Boeing delivers first 737 MAX 8 to Flydubai

The delivery is the first of 76 737 MAX airplanes the airline will be adding to their all-Boeing fleet of Next-Generation 737s.

“We are delighted to receive our first Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft from our order made at the Dubai Airshow in 2013," said Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer, flydubai. “This marked the largest single-aisle Boeing aircraft order placed in the Middle East. With this new chapter, we are looking forward to continuing our work with Boeing as we benefit from increased efficiency and are able to offer an enhanced customer experience."

“FlyDubai’s growth in just nine years has been remarkable and Boeing is honored to have been part of this journey,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister. “This delivery marks another significant milestone in our partnership. We are confident that the market-leading efficiency and reliability of the 737 MAX will play a key role in Flydubai’s continued success and complement its current Boeing fleet.”

The 737 MAX family has been designed to offer customers exceptional performance, flexibility and efficiency, with lower per-seat costs and an extended range that will open up new destinations in the single-aisle market.

"As the first MAX customer in the region, we look forward to the further fuel and operating efficiencies that this aircraft will bring to our young modern fleet,” said Ken Gile, Chief Operating Officer, Flydubai. “Our flight crew share our excitement in operating one of the most highly anticipated commercial aircraft to enter service on our network."

Analyst Saj Ahmad commented: “In taking delivery of the first fuel efficient 737 MAX 8, Flydubai’s competitive advantage against its competitors in the GCC will grow even wider. 

“With higher seating capacity versus rivals, the 737 MAX 8 not only caters for Flydubai’s dual class configuration which leverages higher yield business passengers, the new fuel efficiency will slash costs and fly much farther, allowing the airline to open up even more routes.

“Flydubai will be keen not only to exploit this new range to link new destinations and provide more choice for passengers, it will be eager to maintain its cost efficiency edge over the likes of Air Arabia, Jazeera Airways and Flynas  – all of whom fly the heavier, less efficient A320 series of airplanes.”

Ahmad added: “With the move to Dubai World Central starting later this year, flydubai will be able to harness more frequencies and flights from the airport that is less congested than Dubai International – all of these elements put together provide Flydubai with a unique platform that will ensure that it stays not just the biggest low cost airline in the GCC, but also as the fastest growing low cost airline anywhere in the world. It is a given that the current 737 MAX orders at Flydubai are not enough – the existing 737-800 fleet will also have to be replaced eventually, despite the relatively young age right now.

 “It is easy to see flydubai signing up for another 100-plus 737 MAXs to augment its rapid organic growth.”