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29 March 2024

Flydubai spreads wings to ancillary services

Published
By Bindu Suresh Rai

A Flydubai holiday package may be a short mouse click away very soon, as the low cost carrier looks set to launch this ancillary service, amongst others before year-end. 

Speaking with Emirates 24|7, CEO Ghaith Al Ghaith confirmed the news, saying: “We have continued to add new ancillary services to the airline since its launch, and as promised, Flydubai holiday packages and car rentals should be taking off very soon.” 

When prompted further, he revealed that before end of 2011, the announcement should be made. 

“This a natural progression for any airline, as it grows and Flydubai is on track of the plan that has been drawn out for it. But these things take time and we need to have the right partners in place, which is why we have waited so long,” said Ghaith.

The CEO also reiterated that the two-year-old airline is on track to break even in 2012; he refused to commit to a detailed timeframe.  

The Dubai-based airline, launched in 2009 with a start-up capital of Dh250 million, has been following an aggressive expansion policy, announcing its 44th destination earlier this week with a weekly flight to Ahmedabad from August 27 – it’s third Indian destination. 

Ghaith added: “There is definitely room for more route announcements before the year ends, after all there are still five months remaining.” 

When quizzed if the airline was looking to increase its aircraft order, he denied it saying that the airline was quite satisfied with its 2008 order of 50 planes that was announced at the 2008 Farnborough Airshow.

He added: “The planes are on schedule for delivery with the 18th aircraft taken last week.”

Talking about the recent market fluctuations and its impact on airfares, Ghaith said: “Airfares depend on oil prices, considering 40 per cent of an airline’s cost is its fuel. If prices go up in future, then no airline is left with any choice but to raise prices. Similarly, we have a wait and watch policy in this regard.”