Total revenue for the full year was AED 4.9 billion (USD 1.33 billion), an increase of 11% compared to 2014. The overall yield, in terms of fils per Revenue Passenger Kilometre (RPKM), was under pressure attributable to the strong dollar; the challenging trading environment across the network; disruption resulting from the suspension of flights on some established routes and a large number of recently launched routes with a lead time required to reach maturity.
Operational performance
Ready for business: Business Class was introduced on 17 new routes in 2015 representing 87% of all departures from Dubai. flydubai saw the number of passengers from across its network who travelled in Business Class increase by 72% compared to 2014. Highest demand came from Africa followed by the Subcontinent and the Middle East, highlighting the demand for business class air travel, especially in the markets that have not had access to this service before. Demand for this service is also reflected in the UAE’s position as an internationally recognised centre for business and trade.
Driving demand at second hub: the start of flydubai’s new operations at Al Maktoum International-Dubai World Central saw services become available to Amman, Beirut, Doha, Kathmandu and Kuwait while flights to these destinations continued to be available at Dubai International. Services started on 25 October 2015 and during these first 10 weeks of operations passengers welcomed the choice and convenience offered by the new airport.
Growing in experience and talent: in support of its growing fleet flydubai staff numbers rose to a total of 3,393 including 658 pilots, 1,435 cabin crew and 273 engineers representing 114 nationalities.
Destinations
Since its launch, flydubai has opened 59 destinations on its network that were previously underserved or that did not have direct air links to Dubai. 2015 saw flydubai increase connectivity offered by Dubai’s aviation hub and contributed 29% of the total increase in passengers using Dubai’s airports.
New Aircraft
Starting in May, flydubai will take delivery of 16 new aircraft over the next 24 months. This includes five new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft due to arrive in the second half of 2017. In line with its strategy to maintain a young and efficient fleet these aircraft will support flydubai’s continued growth as well as replace some of the original aircraft in the fleet. During this period, seven aircraft will be retired.
The airline’s route network will continue to strengthen as it sees all the 41 new routes launched in the last two years mature. flydubai has a network of 89 destinations in 43 countries.
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