flydubai Expands Fleet and Routes in 2025, Boosting Global Connectivity

TDT | Manama

Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

flydubai is soaring to new heights this year, with seven brand-new aircraft already joining its fleet in 2025 — and five more Boeing 737 MAX 8s set to arrive before year-end. These additions are central to the airline’s growth strategy, helping it reach more destinations, improve efficiency, and add capacity on popular routes.

Between April and August 2025, the new arrivals pushed flydubai’s total fleet to 93 aircraft. Once all 12 planes are delivered, the airline will operate over 95 aircraft, serving a growing network of more than 135 destinations across 57 countries. This expansion is not just about numbers — it’s opening up travel to markets that were previously underserved, further cementing Dubai’s place as a leading global aviation hub.

“This is a clear sign of our long-term vision and belief in the future of air travel,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, flydubai’s CEO. “These deliveries will give passengers more choice, better connectivity, and a smoother travel experience. Although we’re getting 12 aircraft this year, we’re still about 20 planes behind our original plans due to earlier delays.”

The airline’s ability to secure competitive financing for its fleet growth shows strong confidence from global banks and leasing companies. The first seven aircraft this year were financed through a mix of Islamic financing from Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank (ADIB), conventional loans from RAKBANK, and sale-and-leaseback deals with JP Lease Products & Services Co., Ltd (JLPS) and JLPS Ireland Limited.

flydubai’s network is also growing rapidly. So far in 2025, the airline has launched flights to 11 new destinations, including Antalya, Al Alamein, Damascus, and Peshawar. Coming up are four new European cities: Chișinău and Iași in September, and Vilnius and Riga in December.

Beyond expanding routes and planes, flydubai is investing heavily in customer experience. Since early 2024, 23 Boeing 737-800s have been completely refurbished with modern cabins, lie-flat Business Class seats, and upgraded inflight entertainment. The project will continue into 2026, ensuring passengers enjoy a consistent, high-quality journey.

To keep pace with its growth, flydubai has increased its workforce to more than 6,500 employees — up 10% from last year — and launched a new Ab Initio Pilot Training programme to prepare the next generation of pilots.

With more planes, more routes, and a stronger team, flydubai’s 2025 expansion is set to connect more people and places than ever before.