DUBAI, 5 March — Airlines flying into Dubai are offering competitive fares and packages during the Dubai Shopping Festival in view of the projected high demand during the month-long festival. The airlines are competing with each other to offering discounted fares, attractive hotel packages, tours and transport services. Many of the airlines are introducing extra flights to meet the expected demand. Emirates airline, a key sponsor of DSF, has tied up with Le Meridien Hotel, to hold a weekly draw for Emirates passengers with a prize of a family holiday in Dubai. The airline has also created a special DSF package offering a choice of 14 hotels offering rates of $27 per person per night. Emirates is also offering extra 10 kg allowance for passengers available of the hotel package. Mohammed Linjawi, UAE manager, Saudi Arabian Airlines, said: “We’re preparing to handle the big rush during DSF. We’re introducing two additional flights on Sundays and Thursdays and also deploying wide-bodied aircraft on Dubai route.” Linjawi added that Saudia, which was sponsoring the Saudi pavilion at the Global Village, registered huge increase in traffic during last DSF. A further increase was expected this year. Ghaith Al Ghaith, Emirates commercial operations director, said: “We’re determined to help make the event bigger and better than ever. We intend to really roll out the red carpet to tempt visitors, who may still be a little unsure about international travel to come to one of the world’s safest and most welcoming destinations.” Othman S. Othman, Kuwait Airways’ senior regional director Gulf Arab Peninsula and Iran, said: “Dubai’s year-round calendar of events with various festivals has a large following form Kuwait, which has shown a consistent increase.”
