RAK Airways has announced its strategic plan towards commercial expansion and acquiring new aircraft. Engr. Murabit Al Sawaf, President and CEO of RAK Airways said that the expansion plan is part of the airline?s endeavours to achieve the target of 40 destinations by 2015, of which five destinations will be announced shortly.
Addressing a press conference at Hilton Resort and Spa Hotel in Ras Al Khaimah, recently, Al Sawaf said that while expansion of destination is one of the key commercial focus? of the airline, there is also a strategic focus on increasing the airline?s fleet. ?Accordingly new aircraft will join the fleet before the end of this year?, he said, adding that the airline is now operating its services by using two leased aircraft.
Al Sawaf said ?RAK Airways transported 300,000 passengers in 2012. There has been 40 percent increase in the number of passengers carried by the airline in the first half of 2013 compared to the same period last year. In the first half of 2013, the airline increased its frequency to Dhaka, Peshawar and Lahore, from two weekly flights to three, in order to meet with growing demand to these destinations.
The weekly services to Jeddah will also rise to 10 from seven?.
According to Al Sawaf, ?RAK Airways has an ambitious growth plan and the strategy is being studied to roll out the plan effectively, in a short span of time.?
?Being one of the national carriers of the United Arab Emirates, RAK Airways is playing a vital role in the growth and development of Ras Al Khaimah, he said.
?We are working on diversifying travel options to Ras Al Khaimah, whether it is for business or tourism purposes.?
The airline also functions as a roving ambassador by showcasing investment opportunities available in the emirate to the world, in addition to letting the world know about the large number of touristic and recreational sites available in the emirate.
Ras Al Khaimah, the growing emirate of the United Arab Emirates has plans to offer 10,000 new hotel rooms by the year 2016. The latest luxury hotel brand attraction much talked about in Ras Al Khaimah is the soon to be opened Warldorf Astoria with its 346 rooms and suites !
RAK Airways is one of the youngest national carrier?s in UAE. It was founded in 2006 and launched operations in early 2007. The airline re-launched in 2010 with a new livery and under new management. RAK Airways is one of the first Middle Eastern airlines to actively use social media, engaging with its passengers via Twitter and Facebook.