Home Transport Aviation flydubai carries over 4 million passengers in summer The budget carrier operated more than 32,000 flights across a growing network of 120 destinations in 52 countries by Gulf Business September 20, 2023 Image courtesy: flydubai UAE’s flydubai records an exceptional summer, carrying more than four million passengers between June and mid-September 2023, a 30 per cent increase compared to the same period a year ago. The budget carrier operated more than 32,000 flights across a growing network of 120 destinations in 52 countries. Corfu in Greece and Olbia in Sardinia were the latest two additions to flydubai’s seasonal summer routes, offering passengers more options for travel to popular holiday destinations this year. “We continue to create free trade and tourism flows by offering the right product at the right time, making travel accessible to new and previously underserved markets. By doing so, we have enabled more than four million passengers to travel this summer via Dubai’s aviation hub,” said Ghaith Al Ghaith, CEO at flydubai. “We have recorded a 70 per cent increase in passenger numbers to Trabzon and more than 40 per cent to Bodrum this summer. We believe these figures could have potentially been even higher if the aircraft we ordered had been delivered on schedule.” Founded in 1999, flydubai operates a fleet of 78 Boeing 737s. The low-cost airline is expecting further delays to its scheduled aircraft deliveries this year. flydubai’s growth strategy Meanwhile, flydubai signed a wet lease agreement with Smartwings, the Czech Republic-based airline, for four Next-Generation Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The lease agreement, which runs between October 17, 2023, and April 16, 2024, is expected to enable the airline to add more capacity across its network during the upcoming busy travel periods. The all-economy class aircraft will operate on select routes including Chattogram, Colombo, Dhaka, Karachi and Muscat. The carrier has proven its ability to adapt, even during challenging times, thanks to its operational efficiencies and robust business model. The carrier flies to 120 destinations spanning from Italy to Thailand in 52 countries. It has opened more than 75 new routes that did not previously have direct air links to Dubai or were not served by a UAE national carrier from Dubai. Read: Flydubai first UAE carrier to operate direct flights to Mombasa Tags Boeing 737 Budget carrier Dubai flydubai Summer holiday You might also like DP World going ahead with $1.3bn UK port investment GITEX Global, Expand North Star to boost $2.7tn global AI economy RTA awards Dhs600m contract for Oud Metha, Al Asayel road upgrade DAMAC unveils wellness-centric community in Dubai