stated Mohamed. As Patnaik further noted, these airlines have created a benchmark and supported the growth of this segment of the hotel scene considerably.

“Low-cost carriers certainly assist in making a destination more accessible,” highlighted Mitchell, who enthused over the number of budget airlines operating into the UAE from an array of destinations.

Indeed, being another requirement of discerning cost-conscious visitors, budget carriers have wasted no time to establish themselves as legitimate contenders within the region’s aviation industry, consistently growing and introducing new offerings and upgrades.

“Low-cost carriers have opened up the Middle East to more than one kind of traveller.

In fact, it has redefined the popular perception of this region as being one of the preferences for traditional airline travellers with demand for luxury travel only.

As tourist traffic to the Middle East keeps on growing, there has been a firm increase in the development of budget hospitality with major international players widening their presence in the budget hotel segment,” explained Byrne.

flynas, which operates over 1,000 weekly flights on 26 routes in Saudi Arabia as well as internationally, has been consistently adding new markets and increasing capacity on busier itineraries, hence, providing passengers with ample options.

“Our facilities and our commitment to a smart, hassle-free and economical travel experience with the best aircraft and guest services which makes us the ideal choice for travelling on a budget,” enthused Byrne.

In a bid to foster demand for budget travel, low-cost carriers have gone above and beyond to enhance their offering.

In 2015, Jazeera Airways successfully exited the aircraft leasing business to focus on airline commerce.

In doing so, the Kuwaiti company recently unveiled The Next Big Thing, a series of ambitious initiatives aimed at boosting the carrier’s offering and reinforcing its brand’s strength over the coming years.

Such endeavours include remote check-in, a new business lounge and plans for a dedicate terminal at Kuwait International Airport, in-flight Wi-Fi at affordable rates and the introduction of long-haul destinations, among others.

The Kuwaiti carrier recorded a net profit of KWD15.4 million (USD51.4 million) and an operating profit of KWD13.6 million (USD45.4 million) in 2015, registering a two percent increase over 2014.

As more destinations take notice of the segment’s growing potential, Muscat National Development and Investment Company (ASAAS), a government backed development and investment company, revealed its intention to launch the Sultanate’s first-ever budget carrier.

“Oman’s socio-economic interest is central to all our activities and our ambition is to develop this airline as a catalyst for the nation’s vision for development and diversification.

It will be a key component of the broader efforts to promote tourism and hospitality across the sector’s value chain,” commented Khalid Al Yahmadi, CEO, ASAAS.

“With low-cost airlines accounting for a relatively small percentage of seat capacity in both Muscat and Salalah compared to global averages, and with the redevelopment and expansion of Muscat and Salalah airports and the opening of new regional airports in Duqm and Sohar, there are obvious opportunities for an Omani low-cost carrier,” added Yahmadi.

Scheduled to initially serve domestic routes and the GCC prior to expanding further to markets such as Pakistan and Iran, the Omani budget airline aims to facilitate traffic flow to the Sultanate and open up new markets and passenger segments in a bid to foster tourism development in the country.

“The overall environment is shifting, not just in terms of reducing costs, but also in the search for cost-effective alternatives that offer great value for money.

Thus, low-cost carriers, like flynas, will eventually build and enhance the overall climate of budget travel in the Middle East,” remarked Byrne.

“There is a bright future for budget travel in the Middle East [...]. More and more people are becoming susceptible to staying in a budget hotel and spending their money on things to do during their visit,” concluded Mitchell.