ArabianBusiness.com - Middle East Business News
Monday, 09 November 2009 00:20 UAE time

YOUR DIRECTORY /

| Share |

FlyDubai launch date 'not affected' by delivery delays

by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  on Wednesday, 07 January 2009
ON SCHEDULE: Low-cost carrier FlyDubai will launch as planned in mid-2009, the company said on Wednesday.

Budget airline FlyDubai has reiterated its planned mid-2009 launch will not be pushed back due to aircraft delivery delays.

A spokesperson for the low-cost carrier told Arabian Business on Wednesday that operations will go ahead this summer, despite Boeing’s aircraft production delay announcement late last year.

In November, a 58-day machinist strike at the US aircraft manufacturer’s Seattle plant halted aircraft production, and subsequent deliveries. Several airlines including FlyDubai are thought to have been affected by the setback.

Story continues below
advertisement

At the time, FlyDubai CEO Ghaith Al-Ghaith said he was confident the airline would launch in mid-2009 following talks with Boeing about aircraft deliveries.

An airline spokesperson said nothing has changed since al-Ghaith talked to the press last year. “We don’t think it [Boeing production delays] is going to delay our plans,” the spokesperson said. “A press release that we issued when we bought the aircraft in July said we planned to launch in mid-2009 and we are still on track for that.”

The spokesperson also dismissed rumours that FlyDubai had frozen recruitment for senior positions following Boeing’s production delays.

“I don’t think that’s accurate and I don’t think we have had any delays in appointing people,” the spokesperson said. “We haven’t announced appointments and we haven’t been engaging with the media because we’re busy getting organised – but we have made senior appointments and we will be announcing them soon.”

During the Farnborough Airshow last July, FlyDubai ordered 54 next generation 737-800s worth $4 billion. Deliveries were scheduled to start this year in preparation for FlyDubai’s summer launch.

The Dubai-based carrier will fly to destinations in the Middle East, North and East Africa, Southeast Europe and Indian subcontinent.

| Share |


READERS' COMMENTS

Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.

Click here to post a comment


Add your Comment
All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *
(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments


Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.


MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM

SHARE PRICE CHECK

RELATED LINKS

  1. Flydubai»

 EMAIL ALERTS

  1. Flydubai

  2. Transportation


CURRENCY CONVERTOR

Tell us your story

READER COMMENTS

  1. The tipping scandal 13
    08 Nov ' 09 at 16:32
    Steve you are 100% right. Managers and bosses have no right to use tip money for any other purpose than todistribute it to the staff...   More  »
  2. The party's just beginning 10
    08 Nov ' 09 at 18:31
    The recession may be coming to an end, but my guess is that there is no party in sight, just a depression! The typical line i hear in...   More  »
  3. Al Habtoor chief upbeat on Dubai future 08
    08 Nov ' 09 at 20:55
    I agree with Mr Khalafs comments, yesterday is gone,tomorrow nobody seen, what he is expecting beyound tomorow ,is his positive...   More  »

Read all user comments >

Gitex 2009

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM