Air Transport

Dubai's start-up low-cost carrier FlyDubai has secured its air operator's certificate from the United Arab Emirates authorities.

The General Civil Aviation Authority's approval comes ahead of the airline's planned initiation of services on 1 June.

FlyDubai has already received its first aircraft, one of 50 Boeing 737-800s, and identified its early destinations - its initial flight will be to Beirut.

Chief executive Ghaith Al Ghaith says: "A little more than 12 months ago, the FlyDubai venture was just a dream, with even the company's name yet to be coined.

"With the licence now granted, the airline has become a reality."

General Civil Aviation Authority director-general Saif Mohammed Al Suwaidi says the UAE has a "rigid" set of checks to ensure regulatory compliance, and FlyDubai's submissions during the process have been "of the very highest quality".