flydubai Boasts Impressive Growth as it Celebrates Second Anniversary
By Flydubai, PRNETuesday, June 28, 2011
DUBAI, UAE, June 29, 2011 -
“Consistent, quality
service makes flydubai a well-loved brand,“ says
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum
Dubai‘s first low cost airline
records incredible growth since its first flight on June 1,
2009
“flydubai would
not have been able to grow and develop so quickly if we did not
operate in such a fantastic environment for business as the
UAE,“says CEO, Ghaith Al
Ghaith
flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost airline, has reached its second
anniversary with an impressive collection of statistics that prove
the airline’s growing success and importance in the UAE’s aviation
market.
To view the Multimedia News Release, please click:
Chairman of flydubai, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al
Maktoum, said: “After just two years in operation flydubai is now a
household name in the region. flydubai has consistently delivered a
quality, affordable service during its two years of operation and
millions of passengers have benefitted from the airline’s
commitment to making travel more accessible and more affordable. It
is this consistent, quality service that has made flydubai a
well-loved brand. With a network spanning the GCC, Middle East,
North Africa, Indian Sub-Continent, Asia and the fringes of Europe,
flydubai is stimulating demand for travel and finding new markets
with an appetite for developing business and tourism links with the
UAE. This brings benefits to all sectors of the economy and I look
forward to flydubai continuing with its good work for many years to
come.”
The airline began operations on June 1, 2009, with a full flight
of 189 passengers bound for Beirut and a commitment to make travel
easier, more accessible and more affordable. Announced by the
Government of Dubai in March 2008, the vision for the airline was
to provide a low cost alternative on already popular routes from
Dubai, such as Beirut, as well as to open up destinations that were
underserved by direct air links to the UAE, such as Baku,
Azerbaijan.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO of flydubai said: “Two years ago this
month our first flight took off. It was a wonderful, exciting time
but I could never have imagined that two years on we would be in
the strong position that we are today. Our strategy was to expand
as quickly as possible, adding aircraft and destinations at a rapid
pace to ensure we reached a critical mass in the shortest possible
time. Today we have 16 aircraft and 36 operational destinations -
making us the fastest growing start up airline ever.
“flydubai would not have been able to grow and develop so
quickly if we did not operate in such a fantastic environment for
business as the UAE.
“One of the biggest challenges for a new company is dealing with
rapid expansion while ensuring the systems, procedures and staff
are in place to maintain consistent levels of service,” added Al
Ghaith. “At flydubai we have achieved that and more. Despite
starting operations at a difficult time for the aviation industry,
flydubai has not only stuck to our ambitious growth plan, but we’ve
added to it by taking on challenges such as bringing all our
maintenance and engineering in-house. We’ve done all of this
successfully while at the same time maintaining an On Time
Performance record that is one of the best in the industry at 85%.
And perhaps most importantly of all our passengers still receive a
friendly welcome when they come on board flydubai.
“We’ve taken a theory on a piece of paper and turned it into a
reality - and a reality that works well. We’ve developed systems,
training programmes, procedures which have made the vision of the
Government of Dubai work in practice. We started with an ambitious
plan and we are making that plan a reality.
“We have achieved an incredible amount in a very short space of
time and that is something I am very proud of. I do not believe
this could have been done anywhere else in the world. The support
we have had from the authorities and the people of the UAE has been
incredible. Dubai is a great place to do business and a very
attractive place for people to come and live, which has meant it
hasn’t been difficult to attract the right staff.
“I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to
some of those responsible for creating this fantastic working
environment for flydubai. Especial thanks must go to our Chairman,
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, whose guidance has ensured we
stay on track to fulfill the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who wanted flydubai to support Dubai’s
commercial and tourism needs.
“Our rapid growth could only have been accomplished with the
support of the GCAA, DCA and Dubai Airports who have worked closely
with us to provide the facilities and operating slots we need for
our expansion. This growth puts pressure on resources and
facilities to grow as quickly as we do and I thank them for their
support and patience.”
Two years into operations, the airline has delivered on its
commitments and despite rapid increases in fleet, network and
passengers, flydubai has managed to keep the quality of its service
high. One measure of how well an airline is performing is to look
at the airline’s Available Seats per Kilometre (ASKM) and Revenue
Per Kilometre (RPKM). From June 2010 - May 2011 flydubai recorded
increases of 161% for ASKMs and 181% for RPKMs over the previous 12
months. Not only are these huge increases, but the fact that RPKM
grew more than ASKM shows that the airline is working smartly and
ensuring more revenue is being generated.
Another measure of success is to look at how many flights are
delayed. flydubai’s record in this area is one of the best in the
industry with On Time Performance recorded at 85%.
In addition the airline has moved towards maturity with the
development of programmes to recruit and train staff at the highest
level, as well as the development of its own in-house maintenance
and engineering team to service flydubai’s rapidly growing
fleet.
More than 80,000 people have applied to join the airline, which
indicates flydubai’s strength in attracting and recruiting the best
talent. With employee numbers now just crossing the 1,000 mark,
this number shows the airline is attracting around 80 applications
for every position, which ensures the airline can choose the very
best candidates.
With a 78% increase in the number of flights, a 100% increase in
aircraft, a 150% increase in routes and a 200% increase in
passengers it is easy to see why flydubai is now the second largest
carrier operating out of Dubai International Airport.
Paul Griffiths, CEO of Dubai Airports, said: “In just two years
flydubai has become a potent force in the region’s aviation
industry. Now the second largest carrier operating out of Dubai
International, flydubai has played a significant role in the
continued success and growth of passenger traffic at the airport.
By opening up new and previously untapped markets, flydubai is
helping to bring in significant volumes of traffic from around the
region to Dubai and beyond. I am confident that flydubai will
continue to go from strength to strength over the coming years and
I wish them all the best for the future.”
Al Ghaith commented: “I am proud to be able to announce such
incredible achievements today. The flydubai team has worked
extremely hard to ensure flydubai reached this point, and this
success is the reward for that hard work.
“Clearly our strategy is paying off. We knew there was a place
for us in the market and we have worked hard and ensured that we
have made that place our own. We’ve taken the business head on,
surmounted all the obstacles and made it work. When I look back
over the two years that we have been flying and see how far we have
come, it makes me very proud.
“Two years into our operations and we are right on track. I am
confident that our strategy is the right one. flydubai is well
placed to continue to forge ahead into new markets with new
innovations in the future. I am confident 2011 will be another good
year for flydubai.”
Note to editors:
About flydubai:
Established in March 2008, flydubai, Dubai’s first low cost
airline, started operations on June 1st, 2009. Set up by the
government of Dubai, flydubai is aimed at making travel a little
less complex, a little less stressful and a little less
expensive.
Based on a low cost business model, flydubai offers a
value-for-money product at an extremely competitive price. Its
website (
important interface for customers, together with a call centre
(+9714 301 0800) and travel partners.
For further information, please contact:
Heather Astbury, PR Manager for flydubai at Mobile: (+971) 50 950
8420; Email:
Meabh O Reilly, Senior Account Manager, DABO & CO at Mobile:
+971 50 915 5735; Email:
.
Tags: Dubai, flydubai, June 29, Middle East, uae
