UAE: Flydubai to receive 12 aircraft this year, still 20 behind its original projections

Flydubai will receive 12 new aircraft this year but remains 20 planes short of its original delivery projections, its chief executive said Thursday.

The Dubai carrier has taken delivery of seven new aircraft in 2025, with a further five Boeing 737 MAX 8s scheduled to join its fleet before the end of the year.

The seven new aircraft have taken the local carrier’s fleet to 93 aircraft, supporting the carrier’s growing network of more than 135 destinations in 57 countries.

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“These deliveries are part of a backlog extensively delayed in recent years, and despite receiving 12 aircraft this year, we remain 20 aircraft behind our original projections,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO at flydubai.

Ghaith Al Ghaith

Saj Ahmad, chief analyst at StrategicAero Research, said as one of the world’s biggest 737 MAX customers and the biggest 737 operator in the GCC, it’s no surprise that flydubai’s success has been borne out of the unique low cost, low fuel burn and efficiency of the 737 MAX to augment its regional and international growth, particularly since expanding flights after the Covid-19 pandemic.

“What makes the 737 MAX special to flydubai is not just the fact that the airline operates a hybrid cabin for premium passengers, but the additional range and payload allow flydubai to expand into markets that simply didn’t previously exist out of the UAE. With over 135 touch points, it’s clear to see flydubai has a lot more room for growth, and this is why the development of Dubai World Central / Al Maktoum International airport is key to their future success,” added Ahmad.

Airlines in the UAE and around the world are facing delays in deliveries, which are impacting their expansion and growth plans.

The carrier said in July last year that its expansion plans had been significantly impacted by Boeing's latest update regarding ongoing delays in its aircraft delivery schedule.

Flydubai has added 11 new destinations this year, including seasonal summer destinations Antalya and Al Alamein as well as Damascus and Peshawar. The carrier is set to add four new destinations in Europe, including Chisinau and Iasi from September and Vilnius and Riga from December.

“Looking ahead, these aircraft will enable us to unlock new destinations, optimise our operations and play an even greater role in supporting Dubai’s growth as an international aviation hub,” added Al Ghaith.

Flydubai added that financing for the first seven aircraft received this year has been secured under Islamic financing from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, conventional debt financing from The National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah, as well as sale and leaseback transactions with JP Lease Products & Services (JLPS) and JLPS Ireland Limited.

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