flydubai touches down in its 50th destination

Flydubai has cemented its position as the world's fastest growing start-up airline ever with the start of flights to its 50th destination in less than three years.

Marking its entry into the Kyrgyz Republic, flydubai’s inaugural flight to Bishkek landed at Bishkek International Airport this morning, expanding its operational route network to 28 countries across the GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian sub-continent, Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.

Inaugurating the flight, Hamad Obaidalla, CCO of flydubai, said: “Today is a momentous day for flydubai. Not only is Bishkek the 50th destination we have started operations to, but it also marks our entry into the Kyrgyz Republic. I’d like to thank the authorities for their help with starting this service, which I am sure will be well received by passengers around our network.”

The launch of flights to flydubai’s 50th destination is yet another milestone in flydubai’s short history, which also includes taking delivery of the 7,000th Boeing 737 in December 2011.

flydubai’s CEO, Ghaith Al Ghaith, said he was proud that the airline has launched operations to 50 destinations in less than three years and that today’s landmark flight illustrates the scale of the airline’s ambition to open up destinations that were previously underserved by direct air links to the UAE.

“This inaugural flight represents an important moment in flydubai’s illustrious growth. When we started operations in June 2009, we made a conscious decision to expand as quickly as possible, adding aircraft and destinations at a rapid pace in order to offer more choice and attract more passengers, thereby creating a sustainable and profitable business model for the future. Our strategy has clearly paid off as today we have 21 aircraft and an international route network that spans 28 countries across the GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Sub-continent, Asia and Central & Eastern Europe – making us the fastest growing start up airline in the world ever.”

flydubai set the pace for its network expansion from the outset. It began operations on 1 June 2009 with a full flight of 189 passengers bound for Beirut and a commitment to make a little less complex, a little less stressful and a little less expensive. Announced by the Government of Dubai in March 2008, the vision for the airline was to provide a low cost alternative on already popular routes from Dubai, such as Beirut, as well as to open up destinations that were underserved by direct air links to the UAE, such as Tbilisi, Georgia.

The airline has since established one of the industry’s strongest Middle East networks, forged new trends by targeting destinations that did not previously have international flights such as Abha, Gassim and Yanbu in KSA and become the first to offer direct flights to destinations such as Samara in Russia and now Bishkek in the Kyrgyz Republic. flydubai was also the first low cost carrier to start operations to airports such as Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, Yerevan in Armenia and Baku in Azerbaijan.

Aviation analyst, Saj Ahmad, commented: “Flydubai's expansion is one thing, but when you look at the markets it serves and the continued growth into new cities like Bishkek, you can see they are driving services and forcing their rivals to react.”


flydubai has also invested in its systems, procedures and training programmes in order to support its rapid expansion and ensure consistent levels of service across the board. “As part of Dubai’s commercial and tourism infrastructure, we represent not just Dubai’s ambition and growth but also its commitment to quality. With this in mind, we have married a low cost model with innovation and excellent service. Our success proves that with smart investments, efficient operations and hiring the right people, low cost travel can be convenient, comfortable and cost-effective,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith.

In a region dominated by traditional carriers, flydubai has built a successful low cost airline that does not compromise on quality. The carrier is now the second-largest carrier operating out of Dubai International Airport.

Ahmed said: While flydubai's on board innovation has been well documented, its innovative pricing and route expansion ensures that the carrier will take the mantles of the biggest GCC low cost airline.

“For a carrier so new to the game, there just aren't any superlatives left to describe their rapid ascent.”