Flydubai celebrates second anniversary with growing success

Flydubai has reached its second anniversary with statistics that prove the airline's growing success and importance in the UAE's aviation market.

Chairman of flydubai, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, said: “After just two years in operation flydubai is now a household name in the region. flydubai has consistently delivered a quality, affordable service during its two years of operation and millions of passengers have benefitted from the airline’s commitment to making travel more accessible and more affordable. It is this consistent, quality service that has made flydubai a well-loved brand. With a network spanning the GCC, Middle East, North Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe, flydubai is stimulating demand for travel and finding new markets with an appetite for developing business and tourism links with the UAE. This brings benefits to all sectors of the economy and I look forward to flydubai continuing with its good work for many years to come.”

The airline began operations on June 1, 2009, with a full flight of 189 passengers bound for Beirut and a commitment to make travel easier, more accessible and more affordable.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, ceo of flydubai said: “Two years ago this month our first flight took off. It was a wonderful, exciting time but I could never have imagined that two years on we would be in the strong position that we are today. Our strategy was to expand as quickly as possible, adding aircraft and destinations at a rapid pace to ensure we reached a critical mass in the shortest possible time. Today we have 16 aircraft and 36 operational destinations – making us the fastest growing start up airline ever.

“Flydubai would not have been able to grow and develop so quickly if we did not operate in such a fantastic environment for business as the UAE.

“One of the biggest challenges for a new company is dealing with rapid expansion while ensuring the systems, procedures and staff are in place to maintain consistent levels of service,” added Al Ghaith. “At flydubai we have achieved that and more. Despite starting operations at a difficult time for the aviation industry, flydubai has not only stuck to our ambitious growth plan, but we’ve added to it by taking on challenges such as bringing all our maintenance and engineering in-house. We’ve done all of this successfully while at the same time maintaining an On Time Performance record that is one of the best in the industry at 85%. And perhaps most importantly of all our passengers still receive a friendly welcome when they come on board flydubai.

“We’ve taken a theory on a piece of paper and turned it into a reality – and a reality that works well. We’ve developed systems, training programmes, procedures which have made the vision of the Government of Dubai work in practice. We started with an ambitious plan and we are making that plan a reality.

“We have achieved an incredible amount in a very short space of time and that is something I am very proud of. I do not believe this could have been done anywhere else in the world. The support we have had from the authorities and the people of the UAE has been incredible. Dubai is a great place to do business and a very attractive place for people to come and live, which has meant it hasn’t been difficult to attract the right staff.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to some of those responsible for creating this fantastic working environment for flydubai. Especial thanks must go to our Chairman, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, whose guidance has ensured we stay on track to fulfill the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who wanted flydubai to support Dubai’s commercial and tourism needs.

“Our rapid growth could only have been accomplished with the support of the G CAA, DCA and Dubai Airports who have worked closely with us to provide the facilities and operating slots we need for our expansion. This growth puts pressure on resources and facilities to grow as quickly as we do and I thank them for their support and patience.”

With a 78% increase in the number of flights, a 100% increase in aircraft, a 150% increase in routes and a 200% increase flydubai is now the second largest carrier operating out of Dubai International Airport.