Saudi Gazette Correspondent RAS AL KHAIMAH — RAK Airways is the youngest flag carrier of the United Arab Emirates with a route network of 10 destinations and, although new on the GCC airline scene, it has the energy and facilities to become a very serious competitor. Last year (2012) was very successful year for RAK Airways with passenger numbers topping 300,000 across the airline's network. Salem Bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Vice Chairman of RAK Airways, is very aware of his emirate's history. “Go back in history and it's clear that we are a trading hub, traditionally based around pearls, fishing and spices. We have always been involved in trade and our roots stretch back some 7000 years.” It was no surprise, he thought, that the government of the emirate established an airport in 1976 that it was big enough to cope with aircraft and passenger numbers many could not have conceived of. “The government's thinking was that without an adequate airport, we could neither promote the business aspect, the area or tourism,” observed Al Qasimi. With its developed seaport facilities and its status as the world's biggest producer of ceramic ware, business is very much in the thinking of the airline. The government capitalized on the location of the emirate and its strengths – location and trading history – and the legacy of that foresight remains today in the airport infrastructure, for example. The Airbus A380 (the world's largest airliner) landed and was tested there and the airport has the space for facilities and infrastructure needed to develop the fledgling airline. Murabit Al Sawaf, president of RAK Airways and board member, said the airline was developing rapidly as were many in the Middle East. Despite the rapidity of growth, it was however in in clearly defined and planned phases. “Growth of airlines in the Middle East has been tremendous – last year specifically it was 15 to 20 percent. Our growth is even more. Our expectations for the coming five years have been met after only three years,” he said. “We currently don't fly into Europe, but in the coming years and (in) the second phase of the expansion plan, we will be looking at destinations in Europe and Russia and so on.” Al Qasimi augmented the observation, adding that RAK Airways was seeking to handle both tourism and business, but in their own niche-market style and, alongside scheduled flights, is developing charter flights from Europe and private business travelers. This year expansion plans include a new route to Dammam, which will launch in April 2013, and adding a fourth by November 2013 and two more routes. The winter schedule for 2013 is on target to double the number of flights. “For the expansion of the airline, RAK will be sticking with the Airbus 320 as it brings its fleet up to 10 units in the next few years,” said Al Qasimi. Already, a code-sharing agreement with Etihad has increased RAK Airways reach and an air-cab service every day connecting with Abu Dhabi makes them the only UAE airline to fly within the Emirates. A railway connection with Dubai is coming soon and this year a new road RAK ring road, a highway crossing the emirate of RAK, will connect Oman to the UAE highway. “We are an attractive carrier because we have very fast handling. Currently its 10 meters from the aircraft to the processing and then 10 meters to the car,” he said. Immigration controls have anticipated the development with an e-gate for UAE e-pass, speeding transit through passport control. To facilitate this further, customs, immigration and police are teamed to work together and process visitors rapidly. “Incorporated into our business model is the will to make the flight experience special from A to Z, from booking and getting a visa through the personal care of every passenger on the flight to the arrival at the RAK formalities,” said Al Qasimi. In parallel with expanding the fleet and the traffic movements, there are secure plans to expand the ground handling services, ramps, parking, duty free facilities and runways, although Al Qasimi ruled out the A380 as a visitor. “That,” he said, “is a whole different ball game!” Al Qasimi sees RAK developing as a third hub, alongside Dubai and Abu Dhabi. “For scheduled operations, we are talking about the region, rather than long haul – Iceland or Australia! Our focus is the region because we see great potential in the here. It is booming, in terms of business and tourism, both international and regional. Already we are seeing a million Saudi visitors in Dubai for the shopping festival - a big number – and we want to be part of it.” As for tourism, RAK has plenty to offer in the way of environmental, marine, desert and archaeological tourism. Already there is a developed market for adventure tourism with mountain hiking, desert travel and a thriving beach-holiday segment. The government has been building resorts high in the mountains in a climate that is 14 degrees cooler in the summer than on the coast, a sure-fire attraction. RAK Airways thrums with energy from the young and forward-looking management. There is a determination in the air to develop the emirate, and the airline sees itself as a main driver of that development – but retaining the personal touch as “people who fly real people.”
