Hugh McAtear/DUBAI
Fujairah International Airport, the only airport on the east coast of the UAE, is here to highlight its unique position as a potential alternative to established airports in the region.
The pioneer appearance at the show kicks off an international marketing push to promote both passenger and cargo traffic, as well as repair and overhaul services, at the 12-year-old airport.
Mohammed Alsalami, chairman of the Department of Civil Aviation, explains the rationale behind Fujairah's promotional push. "The airport is playing its part in the broader development of sea-air cargo operations through the east coast of the UAE, as well as boosting local and international inbound tourism. We are also offering companies involved in repair and overhaul and distribution of aerospace-related components an ideal base for their operations in the Middle East."
David Worth, newly-appointed sales and marketing manager who was previously with London Luton Airport, says: "We have the available space and the backing of the government to promote Fujairah as a viable alternative to well-established hubs such as Dubai and Bahrain."
At 3750m, the Category 1 ILS main runway can accommodate the world's largest aircraft types, while the cargo terminal is complemented by a well-established port.
The airport has scheduled commercial services by Gulf Air, Indian Airlines and EgyptAir, and also charter operations by CIS carriers.
Worth says the emphasis will be on raising the profile of the emirate in the international aviation community, but stresses the plan is not just to emulate Dubai.
He believes up to five regional routes can sustain direct flights from Fujairah, and says an option has been given to Gulf Air to operate these services.
Otherwise the ambitious emirate could take up a standby contract for a wet lease agreement on three Airbus A320s to effectively operate its own fledgling airline.
He stresses however that a realistic five-year marketing master plan is in place to build up business at Fujairah slowly but surely.
The priority will be on attracting airline business from the Middle East and Far East initially, but the world is Fujairah's oyster in the long run, he says.
Source: Flight Daily News
