The Dubai-based airline, flydubai, today announced its commitment to a US$27 billion order for 225 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, to support the growth of its fleet.

This is the third order placed by the airline with Boeing in its eight-year history, following those in 2008 and 2013. The new aircraft order will support its continued expansion within a geographic area that is home to 2.5 billion people.

The airline, by the end of the year, will have a fleet of 61 next-generation Boeing 737-800 and Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. There are also another 70 aircraft due for delivery by 2023.

H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, Chairman of Emirates Group and Chairman of flydubai, said, “Today’s aircraft order underlines the success of flydubai’s founding vision while helping to enhance trade and tourism links across its network, and has contributed to the improved connectivity of Dubai’s aviation hub. In under a decade, flydubai has extended its network to 97 destinations in 44 countries, and we look forward to the arrival of the new aircraft from 2019, to support our future ambitions.”

With today’s announcement, the total number of aircraft that the airline has on order has reached 320.

Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer of flydubai, stated, “Today marks the next chapter in flydubai’s success story. Since our launch in 2009, flydubai has opened 67 previously underserved markets, to serve our passengers across the region. We welcome the continuation of our long partnership with Boeing. We ordered this aircraft model as it has given us the versatility and flexibility to carry 44 million passengers since our first flight.”

“We are extremely honoured that flydubai has chosen to be an all-Boeing operator for many years to come. This record-breaking agreement builds on our strong partnership with flydubai and the other leading carriers in this region,” said Kevin McAllister, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO. “With flydubai’s proven business model and ambitious growth plans, we look forward to hundreds of flydubai 737 MAX aircraft connecting Dubai with the rest of the world,” he added.

Source Link