Dubai: Flying the flag of Dubai, low-cost carrier flydubai launched its first flight one year ago today.
Amid concerns about the timing of the launch, as the global aviation industry was suffering its worst losses in history, the airline captured more passengers that a conventional airline would have. It offered the affordable option to those looking to cut back on travel costs.
Starting with Beirut, flydubai has added 15 more routes during the year.
The carrier recently started services to Colombo, Sri Lanka, and will enter the Indian market with flights to Lucknow.
"Two years ago, there was nothing. The airline was a piece of paper," Ghaith Al Ghaith, chief executive of flydubai, told Gulf News yesterday. "Now we have an airline with 16 destinations and, on June 23, there will be 21 destinations. We're almost maturing."
With 50 Boeing 737-800 aircraft on order, flydubai will take delivery of its ninth aircraft this month.
Al Gaith said the plan is to grow within the 4.5-hour flight radius by increasing frequencies on existing routes and launching new ones as it receives all its aircraft by 2016.
