flydubai has announced five new destinations including Delhi

Kazakhstan will join flydubai’s network for the first time and flights will launch later this year to two destinations Almaty and Shymkent.  

Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer, said: “As flydubai approaches its fifth year of operation it has created a network of 74 destinations in 35 countries. Today’s route announcements are a clear demonstration of the important role we are playing in the development of the tourism industry and there remains much opportunity. Our commitment to further strengthen the trade, travel and tourism links in the region by opening up previously underserved markets supports The Dubai Tourism Vision 2020.” 

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “flydubai's expansion in India will be great news for passengers but will certainly not be as welcome for India's struggling airlines. 

“Nearly all Indian airlines are hideously managed and are losing money hand-over-fist, flydubai will capitalise on their inefficiency and pluck customers from them with ease. Customers aren't always bothered about flying full service airlines - often, they are driven by value for money and with the UAE host to a lot of Indian businesses and human labour, flydubai will carve out a respectable portion of the lucrative Dubai-Delhi/Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram routes.” 

Ahmad added: “Services to Almaty and Shymkent too will put pressure on incumbent Air Astana - Kazakhstan is a vibrant and maturing market but lacks consumer choice in air travel. flydubai has the benefit of its low cost model to extend its reach here and seize significant market share by providing frill-free fares to travellers. It is these sorts of targeted moves by flydubai that has helped them become profitable in less than five years. And with 74 destinations to boot, flydubai is already making huge steps towards a third consecutive year of profits.