5 |
||||||
5 Brand-new Economy Class seats on A6-FKO . The aircraft was showcased at the 2023 Dubai Airshow before entering into service . // PHOTO : LORENZO GIACOBBO |
it would offer one of the best premium products in the world .
FLEET AND DESTINATIONS
Since commencing operations in 2009 , the airline has opened more than 75 routes that had no previous direct air links to Dubai , or that had gone unserved by a UAE national carrier from Dubai . The airline currently operates a fleet of 84 737-800s , 737-8s , and 737-9s . The MAXs account for more than half of Flydubai ’ s fleet ; with 13 of them having joined FZ ’ s fleet in 2023 , enabling it to open or relaunch flights to 17 destinations worldwide .
By flying the 737-8 and -9 MAX variants for up to seven hours , the airline is close to fulfilling the MAX ’ s full potential . Airlines such as Transavia fly the 737-800 non-stop from Amsterdam to Dubai for up to 6:30 hours , with a stop on the way back due to range limitations .
Al Ghaith has often said that Europe ’ s leisure markets are crucial to Flydubai ’ s development . The MAX could already open new non-stop
|
destinations in Europe not currently served by Emirates — such as Brindisi , Turin , and Innsbruck . These would be in addition to those destinations in which Flydubai had expressed an interest in the past , such as the Baltic countries and Finland .
Alternatively , the 787 could unlock a totally new set of popular destinations : South Africa ( possibly a key leisure destination ) or cities in Scandinavia and the Iberian Peninsula . The 787 could also open routes to destinations on the opposite side of the planet , such as Indonesia , Thailand , and Vietnam . Australia remains a delicate and highly regulated market , but one in which passengers have expressed an interest in the past .
RELATING TO EMIRATES
Many people still associate Emirates with Flydubai or think that these two airlines are part of the same group , as Austrian Airlines is part of the Lufthansa Group . Not so . Although Flydubai and Emirates are both fully owned by the Investment
|
Corporation of Dubai ( ICD ), they are operated independently and under separate management teams . The relationship between the two DXB-based airlines could be described as cooperative and cordial . Al Ghaith defined the Emirates and Flydubai as “ one big family .”
Emirates ’ expertise helped Flydubai take off 15 years ago . Al Ghaith ’ s experience in the UAE ’ s largest carrier has certainly consolidated the relationship between the two airlines . Sharing a global hub is never easy , and competition can sometimes become savage . This happens in many parts of the world , such as Tokyo Haneda ( HND ), London Heathrow ( LHR ), and Los Angeles ( LAX ). Airlines operating in and out of these major hubs have established their own codesharing , handling , and network agreements and are in open competition with each other . The synergy between Emirates and Flydubai , in contrast , is a great example of airlines working together to affirm the UAE ’ s authority in a region of the world where competition is getting ever stronger .
|