Dubai's pioneer low-cost airline flydubai continues to challenge conventions within the aviation industry as the carrier added a number of milestones this year making it one of the fastest growing airlines in the region.
Ahead of the Dubai Airshow, flydubai's chief executive officer Ghaith Al Ghaith commented on the carrier's achievements in 2013: "Flydubai would not have been able to grow and develop so quickly if we did not operate in such a stimulating environment for business as the UAE. Our business model, which was built around our ability to be agile and flexible, has helped change the way people around the region travel and create free flows of trade and tourism."
Less than five years since its launch, the airline remains committed to offering passengers convenient and reliable travel services and an unrivalled onboard experience. This commitment was reflected in the developments the carrier has made this year.
The budget airline continues to grow demand for travel to destinations within a five-hour flying radius from Dubai. Benefiting from Dubai's efficient aviation hub, the carrier has opened up routes to the primary airports of more than 46 previously underserved markets across Africa, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Europe, Russia, the GCC, Middle East and the Indian Subcontinent.
The carrier has added 16 new destinations to its expanding network this year, bringing the total number of destinations served to more than 65. It doubled its network in Russia to eight points and added its fourth point in Ukraine. The carrier continues to grow its GCC network with additional points in Saudi Arabia, Oman and increased frequency to Kuwait.
Flydubai's business model is built on the principles of efficiency by maintaining lower operational costs. Maintaining a young fleet with a high utilisation rate are key factors that contribute to the success of this model.
The airline's order of 50 Boeing 737-800s, placed at the Farnborough Airshow in 2008, is due to be fulfilled by 2015. By the end of 2013, flydubai's hub at Terminal 2 of Dubai International Airport will be home to a fleet of 35 aircraft, 13 of which will be configured with Business Class.
In the past two years, flydubai has more than doubled the number of destinations it flies to and has around 1,200 weekly flights. flydubai carried 5.1 million passengers in 2012 and has become the second largest carrier, by passenger numbers, operating out of Dubai International. Flydubai announced net profit for 2012 was Dh151.9 million.
In June 2013, flydubai announced the start of Business Class services, an evolution of its passenger offering.
The decision to launch the premium service was based on the demand for such a product as many of the routes flydubai serves do not have a Business Class option.
"Since day one, flydubai has been committed to delivering a unique passenger experience; we have already differentiated ourselves through our existing product offering, investing in new technologies and therefore it's the next logical step in the evolution of our business model," said Al Ghaith.
Flydubai Cargo, which began operations in 2012, transports a range of goods including perishable items, textiles, electronics, courier items, pharmaceuticals and general cargo.
Copyright 2013 - Khaleej Times, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
