What’s the Latest on UAE Airline flydubai

Founded in March 2008 by the Government of Dubai, flydubai is a low-cost carrier (LCC) that has grown rapidly to become one of the largest budget airlines in the Middle East. Headquartered in Dubai, its first flight took off on June 1, 2009, from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Beirut. Since its inception, the airline has followed an ambitious growth strategy, providing affordable travel to underserved routes across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Key Milestones

• 2008: Establishment of flydubai as part of Dubai’s vision to enhance its aviation sector.
• 2009: First commercial flight to Beirut, Lebanon.
• 2012: Flydubai began offering Business Class seats, differentiating itself from traditional LCCs by catering to business travelers.
• 2015: Became the second-largest carrier operating out of Dubai International Airport, after Emirates.
• 2017: Flydubai formed a strategic codeshare agreement with Emirates, deepening their relationship.
• 2023: Operated its first Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, a critical part of its fleet renewal strategy, allowing the airline to expand its medium-haul network.

Base of Operations

Flydubai operates primarily out of Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world’s busiest airport by international passenger traffic. This hub connects flydubai to more than 90 destinations across six continents, though the airline also operates out of Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Dubai South for select flights. The strategic location of DXB allows flydubai to serve as a transit point for passengers traveling between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Relationship with Emirates

One of the most significant developments in flydubai’s history came in 2017 when it entered into a comprehensive codeshare agreement with Emirates, the UAE’s flagship carrier. Though Emirates and flydubai remain separate entities with distinct brands and operating models, their collaboration has resulted in an expansive and complementary network, providing passengers with increased connectivity options.

Flydubai offers a no-frills service model, primarily targeting budget-conscious travelers, while Emirates operates as a full-service carrier with a more premium offering. The codeshare agreement allows flydubai passengers to seamlessly connect to Emirates’ long-haul routes, leveraging Emirates’ global network, while Emirates can use flydubai’s extensive regional network. This partnership includes integrated operations at DXB’s Terminal 3, streamlined baggage handling, and more synchronized schedules.

flydubai Fleet

ronen fefer, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

At the time of writing flydubai’s fleet comprised 88 aircraft, made up of the following types:

• 29x Boeing 737-800
• 56x Boeing 737 MAX 8
• 3x Boeing 737 MAX 9

In addition, flydubai has outstanding orders for 68 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, 67 737 MAX 9s and 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners.

flydubai Route Network

Flydubai has aggressively expanded its route network over the years. Initially focused on regional destinations in the Middle East, the airline has expanded to more than 100 destinations across Africa, Central Asia, Europe, the Indian Subcontinent, and Southeast Asia. Flydubai is known for flying to underserved destinations like Hargeisa in Somalia and its strong presence in secondary airports across Eastern Europe.

As of 2024, flydubai’s key markets include destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), former Soviet states, India, Pakistan, and emerging travel hubs in Africa. Its newer aircraft, particularly the Boeing 737 MAX, have opened opportunities to serve medium-haul destinations like Helsinki, Prague, and Bangkok.

flydubai’s Dreamliner Plans

In addition to its current fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft, flydubai made headlines in 2017 by placing an order for Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, signaling a significant shift in its operational strategy. While primarily known as a low-cost carrier focusing on short- to medium-haul routes, this order suggests that flydubai intends to expand into longer-haul, higher-capacity markets.

The addition of the Dreamliner would allow the airline to serve more distant destinations that are currently out of range for its 737 MAX aircraft, potentially opening new routes to North America, East Asia, and deeper into Europe and Africa.

With the 787’s fuel efficiency and advanced passenger comfort features, flydubai aims to offer competitive pricing while enhancing the onboard experience, particularly in its business class, further bridging the gap between a low-cost and full-service model. Though delivery dates have yet to be confirmed, this order reflects the airline’s ambition to grow beyond its current network and strengthen its position in the increasingly competitive global aviation market.

Recent News and Fleet Expansion

Flydubai’s fleet has been undergoing modernization, with a strong focus on the Boeing 737 MAX. This is central to its strategy to expand operations and improve fuel efficiency. Despite challenges during the global grounding of the 737 MAX between 2019 and 2020, the aircraft has been reintegrated into flydubai’s operations, with over 30 now in service.

In 2023, flydubai announced further expansion in its route network, particularly targeting underserved regions in Africa and Central Asia. The airline has also seen a steady increase in passenger numbers, with nearly 11 million passengers flown in 2022, reflecting a strong recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on global aviation.

Other recent destinations added to the network include EuroAirport/Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, which is flydubai’s longest route to Europe, served four times per week.

Looking ahead, flydubai aims to increase its fleet to over 200 aircraft by the end of the decade, which will significantly bolster its route expansion plans, targeting more long-haul and medium-haul destinations.