Dubai, UAE, - flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, today announced a new service between Dubai and Sohag, one of the most popular gateway cities into southern Egypt.

Flights will begin on April 6, 2011, and will operate twice a week on Wednesdays and Sundays.

This new route replaces flydubai’s current service to Assiut, and is in response to customer demand. When combined with flights to Alexandria and Luxor, Sohag further cements flydubai’s commitment to Egypt.

flydubai CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: “The shift of operations from Assiut to Sohag reinforces our dedication to offering convenient travel to passengers. Egypt has had a turbulent start to the year, but business and travel to and from the country continue. Egypt and the UAE have fostered strong ties over the years and the contribution of the Egyptian expat population to the UAE’s continued development is significant. We are pleased to show our commitment to the Egyptian market by announcing a new route to the country today and hope our flights to Sohag will further strengthen the cultural and economic bond between our nations.”

Otherwise known as the “Bride of the Nile”, Sohag came into prominence in 1960 when the city was renamed after the province of Sohag Girga. The city is home to Sidi Arif and El-Farshuti Mosques and is in close proximity to key touristic sites such as the White and Red Monasteries, the city of Akhmim and the temple built for goddess Repyt by Ptolemy XV Caesarion.  Sohag is also regarded as an academic and administrative hub due to the emergence of Sohag University as a reputed academic institution in Egypt.

A one-way fare to Sohag from Dubai starts from AED 420, including one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. Checked baggage starts at AED50 for 20kgs. A seat with extra legroom costs AED100. Flights from Sohag to Dubai start at AED 540.

Meanwhile, flydubai has also begun weekly flights to the Red Sea city of Port Sudan.

Flight FZ635 leaves Dubai Terminal 2 every Monday at 0900hrs, landing in Port Sudan at 1110hrs local time. The return flight, via Khartoum, departs Port Sudan at 1210hrs and lands back in Dubai at 1905hrs local time.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai, said: “The addition of flights to Port Sudan underlines our commitment to the country. There are a number of business links between the nations, as evidenced by the popularity of our Khartoum service. We hope that adding Port Sudan to our network will foster increased relations between the UAE and Sudan.”

Port Sudan is flydubai’s second destination to the east African nation – following the launch of services to the capital, Khartoum, in November 2009.

The Red Sea city was founded by the British in the early 20th century and used to transport Sudan’s agricultural exports, including cotton. More recently, it has also emerged as a hub for offshore petroleum companies, while tourists are attracted by its beaches and dive sties.

A one-way fare to Port Sudan from Dubai starts from AED385, including one piece of hand luggage weighing up to 7kg and one small laptop bag or hand bag. Checked baggage starts at AED50 for 20kgs. A seat with extra legroom costs AED100. Flights from Port Sudan to Dubai start at AED 400.

Flights between Dubai and Sohag and Dubai and Port Sudan can be purchased from flydubai’s website, its call centre (+9714 301 0800) and through travel partners.