Boeing and flydubai finalise order for 75 737 MAXs

The order was first announced as a commitment at the 2013 Dubai Airshow, making it Boeing's largest single-aisle airplane order in the Middle East. 

Commenting on the order, flydubai Chief Executive Officer Ghaith Al Ghaith said: "2013 has been a tremendous year for flydubai. We have launched 16 new routes, delivered profitability in just three years of operation and launched our Business Class service. The confirmed order for 75 737 MAXs and 11 Next-Generation 737-800s signifies the maturing of the airline and the strength of our business model as well as support flydubai's ambitious growth." 

The 737 MAX incorporates the latest technology CFM International LEAP-1B engines to deliver the highest efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort in the single-aisle market. Airlines operating the 737 MAX will see a 14 percent fuel-use improvement over today's most fuel-efficient single-aisle airplanes. 

"The order is a tremendous endorsement of the ongoing popularity and reliability of the Next-Generation 737-800 and the unsurpassed fuel efficiency that the 737 MAX will offer in the single aisle market," said Marty Bentrott, vice president, Sales, Middle East, Russia and Central Asia, Boeing Commercial Airplanes. "We are very proud to be partners in flydubai's success and that the airline will continue its expansion with an all-Boeing fleet." 

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “flydubai's aggressive growth shows no sign of abating. As it approaches its fifth anniversary this summer, flydubai is well on its way to notching up 100 or more destinations as it rapidly looks to grow its 737 fleet to augment its plans 

“Adding 11 more 737-800s gives the airline a bridge to the arrival of its 737 MAX 8s that arrive in 2017 which will further enhance flydubai's already renown ability to keep a lid on costs, especially fuel, as it expands its fleet and network. The fuel savings from the 737MAX fleet will almost certainly spur further follow on orders and it's not a surprise that the 737MAX was chosen by the Gulf airline.” 

Ahmad added: “It is the only GCC low cost airline that flies the 737, whereas its competitors all fly A320s, which have fewer seats, and by extension have less revenue generating capability - this is also how flydubai has managed to become a profitable entity in just under four years. These pricing and product advantages have served flydubai well and the introduction of the 737MAX and the size of that order will surely throw the gauntlet down to rivals as to how much faster and bigger flydubai really aims to become.” 

Development of the 737 MAX is on schedule with firm configuration of the airplane achieved in July 2013. First flight is scheduled in 2016 with deliveries to customers beginning in 2017. Already a market success, the 737 MAX has accumulated more than 1,700 orders to date and will have 8 percent per-seat lower operating costs than the future competition.