Flydubai seals $27B deal for 175 Max
Flydubai has finalised a $27 billion deal with Boeing for 175 airplanes to strengthen its growing network through a range of Max 8, Max 9 and Max 10 variants.
dubai — Flydubai has finalised a $27 billion deal with Boeing for 175 airplanes to strengthen its growing network through a range of Max 8, Max 9 and Max 10 variants.
The mega deal, which was announced at the 2017 Dubai Airshow in November, is the largest single-aisle jet order in Middle East history and pushed the total Max orders above 4,200 since the programme was launched in 2011. It also includes options for an additional 50 jets.
“This is our largest order in our eight-year history and our third order with Boeing whose aircraft have given us the ability to carry 44 million passengers since we began operations,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive of flydubai.
“With up to 296 aircraft on order, we have become one of the world’s top 10 airlines in terms of order backlog and we look forward to continuing to enhance the connectivity of Dubai’s aviation hub,” he added.
Flydubai, an all-Boeing operator, first ordered the 737 Max in 2013 with a purchase of 75 jets. The carrier has taken delivery of five Max airplanes from that order.
“I am delighted that we end 2017 with today’s announcement representing the next chapter in flydubai’s success story,” Al Ghaith said.
The 737 Max, which has racked up 640 net orders this year, is considered the best-selling airplane in Boeing history. The Max family of airplanes offers seating for about 130 to just over 200 passengers with a range of 3,200 to 3,800 nautical miles. The new aircraft order would support flydubai’s continued expansion within a geographic area that is home to 2.5 billion people.
Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research, said flydubai’s purchase power means that passengers will harness the fruits of this investment.
“New airplanes, new routes, better fares and a bigger network via Emirates — what’s not to like? This is a huge win for Boeing but an even bigger win for flydubai as it matures into a formidable entity,” Ahmad told Khaleej Times on Friday. “Sealing the deal for 175 all new fuelefficient 737 Max ensures that flydubai’s long-term organic expansion will be assured. The airline will leverage the strength of these new airplanes to fly further, open up new markets and drive more value and efficiency into its everdeepening relationship with Emirates,” he added.
Ihssane Mounir, senior vicepresident, global sales and marketing, Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said Boeing is excited to finalise the landmark deal with flydubai.
“As one of the first operators of the 737 Max 8, flydubai order for more models, including the recently launched Max 10, is a vote of confidence in the Max family’s exceptional fuel efficiency, reliability and flexibility. We look forward to hundreds of Max airplanes supporting flydubai’s continued success,” he said.
Low-cost carrier flydubai will have a fleet of 61 next-generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft and Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft by the end of the year. In addition, there is a pipeline of 70 aircraft due for delivery by 2023.
“An order of this magnitude not only throws down the gauntlet to the competition, it’s a positive statement of intent. Flydubai is assured to move into Terminal 3 with
With up to 296 aircraft on order, we have become one of the world’s top 10 airlines in terms of order backlog Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai
Emirates to help slash connection times and further down the road, when they both move to Dubai World Central, both airlines will be able to truly unlock their growth potential,” Ahmad concluded. — muzaffarrizvi@khaleejtimes.com