercial Officer of “flyEgypt”.

RAK Airport and “flyEgypt’s” new partnership marks an acceleration in RAK Airport’s expansion phase, with the airport having signed agreements with several carriers in the last three months to either commence passenger operations or extend existing ones with added frequencies.  This has positioned the airport as the fastest growing UAE aviation hub, with the facility to announce more services in the coming weeks and months.  

“flyEgypt” flies between Ras Al Khaimah International Airport and Cairo International Airport three times a week, with flights every Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday and to Suhag twice a week, every Tuesday and Friday.