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 737-800 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).
No comments:
Post a Comment