Flydubai toward long-haul turn: first 787 Dreamliners on the way
From being a low-cost rib of big mama Emirates, flydubai airline is taking small steps to build its own [...]
Flydubai
DXB
From low-cost rib of big mama Emirates, the airline flydubai is taking small steps to build its autonomy by also renewing its operating model.
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After the introduction of the new Business Class on 737Maxes, in fact, the Dubai-based airline has just announced its first Boieng 787 Dreamliner order.
Dreamliners arrive
This is a first for an airline that until now has operated only single-aisle aircraft and opens up new perspectives. On the very first day of the Dubai Air Show, in fact, Flydubai has signed the agreement with Boeing for the purchase of 30 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft with the goal of opening new routes and increasing capacity on existing routes.
"In 2008, when we placed our first order for 50 Boeing 737 aircraft, we were certain of the vital role flydubai would play in supporting the Dubai hub," said Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of flydubai -I am proud to see the company evolve further today, surpassing labels and challenging traditional travel conventions. The energy-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner will enable flydubai to expand its horizon and meet growing demand on existing routes."
In a nutshell, then, Flydubai's strategy could change in the medium term with the launch of long-haul flights and a greater propensity for a handover with Emirates on some specific routes. Emirates, in fact, has historically been the only one to operate with the widebody or the double-decker A380s., while sister company flydubai developed a network based on the Boeing 737-800 and later the 737MAX variant.
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Crowding in the Gulf
The airline currently has a fleet of 80 aircraft including 737-800s and MAXs and has an order for 136 more of the same model in the pipeline. Despite this new move, however, Flydubai is expected to continue to focus on In markets not covered by Emirates or on routes to medium to large airports expanding the influx of travelers to the Dubai mega-hub.
Flydubai's new move on long-haul and the use of dual-aisle aircraft, finally, seems to be aa response to the offensive launched by the Saudi Riyadh Air-Saudi duo. who have both ordered a "battery" of 787s to grow their respective hubs at Jeddah and Riyadh and challenge the domination of the skies by Gulf carriers.
Flydubai, in fact, will be the ninth carrier in the area (excluding just the two Saudi airlines) to offer long-haul connections in addition to Emirates, Etihad, Oman Air, and Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways and Qatar Airways: a crowding that shows how strategic the entire region is now for all international flights.
The 787-9 ordered by the Emirates carrier can carry 296 passengers for 14,010 km of range. One curiosity, however, makes Flydubai's purchase very relevant: half of all 787 Dreamliners currently flying are operated on short- and medium-haul routes under 5,000 km.
The versatility and efficiency of the Boeing aircraft, therefore, will still allow Flydbai to expand the market on destinations already covered without increasing the number of flights.
Where Flydubai flies to in Italy
The Emirates airline currently flies from Dubai to four Italian airports: Catania, Pisa, Naples and Bergamo. The latter was inaugurated last March 10, and as of April 18 its frequency is daily.
Finally, this summer, the flight from Dubai to Cagliari also operated by the airline was moved to Olbia and is reconfirmed for next year , again during the winter. Emirates also operates a codeshare on all these Italian routes and flights depart from the Terminal 3 Of Dubai International.
