Dubai-based low-cost carrier, flydubai, has reached an agreement with Boeing on the opening day of the Dubai Airshow 2023 to purchase 30 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners for $11 billion as the airline diversifies its fleet with the introduction of wide-body aircraft to cater to the growing demand on existing routes.

 

flydubai currently operates an efficient single fleet-type of 80 Boeing 737 aircraft and includes: 30 Next-Generation Boeing 737-800, 47 Boeing 737 MAX 8 and 03 Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft. 

 

The airline has an order backlog of more than 130 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to be delivered by 2035. The carrier has built a network of more than 120 destinations in 54 countries spanning from Europe to South-East Asia.

 

The signing ceremony was attended by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai; Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance of the UAE; Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of flydubai; Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO, Stan Deal and Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai.

 

Commenting on the order, Sheikh Ahmed said: "In 2008 when we placed our first ever order for 50 Boeing 737 aircraft, we were confident of the vital role flydubai would play in supporting Dubai’s aviation hub. I am proud today to see flydubai evolve further, surpassing labels and challenging the traditional conventions around travel."

 

"Today’s order reaffirms flydubai’s commitment to enabling more people to travel across its expanding network. The highly fuel-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner will allow flydubai to expand its horizon and cater to the growing demand on existing routes," he noted.

 

On the choice of aircraft, CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith said: "Innovation is at the heart of everything we do at flydubai. We are committed to offering the right product at the right time to cater to the changing market and customer needs. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner offers a perfect combination of operational excellence, fuel efficiency as well as passenger appeal."

 

flydubai is currently evaluating engine options for its first Dreamliner order, he added.

 

On the big order win, Deal said: "The 787-9 is perfectly suited for the needs of flydubai as it looks to open up new, longer-range routes and add capacity across its network. flydubai passengers will enjoy the Dreamliner effect, an experience like no other in the air, flying with more comfort and arriving to their destinations feeling more refreshed."

 

The Boeing 787-9 aircraft can offer seating for more than 290 passengers and has a range of 14,010 km (7,565 nautical miles) in addition to added cargo capacity. Since revenue service began in 2011, the 787 family has operated on more than 380 new nonstop routes around the world. 

 

Half of all scheduled 787 Dreamliner flights are operated in short- and medium-haul markets below 5,000 km (2,700 nautical miles), demonstrating its versatility and efficiency across all network segments.

 

"We are proud of the confidence that flydubai continues to place in our products with an all-Boeing fleet.  We look forward to further strengthening this partnership and to seeing our 787-9 Dreamliners play a central role in flydubai’s strategic expansion plans." he added.-TradeArabia News Service