Budget carrier may fly from DIA

Dubai's new Emirates-assisted budget carrier is likely to begin operations from Dubai International airport, as against Al Maktoum International, as previously declared, according to industry experts.

"We have heard Emirates will start operating its low cost carrier from Dubai International first and eventually from Al Maktoum International," a source told Emirates Business.

Without denying the same, Dubai Airports' chief executive, Paul Griffiths, said: "It is possible that Dubai's budget carrier could start operations from Al Maktoum International but we are still in discussions with Emirates about how best we can help the airline take off. It could be from any airport."

The source said Emirates is still looking at different scenarios for its budget carrier, and that there is no way to know what the airline would eventually do, as it is still looking at different variables. He also said it would depend on when Emirates receives planes and by when the new airport would be ready.

As per the original design, Emirates' plan is to fly from Jebel Ali's Al Maktoum International airport.

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