Flydubai’s CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith announced the airline’s plans to start operations at Jebel Ali in a couple of years and eventually relocate to the upcoming Al Maktoum International Airport as Dubai plans to shift the airport from Dubai International to Al Maktoum in the next decade. Despite record rains causing flight cancellations in April, the airline managed to maintain safe operations with no damage to the planes, ensuring minimal impact on business flow and financials. Flydubai also aims to retrofit its Boeing fleet’s cabin interior before the year ends and anticipates surpassing last year’s passenger numbers.
The airline chief emphasized the importance of Dubai’s infrastructure and ruled out establishing another base outside of Dubai, citing the potential for growth within the city. With summer bookings looking strong, flydubai plans to relaunch 10 destinations during the season. India, representing 1.5% of the airline’s capacity, plays a significant role in the company, with 20% of its staff hailing from India. Al Ghaith expressed confidence in the airline’s ability to grow to 200 aircraft while remaining Dubai-centric.
Despite the challenges posed by the record rains in April, flydubai successfully managed the crisis, offering refunds to one-third of affected passengers and rebooking the rest, leading to minimal disruption in operations and financials. The upcoming move to Al Maktoum International Airport will provide flydubai with a larger platform for growth and expansion, as Dubai looks to transition its main airport. By completing the retrofit project for its Boeing fleet’s cabin interior, flydubai aims to enhance the flying experience for its passengers and further solidify its position in the market.
With a strong focus on Dubai as its primary hub, flydubai continues to see opportunities for growth within the city and remains dedicated to serving its customers with top-notch services. The airline’s commitment to maintaining safe operations and delivering an exceptional flying experience sets it apart in a competitive market. As the summer season approaches, flydubai looks forward to relaunching destinations and providing efficient air travel options for its passengers. By staying true to its Dubai-centric approach and leveraging its infrastructure, flydubai is poised for further success and expansion in the coming years.
