Flydubai introduces Split Scimitar Winglets on its NG Boeing 737-800 fleet

On Friday 27 September, Flydubai flight FZ 144 from Amman to Dubai was operated by A6-FEC; the first aircraft in the airline’s fleet to be retrofitted with the new winglets.

The retrofit programme will see up to 30 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft fitted with the new Split Scimitar Winglets between September 2019 and October 2020. Upon completion of the programme, the airline’s retrofitted Next-Generation aircraft will benefit from greater fuel efficiency while producing less carbon emissions.

By reducing the drag created at the end of the wingtip and distributing the lift of the aircraft more evenly across the whole wing, the Split Scimitar Winglets reduce fuel consumption for Flydubai by 1.5%. The winglets are estimated to reduce Flydubai’s annual fuel bill by over 200,000 litres per aircraft and reduce CO2 emissions by more than 510 tonnes per aircraft per year.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive officer at Flydubai, said: “the Split Scimitar Winglets have been in use since 2013 and we have seen many airlines around the world benefit from this technology both financially and environmentally. Choosing to invest in the latest technologies and to retrofit our fleet is part of fulfilling our commitment to cost and operational efficiency and passing on the savings to our passengers.”

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “Whilst flydubai's 737 MAX fleet remains grounded, the decision to install split Scimitar singles to its existing 737-800 fleet will help the airline reduce its fuel bill and carbon emissions.

“The continued investment and evolution of wingtip treatments to alleviate wake vortices, drag and fuel burn is key behind flydubai's decision to fit these new fuel saving devices to its existing fleet.”

Ahmad added: “A slew of 737 operators already use Scimitar winglets, such as United Airlines and Alaska Airlines - and in being the first to install them on its fleet in the GCC will further augment flydubai's cost reduction efforts as the airline gears up to re-integrating the 737 MAX fleet back into service within a matter of months.”