Flydubai’s 50th Boeing 737-800 on display at Dubai Airshow
DUBAI: Dubai-based flydubai marks its fourth participation in the Dubai Airshow by showcasing its 50th aircraft, the newest and last aircraft to be delivered from the carrier’s historic order placed at the Farnborough International Airshow.
In 2008, at the Farnborough International Airshow, flydubai placed an order for 50 Next-Generation Boeing 737800 aircraft. It was the largest order for this type of aircraft that had been placed by a start-up airline valued at USD 4 billion at list prices. The first flydubai aircraft made its debut at the 2009 Dubai Airshow.
flydubai’s Chairman, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, was asked, when the order was placed, whether its business model would follow that of other low-cost airlines and flydubai’s Chairman was unequivocal in his response: “We will be flydubai.”
The aircraft order was made a year before flydubai planned its first flight or sold a ticket. This confidence continued when flydubai decided to proceed with the launch of the airline at the height of the global economic crisis and it launched in June 2009 with flights to Beirut.
At the 2011 Dubai Airshow, the carrier’s fleet had grown to be home to 23 brand new aircraft and created a network of 46 destinations within five hours flying radius from Dubai.
The 2013 Dubai Airshow was a milestone show for Dubai and flydubai. The carrier placed a USD 11.4 billion order for 75 new aircraft as well as purchase rights for an additional 25 737 MAX 8. The new aircraft deliveries will be over a six-year period between 2017 and 2023. The order also included 11 Next-Generation 737-800s and deliveries will start from May 2016.
As it enters its sixth year of operation, flydubai has consistently shown over this time that it has continued to do things differently, challenging the conventions around air travel. flydubai has created a network of 96 destinations in 45 countries, launched Business Class services, signed a number of interline agreements, continued to grow its Cargo division and invest in product enhancements.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai’s CEO: “We knew that carrying Dubai’s name set huge expectations. We had to deliver an airline that met the standards of aviation and innovation that the UAE is known for internationally. Like the city it represents, flydubai, strives on imagination and innovation.”
“It has been a remarkable journey for what started off as Dubai’s first low-cost airline and has continued to challenge the conventions of air travel in the region and to exceed expectations. We remain committed to supporting Dubai’s aviation hub and creating free flows of trade and tourism. The fulfillment of the first aircraft order on schedule has been a key factor in supporting flydubai’s growth. The new aircraft order will also enable us to continue, with ambition, to open up more destinations and add more frequencies.”
In 2015, flydubai took delivery of 8 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft, launched 16 new destinations, increased its operation to more than 1,600 flights as well as see the start of its flights out of Al Maktoum International at Dubai World Central (DWC).
New maintenance facility
flydubai has announced the launch of its wheel and brake maintenance facility, dedicated to offering a full range of maintenance services for these components installed on Boeing 737 aircraft.
Located within Dubai International Airport over 365.21 square meters, the new flydubai facility is certified as an Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) from the General Civil Aviation Authority of the UAE.
Capitalising on its efficient workflows and modern equipment, the facility is managed by an experienced team and is capable of processing up to 10 units a day.
flydubai operates a single-model fleet of 50 Boeing 737-800 Next-Generation aircraft. Being one of the youngest fleets in the skies with an average age of 3.1 years, the airlines is capable of increasing its cost efficiency by bringing down the cost of maintenance and fuel consumption.