New routes, more flights: flydubai expands options for Dubai travellers
Airline restores 85% of operations while adding capacity across key markets
DUBAI – flydubai is accelerating the expansion of its network as travel demand remains resilient, with the Dubai-based airline now serving more than 125 destinations across 56 countries.
The carrier has restored 85% of its network and is continuing to increase capacity in markets where demand remains strong.
The airline is currently operating an average of 2,200 weekly flights and expects frequencies to rise as more aircraft join its fleet. The latest expansion comes as flydubai prepares for the winter travel season, with forward bookings indicating continued demand for travel to Dubai and destinations across its network.
flydubai network
Over recent months, flydubai has resumed services and launched flights to several important markets, including Aleppo, Benghazi and Bangkok. The carrier has also increased its Bangkok operations, with flights to Don Mueang International Airport rising from one to three non-stop daily services.
The additional Bangkok capacity gives passengers more options for travelling between Thailand, Dubai and onward destinations, supporting both leisure and business travel.
flydubai will add another destination to its network on September 23, when it launches flights to Pokhara in Nepal. The city will become the airline’s second destination in the country after Kathmandu, opening another direct link between Dubai and Nepal while supporting travel, trade and tourism between the two markets.
Ghaith Al Ghaith, Chief Executive Officer at flydubai, said the past few months had demonstrated the strength and agility of the airline’s business model.
He said the carrier had remained focused on restoring its network safely and efficiently, adding capacity where demand was evident and opening new markets despite a challenging operating environment.
Al Ghaith also highlighted the role of coordination across Dubai’s aviation and tourism ecosystem in supporting the airline’s recovery and network expansion.
Winter demand
flydubai is reporting encouraging forward demand following the summer travel season and expects momentum to continue into the upcoming winter period.
The airline said customers are travelling to Dubai while also looking to explore its expanding network, with leisure travel and visits to friends and relatives continuing to support demand.
During the summer, flydubai operated flights to 11 seasonal destinations, offering direct access to popular leisure markets across the Mediterranean and beyond. Bodrum, Corfu, Mykonos, Santorini and Tivat were among the destinations that remained particularly popular with customers from the UAE and passengers connecting through Dubai.
The carrier is also increasing capacity on year-round routes in response to demand. Almaty, Bishkek and Tashkent are among the markets receiving additional capacity.
Hamad Obaidalla, Chief Commercial Officer at flydubai, said travel demand had remained positive during the summer, particularly across the airline’s seasonal routes.
He added that Thailand continued to attract both leisure and business travellers, with the increase to three daily Bangkok services reflecting growing demand and the airline’s focus on providing greater flexibility.
Dubai connectivity
The combined Emirates and flydubai network continues to provide passengers with access to more than 214 unique destinations across over 100 countries.
The partnership generates more than 4,600 connection opportunities through Dubai, giving passengers greater access to destinations across the two airlines’ networks.
flydubai’s own network spans Africa, Central Asia, the Caucasus, Central and Southeast Europe, the GCC and Middle East, South Asia and Southeast Asia. Almost 100 of its more than 125 destinations are described by the airline as underserved markets, with few or no direct connections to Dubai and the UAE.
The carrier operates from both Terminal 2 and Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport, allowing customers travelling on codeshare services with Emirates to connect through Dubai’s aviation hub.
Obaidalla said flydubai currently operates around 2,200 flights each week and intends to increase frequencies as additional aircraft are received. The airline’s focus remains on further developing its network while supporting the full recovery of operations at DXB to pre-disruption levels.