flydubai aims to top 40 destinations by year-end; expects 50 new B737-800 aircraft by 2016

flydubai CEO Gaith Al Gaith stated the carrier plans to offer more than 40 destinations by the end of 2011 and take delivery of 50 new B737-800s by 2015 (Gulf News, 03-May-2011). He also said that while the recent events in the region have affected traffic to countries such as Egypt and Syria, the decrease in outbound traffic to some countries has led to an increase in inbound traffic from other areas. The carrier operates to 36 destinations at present, after being in operation for 23 months, and recently announced the addition of Riyadh and Jeddah to the network, expanding its presence in Saudi Arabia from three to five key destinations.

Flydubai: "We want to have over 40 destinations by the end of this year with more routes in the region, sub-continent and Eastern Europe, supporting the current network we have. We are an airline that services a five-hour radius and within that radius there are about 2.5 billion people. Any combination of any routes you can think about we will fly to. It's just a matter of time," Gaith Al Gaith, CEO. Source: Gulf News, 03-May-2011.