DUBAI // The colourful characters from a popular Emirati cartoon are the new faces of an in-flight safety video for the budget airline flydubai.
The characters from Freej, a computer-animated series celebrating UAE culture through the eyes of four grandmothers in a secluded Dubai neighbourhood, can now be seen by passengers on some of the carrier's aeroplanes.
The short animation is shown in English and Arabic, and features the characters being taken through the on-board safety briefing.
"The safety demonstration is a vital part of every flight, but we wanted to deliver the information in an original, yet informative, way," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, the chief executive of flydubai.
"When we decided to create a video we naturally thought of Freej, as it is not only the most successful Emirati animation series, it engages audiences of all ages and encourages passengers to watch and take note of the important safety briefing."
The show's creator, Mohammed Saeed Harib, said he was delighted flydubai had decided to use his characters for the video.
"This was a very exciting project to take on," Mr Harib said. "Freej is watched by families all over the Middle East and we are delighted to be able to introduce it to new audiences across the flydubai network."
The new video is available on all flydubai aircraft that have the in-flight entertainment system fitted to the back of every seat, such as its new fleet of Boeing 737-800 NG jets.
Flydubai, which operates from Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport, was launched with a flight to Beirut in June 2009.
It now flies to more than 40 locations in the Middle East, Africa, the subcontinent and Europe.
You can watch the safety video on YouTube.
