Dubai’s first low-cost airline, flydubai, takes off on Monday from Terminal 2 and marks a step-up in the emirate’s aviation history.

The first flight to Beirut on Monday will be followed by others to Damascus, Alexandria and Amman.

The airline will be flying Boeing 737s-800. It has placed orders for 50, valued at $4 billion (Dh14.7 billion).

flydubai has already taken delivery of two aircraft; it will receive four more by 2010.

The airline currently employs 125 people, including cabin crew, and will continue to expand its human resource as more aircraft are received.

flydubai will be adding 14 to 16 more destinations by the year-end, with a focus on the subcontinent and Gulf countries.

While the summer traffic is expected to be low this year due to dampened consumer spending, Gaith Al Gaith, chief executive of flydubai, has said the airline has seen better than expected bookings for the period.

Plane crash caught on camera at Dubai International Airport.The front wheel of Bangladesh Airline explodes just seconds before take off. 14 people injured.