Flydubai received its 50th aircraft

Flydubai received its 50th aircraft. The delivery of the Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 completes the order the airline made at the Farnborough Air Show in 2008.
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Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer, flydubai said: “In the six years since flydubai was launched we have built a network of 94 destinations with new cities joining all the time.  We have benefitted from being located in Dubai, an international centre for business. flydubai has supported Dubai’s commercial and tourism sectors by opening up 67 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai.  We are recognised by our passengers for providing reliable travel services and have helped to change the way people travel across our network.  This aircraft represents the fulfilment of the vision set for the airline in 2008. It has been a remarkable journey.” 

flydubai made a historic order for the largest single-aisle aircraft in the Middle East  totalling 111 Boeing aircraft. The airline will receive 11 Next-Generation 737-800 between 2016 and 2017, followed by 100 737 MAX between 2017 and 2023. 

“flydubai’s growth has been nothing short of remarkable,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray Conner. “In a span of just six years, flydubai has built a 50 strong fleet and a rapidly expanding network.  We are extremely proud of our partnership with flydubai and the confidence and trust it continues to place in Boeing’s present and future single-aisle airplanes.” 

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Flydubai's expansion has been breathtaking to the extreme. It's network of 94 destinations amassed in just six years speaks volumes not just about the market void for low cost travel that the airline has stepped in and filled, its rapid induction for fifty 737-800s highlights it's ambition and appeal. 

“Having had its sukuk oversubscribed last year, flydubai has become the fastest growing low cost airline in the world - it's commencement of flights from Dubai World Central next month will see its footprint and organic growth rise even further. 

“The added competitive advantage it enjoys with its 737-800s with its iconic Business Class product over its A320-operating rivals who have fewer seats means that flydubao can offer more varied fares as well as aiming for higher yielding fares on lucrative routes to destinations in southern Europe and CIS states.” 

Ahmad added: “With 75 more 737 MAX 8 jets on order and a further 11 737-800s joining the fleet next year, flydubai is primed to continue its expansion much in the same way that it's sister airline Emirates has grown.‎ It's been a fast and furious growth spurt - but as flydubai matures with age, its propensity to carve out and build on its profitability will become more prevalent.”