Dubai, June 3 (IANS/WAM) Trade between the UAE and India increased by nearly 70 percent during 2008-09, showing the growing importance of ties between the two countries, a top envoy has said.

"Bilateral trade (non-oil) between India and the UAE was worth $48.3bn in 2008-09, an increase of 65.8 percent over the previous year, which shows the growing importance of relations between our two nations, UAE Ambassador to India Mohamed Sultan Al Owais said.

"Increasing transportation links between India and the UAE can only help strengthen the economic and commercial ties between us," he said Wednesday at the launch of the 'flydubai' low cost airline's thrice weekly flight to Lucknow.

"It is important for both the UAE and India that we increase the number of safe, affordable, quality air travel options that connect our countries," he said, adding that flydubai "is an excellent airline, committed to the highest standards of safety, training and maintenance."

"I am confident flydubai will provide an excellent service to the people travelling between Dubai and Lucknow and we look forward to the airline being able to expand services to other Indian cities in the future," the UAE ambassador noted.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, the flydubai CEO who flew on board the inaugural flight, said: "After much anticipation, we are thrilled to make our first entry into India with the start of flights to Lucknow."

The new service, FZ433, will operates on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, departing Dubai at 8.30 p.m. and arriving in Lucknow at 1.50 a.m. the following day. The return flight, FZ434, will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, departing Lucknow at 2.35 a.m. and arriving in Dubai at 5.20 a.m.